If you don't feel like looking through all of these questions for the answer you're looking for, just email us at info@qekeg.com. We'll get back to you within a couple days.
Each link below jumps to an answer further down on the page.
About Compact Fluorescent Lights
- What are Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)?
- Don't fluorescent lights give off ugly light?
- Fluorescent lights start slowly and flicker, right?
- Will CFLs fit in my existing light fixtures and lamps?
- Can I use CFLs with a dimmer switch?
- Do CFLs work outdoors? In the cold?
- What types of lights are available?
- How many CFLs should I get?
- Which of the old-fashioned bulbs in my home should I replace?
About the Savings
About the Agreement
Replacing Burnt Out Lights
About Light Fixtures
Environmental Benefits
About Compact Fluorescent Lights
What are Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)?
Compact Fluorescent Lights (or CFLs) are similar to old-fashioned, incandescent lights, but they produce light by applying electricity to mercury vapor in argon or neon gas instead of applying electricity to a filament. CFLs use about one quarter of the energy of regular bulbs and they last about 10 times as long.
Don't fluorescent lights give off ugly light?
Some types of fluorescent lights produce harsh, white light that many people don't like. But newer types of fluorescent lights produce warm, yellow light identical to the light given off by the bulbs you've got in your home right now.
Fluorescent lights start slowly and flicker, right?
Not anymore. When compact fluorescent bulbs were first invented, they started slowly and flickered, but the new bulbs start and achieve full brightness in seconds and don't flicker at all.
Will CFLs fit in my existing light fixtures and lamps?
CFLs tend to be a bit larger than their old-fashioned equivalents, but most fixtures will accommodate CFLs without any problems. If you order lights from us, we will ensure that the lights fit properly before installing them.
Can I use CFLs with a dimmer switch?
Some CFLs work with dimmer switches, but not all. Let us know if you want your lights to work with dimmer switches and we'll get you the right lights.
Do CFLs work outdoors? In the cold?
Many do, but there are still some that don't. Let us know if you require lights that start in the cold and we'll get you outfitted with the appropriate technology.
What types of lights are available?
We presently offer two types of Compact Fluorescent Lights. A 60 Watt replacement and a 100 Watt replacement. Both are virtually identical to incandescent lights in terms of the colour of their output (yellow instead of harsh, white light).
How many CFLs should I get?
To take advantage of our offer, you need to install at least 10 lights. In the future, we may lower this requirement.
Which of the old-fashioned bulbs in my home should I replace?
You'll get the greatest energy savings if you replace those bulbs that you use the most. This probably means installing CFLs in your kitchen, living room, dining room, and perhaps your porch (of course, if there is somewhere else in your home where you use lights extensively, install CFLs there, too).
About the Savings
How much will I save by using compact fluorescent lights?
After installing CFLs in your home, you'll save money for two reasons. First, you'll save money each month on your electricity bill because CFLs use a lot less energy than old-fashioned bulbs. Your savings will vary according to the cost of electricity where you live. We estimate this cost using the best information available to us, typically reports from the electricity companies serving particular provinces and territories. Here is the formula we use to determine your energy savings:
Hours of light operation per day X number of CFLs installed X average number of days in a month X electricity price per kWh (kilowatt-hour) / 1000 Watts per kWh
You'll achieve a second source of savings because you no longer need to replace burnt out, old-fashioned light bulbs as long as you are making use of our service. Old-fashioned bulbs tend to need replacing every 8 months or so, a cost which we've translated into a monthly cost (essentially, the amount of money you would have to set aside each month in a "light bulb fund" so that you'd have enough to replace the bulbs in your house every 8 months). The formula used is:
Hours of light operation per day X number of CFLs installed X average number of days in a month X cost of incandescent bulbs ($0.75) / average lifetime of incandescent bulbs (1000 hrs)
Will my electricity bill always be lower than it is now?
Energy prices often fluctuate and may rise or fall in the future. If energy prices rise, your electricity bill will also rise. However, after installing CFLs in your home, your energy bills will always be lower than they would be if you continue using your old-fashioned bulbs.
What happens if my electricity provider raises prices?
Your electricity bills will become more expensive, but not as expensive as they would be if you continue to use your old-fashioned bulbs.
Will I save money on my air conditioning costs?
Yes. Energy efficient lights produce 75% less heat than regular bulbs. That means you'll spend a lot less money keeping your house cool.
About the Agreement
What methods of payment do you accept?
We currently accept:
- Cheque
- Money order
Soon, we'll start accepting:
- Direct deposit
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- PayPal
How long must I pay the monthly fee?
There is no obligation to pay the monthly fee for a particular length of time. Any time you wish to go back to using your old bulbs, just let us know. We'll send you an empty box with prepaid return postage so you can return the used CFLs to us.
What happens if I move?
Take the lights with you when you move! You'll continue to save money on your electricity bill (find out how much), and letting us know that you've moved is easy - just call us at (604) 505-5484.
Will the monthly fee ever increase?
Qekeg retains the right to raise or lower the monthly fee after a period of five (5) years after the start of your agreement with us. However, if we raise prices, you have the right to:
- Cancel the agreement with us and keep all the lights already installed in your home; OR
- Continue with our service with the new monthly fee - our part of the bargain remains the same. We'll always replace burnt out lights any time and for free.
Lowering the monthly fee shall not alter the agreement in any way outside of the fee change.
Replacing Burnt Out Lights
What do I do if one my lights burns out?
Contact us as soon as it's convenient for you, and we will send a replacement through the mail. Don't forget to recycle the burnt out light (see a list of locations in your area that will recycle CFLs).
If a CFL burns out, will I have to wait for you to send me a new one?
Yes, but you won't have to wait long - we will ship you a new light overnight! You'll get the same fast service every day of the year, including weekends and holidays.
If there is a delay between the time my light burns out and I receive a replacement, will I have to pay the full monthly cost for the burnt out light?
No, for the month in which your light burns out, we will only charge you for half of the monthly cost of one installed light.
About Light Fixtures
I'm buying new fixtures and would like to put CFLs in them - what should I get?
CFLs operate most efficiently and achieve the longest life when they are kept relatively cool. When buying or building new fixtures, consider the following:
- Avoid recessed fixtures that are completely enclosed. CFLs in this type of fixture will use more energy and burn out faster.
- Do not mix incandescent bulbs with CFLs in the same fixture. Incandescent bulbs burn very hot, and will decrease the life and efficiency of your CFLs if they are placed together.
- Generally, fixtures that allow for greater air circulation are better (see some designs we recommend)
Environmental Benefits
By how much will I reduce my carbon emissions?
The amount of carbon you will prevent from being put into the atmosphere depends on the method of electricity generation used by your energy provider. We are working on an easy way for you to see exactly how much carbon emissions you will save.
I didn't know using my old-fashioned bulbs produced carbon. What the heck are you talking about?
It's not that incandescent bulbs themselves produce CO2--it's the energy generation required to power them that pollutes. Because incandescent bulbs use more energy than CFLs, power plants have to work harder and produce more pollution to keep them lit. Replacing your incandescent bulbs with CFLs means those same power plants do not need to generate as much power and will pollute less.
Are there any other benefits?
Yes! Because most people need only to replace their lights once every 5 years instead of once every 8 months, you will consistently contribute less waste to your local landfill by using CFLs.