Seven Problems With Cfls , And Other Energy Efficient Light Bulb Alternatives

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are the light bulb of choice for saving energy and money on utilities. No one doubts that CFLs use three or four times less energy than traditional bulbs, and many people have significantly reduced their electric bills by switching to them.

But there are seven situations where CFLs might not be the best option.

1. CFLs Could INCREASE Mercury Emissions

One of the biggest reasons to buy CFLs is that by using less energy, they reduce mercury emissions from power plants. However, CFLs contain small amounts of mercury, a highly toxic poison.

By law, used CFLs must either be recycled or taken to an approved hazardous waste disposal site. Unfortunately, about three out of four CFLs still end up in landfills.

One report by Yale University researchers concluded that, depending on where you live, CFLs may actually increase the total amount of mercury released into the environment. Because power plants use different fuel sources, locations with cleaner fuels could release less mercury. Meanwhile, in places with few recycling options, mercury leaked into the soil and water from CFLs tossed into landfills could actually surpass the amount saved by using less power.

Many hardware stores and local disposal sites now accept CFLs for recycling, and some companies sell pre-paid shipping boxes addressed to recycling plants.

2. CFLs Could Endanger Small Children

Although the amount of mercury in a CFL is much less than that in a can of tuna, the U. S. EPA recommends special steps to follow for cleanup. These steps include airing out the room for 15 minutes, putting all debris and cleaning materials into a sealed container, and avoiding brooms or vacuum cleaners, which might stir mercury into the air.

In addition, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends disposing of the carpet, rug or bedspread on which a CFL breaks. It also suggests that CFLs might not be appropriate in rooms used by infants, small children or pregnant women, who are more susceptible to mercury poisoning.

3. CFLs Don’t Dim

Many homes contain dimmer switches, which save energy by reducing the amount of power needed
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for lighting. But most CFLs do not work on dimmers, and using them may actually damage this kind of switch.

Some CFLs are made to work on dimmer switches, but they are more expensive and they don’t dim smoothly.

4. CFLs Can’t Stand the Cold

CFLs don’t work well in cold weather. They take a long time to warm up to full power in garages, porches and outdoor light fixtures. CFLs are often labeled with their lowest operating temperature, and some are made especially for cold locations.

CFLs may save less energy in cold climates because they don’t produce heat. According to a study by the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology, houses with only five CFLs replacing incandescent bulbs will have an increase in energy costs for heating. Although they do have a positive effect on total energy use throughout the year, lighting savings with CFLs are reduced because of the extra amount of power needed for heating.

5. CFLs Don’t Look Natural

Fluorescent lights normally give off blue-tinted “cool” light, while incandescent bulbs give off a yellowish “warm” light. Some people may not like the cooler atmosphere of CFL bulbs, but manufacturers now offer CFLs in a range of colors from warm to cool.

CFLs also don’t show objects in their true colors. Light bulbs are graded by their color-rendering index (CRI), with a grade of 100 being the color an object appears in daylight. Incandescent bulbs have a CRI near 100, but CFLs are usually graded around 85.

6. CFLs Can Cause Skin Problems

All CFLs give off some ultraviolet light. Even healthy people should avoid too much exposure to UV, but for those who are photo-sensitive, such as Lupus patients, it can cause a severe skin rash.

To prevent such problems, the U. K. Health Protection Agency recommends using only CFLs with an extra layer of glass covering the twisty tubes inside. Die mischung gelangt in hausarbeit schnell schreiben einen teigkneter, wo die erforderliche menge wasser, gegebenenfalls auch fett und milch oder molke, zugesetzt und eingeknetet wird. Otherwise, the study recommends not using CFL bulbs in reading lamps or other light fixtures any closer than one foot away for more than one hour.

7. CFLs Give Off EMFs

Like cell phones and laptops, CFLs give off electric and magnetic fields (EMFs). Many studies have been done on the health effects of EMFs, and most report that the levels given off by electronics, wireless networks and power lines are safe.

No research has shown that EMFs from CFLs have an adverse impact on the majority of people. However, Professor Magda Havas, of Trent University in Toronto, connects CFLs with migraine headaches, burning eyes, digestive problems, heart palpitations, immune system problems, diabetes and even multiple sclerosis.

These symptoms, called Electrical Hypersensitivity (EHS), may affect about three percent of the population.

Alternatives to CFLs

In situations where CFLs don’t make sense, there are alternatives. Although still expensive, light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs can be found in some standard bulb shapes. LED bulbs don’t yet give off much light, but manufacturers are hard at work to improve their brightness.

LED bulbs contain no mercury and they are about as efficient as CFLs. They have the potential to become even more efficient as LED technology improves.

Energy Saver Halogen Bulbs

Some manufacturers are marketing energy saver halogen bulbs, which are about 25 to 30 percent more efficient than standard bulbs. Halogen technology is an improved version of incandescent lighting.

Halogen bulbs cost more than regular bulbs but they last longer. They need to be handled more carefully because they get very hot, and they should not be used if the outer glass coating is scratched.

Energy saver halogen bulbs give off a bright, clear light. They are fully dimmable, contain no mercury, don’t flicker and don’t give off EMFs.

Substituting a 40-watt energy saver halogen bulb for a 60-watt incandescent bulb gives the same amount of light for one-third less
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energy. Energy saver halogen bulbs would be a good alternative to CFLs, at least until LED technology improves.

By:

: http://www. articledashboard. com

Holly B. Martin is author of : Six simple steps to a less expensive, more environmentally responsible home. Visit for information on how to choose the best energy efficient light bulb for every situation.

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