In 2007, the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Light & Power, and SaskPower partnered for a more energy-efficient Saskatoon. They joined together to give away 8,000 compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in our city to encourage residents to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and save money by using less electricity to light their homes.

This partnership is part of the City of Saskatoon's efforts to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions in the community, and part of Saskatoon Light & Power's and SaskPower's ongoing efforts to help their customers find ways to manage their electricity cost and reduce their impact on the environment.

The facts

1. CFLs save you money. They use at least 66% less electricity than a standard incandescent bulb. Changing a single 60-watt incandescent light bulb to a 15-watt CFL could save you $45 in electricity costs over its life.

2. CFLs are just as bright as standard incandescent bulbs. The type of light produced by a CFL varies, just as an incadescent bulb's light varies depending on brand and placement. However, testing proves CFLs give off as many lumens (the standard used to compare bulbs) as equivalent incandescent bulbs.

3. CFLs mean a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. CFLs use less electricity, which reduces emissions of greenhouse gases from electrical generation plants.

4. CFLs last longer. CFLs can last up to 10 times longer than a standard incandescent light bulb, which means fewer trips to the hardware store and fewer trips up the ladder.

5. CFLs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Whatever your needs (dimmers, pot lights, vanity/bathroom lights, lights that have the same shape as an incandescent bulb, etc), there is a CFL for you.

6. Choosing an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL is important. The ENERGY STAR symbol means you are looking at the most energy-efficient product on the market. An ENERGY STAR CFL means that the bulb meets strict specifications for quality, including long life, colour and brightness as well as energy savings.

7. CFLs are safe to use in your home. CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury (1/5th the amount found in a watch battery), but even if they were to break, you and your family would be safe. You can dispose of your CFL at no cost at one of the City's Household Hazardous Waste Days when you are finished with it.