Action line 90204 - light bulbs Published Feb. 26, 2009 By Anonymous 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Complaint: I was noticing that the light bulbs in the dorms, are all incandescent. I believe that as a whole, we should switch from incandescent to fluorescent light bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs might seem cheaper to buy. However, in the end fluorescent light bulbs save a lot more money and electricity. Fluorescent use 66-75% less electricity to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb. All the while operating for over 8 times the the life of an incandescent, which typically are using electricity to generate around 90% heat and only 10% light. Fluorescent light bulbs last anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 hours, where as an incandescent light bulb last at most 1000 hours. Therefore not only would we be saving money on the electricity we would be changing light bulbs less often, saving money in that respect as well. Replacing a 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 20-watt CFL will reduce your consumption of electricity by roughly 550 kilowatt-hours -- over the life of that bulb. Response: Greatly appreciate your concern for saving energy. 39 CES has already started initiatives within the dorms and the base to replace our existing lights with fluorescent ones. All exterior lights on the dorms are fluorescent or high-pressure sodium, another energy-efficient light bulb. 39 CES is currently changing out all incandescent light fixtures in the day rooms. For dorm residents who would like fluorescent lights in their rooms, light bulbs are available at the dorm manager's office in building 962, room 8105, ext. 676-9188. Any lights that are not operational after bulbs have been changed should be called into CE service call at 676-7008. Thanks much.