Electricity Use in Homes and Businesses

Question 4 • TX-Physics B

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) cost more than incandescent lightbulbs and have lower wattages than incandescent bulbs.

Answer

CFLs use the same amount of energy as incandescent lights, but they last much longer and do not need to be replaced as often.

CFLs use more energy as a result of the lower wattages, but electric companies charge less for energy used in CFLs.

CFLs will cost less to run in the long term because they use less energy than the incandescent bulbs as a result of the lower wattage.

CFLs will cost less to run in the long term because they are brighter and would need to be on for fewer hours.

Explanation

A bulb’s wattage indicates how quickly it uses energy. Because CFLs have lower wattages, they use less electricity than incandescent bulbs when operated for the same amount of time, which can reduce running costs over time. Choice C correctly explains this; choice A is wrong because CFLs do not use the same amount of energy.

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