Just a few years ago, an energy efficient LED bulb might have cost you $20 or more. But today, you may be able to get as many as six bulbs for that price, and consumers are taking notice.

LEDs were always extremely energy efficient and long lasting -- the high upfront cost was the last thing holding them back from being the obvious choice for most household lamps and fixtures. But while we waited for those prices to drop, many consumers turned to CFL bulbs -- the curly ones -- as a more affordable way to reduce their energy consumption.

Now that LEDs are so accessible, some homeowners are upgrading and wondering what to do with their collection of CFLs, some of which may have thousands of hours of light left in them.

Managing the Mercury

The primary reason why CFLs need to be handled and disposed of carefully is because each bulb contains a small amount of mercury. The mercury content is so low that you don’t need to worry excessively about health risks in the event of a broken bulb, but if thousands of CFLs pile up together in the same landfill, the combined mercury content could prove hazardous. Even in trace amounts per bulb, the risk of soil and water contamination is real.

To avoid this problem, every CFL bulb should be disposed of at a recycling facility, whether it’s broken, whole, burned out or still good.

Recycle Right

Not every recycling facility accepts CFLs. If you have curbside recycling, check the service provider’s website for information specific to CFLs. It may be that they’re able to collect and recycle these bulbs, but only if they’re packaged separately for disposal. Some facilities may require you to deliver CFLs yourself.

In addition to municipal recycling centers, CFL recycling is offered by many business, including hardware and electronics stores. If you’re looking for your nearest CFL recycling location, use Earth911’s recycling search tool.

Accidents Happen

CFLs are made of breakable glass -- a fragile barrier containing the mercury vapor within. Because of the low mercury content, you don’t need to call out the hazmat team if you accidentally break a bulb. But as a precaution, you should still treat cleanup more seriously than you would with an ordinary incandescent bulb.

If a CFL bulb breaks, immediately clear the area of people and pets. If possible, open a window or door to ventilate the room. Turn off the HVAC system so that the mercury isn’t circulated throughout the home.

When it’s time to clean up the mess, leave the vacuum behind. Like your HVAC system, it can blow the mercury vapor around your home. Instead, sweep up all the glass and bulb components into a dustpan and deposit them into a plastic bag.

Use a damp paper towel to wipe down the area, and if necessary, use sticky tape to collect small glass shards. Place all cleaning materials into the bag and seal it up. Afterward, take the bag to your nearest CFL recycling location for safe disposal.

And if you need help with more substantial lighting issues, don’t take the risk of playing with electricity alone -- call up your local, licensed electricians.

Until recently, home automation seemed like a distant dream to many homeowners. Thanks to the advancement of smart technology, we now have the ability to turn lights on or off, open or close the garage door, adjust the temperature setting, and so much more – all with the simple push of a button. Now, you won’t have to wonder for hours on end if you left your bedroom light on or if you your garage door is open; you can achieve instant peace of mind!

The technology behind home automation is sophisticated, but before you panic let us ease your worries. Smart systems were designed to add convenience to your life, not complication. Operating such a system is fairly simple; you need only have your smart phone, tablet, or remote control on hand.

There are numerous benefits to using smart technology within your home. Should you have any further questions about installation or operation, feel free to give us a call!

Home automation can supply you with an incomparable level of assurance. If you’re returning to your home late at night and are afraid of the dark, you can automate your lights to turn on before you arrive. Or, if you’re going on vacation for a few days or even a few weeks, you can schedule your lights to turn on and off at certain times to act as a deterrence.

Apart from lights, you can also use smart controls with garage door and house doors. If you’re unsure whether your kids remembered to lock the door when they left or if your garage door is still open, you can take control with the help of your app.

In addition to light control, you can also dictate the temperature of your home when you’re away. When it’s particularly cold outside, you may want to turn the heat on when you leave work so that your home is warm and cozy when you arrive. Further, some systems even track your heating and cooling usage. This gives you valuable insight into your unit’s performance and energy efficiency.

We’ve all let out a loud gasp in fear of having forgotten to turn something off at home or to lock a door. Now, instead of gasping, you can let out a sigh of relief. Simply open your app and check on the status of your concern. When you have kids or a demanding job, it can be hard to remember every little thing you need to do. With home automation, however, you can enjoy peace of mind.

When people go on vacation, they often entrust others with their home. Of course, you can still do that, but with home automation you can retain all control.

If you have any further questions or concerns about home automation, feel free to give us a call! We are happy to help determine what systems will best suit your home and needs.

Before you take a dive in your pool or plan that nice vacation, the first thing you should do this summer is call for an electrical safety inspection in Fairfax, VA. Yes, swimming pools and summertime getaways are great, but nothing is more comforting than knowing your home is equipped with electricity that can keep you safe. The risk of electrical fires, shocks, and power outages remains persistent than ever. Don’t simply think you won’t experience any of those hazards. It’s always the presumptive homeowners that wind up in trouble. When in doubt, get an inspection!