Seven Problems With Cfls, And Other Energy Efficient Light Bulb Alternatives
Compact unobscured 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 acknowledged 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 gift 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 fini that, depending on where you live, CFLs may actually increase the total amount of mercury released into the environment. As ability plants use different fuel sources, locations with detergent 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 govern the amount saved by using less gift.
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 certain steps to follow for cleanup. These steps entail airing out the room for 15 note, putting all refuse 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 one's move. It also suggests that CFLs might not be fit in lodgings 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 qualification needed for lighting. But most CFLs do not work on dimmers, and using them may actually damage this friendly of protuberance.
Some CFLs are made to work on dimmer switches, but they are more helpful 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 toasty up to full potentiality 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 seeing of the extra amount of capability needed for heating.
5. CFLs Don ' t Glimpse Natural
Fluorescent lights normally give off despondent - tinted “cool” light, while incandescent bulbs give off a colourless “warm” light. Some people may not near the scullery ambience of CFL bulbs, but manufacturers now offer CFLs in a scale of colors from summery to cool.
CFLs also don ' t show objects in their true colors. Light bulbs are graded by their color - saying register ( CRI ), with a grade of 100 being the color an item appears in daylight. Incandescent bulbs have a CRI near 100, but CFLs are recurrently 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 - hypersensitive, equivalent as Lupus patients, it can originate a severe skin hasty.
To prevent parallel problems, the U. K. Health Protection Agency recommends using only CFLs with an and layer of glass canopy the twisty tubes inside. Different, the study recommends not using CFL bulbs in itemizing lamps or other light fixtures any closer than one stub away for more than one break.
7. CFLs Give Off EMFs
Like cell phones and laptops, CFLs give off potent and lusty fields ( EMFs ). Many studies have been done on the health effects of EMFs, and most report that the levels liable off by electronics, wireless networks and competency wares 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, unaffected 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 useful, light - emitting diode ( LED ) bulbs can be raise 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 likely 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 more desirable tragedy of incandescent lighting.
Halogen bulbs cost more than regular bulbs but they last longer. They need to be handled more carefully owing to they get very hot, and they should not be used if the outermost glass coating is bunged up.
Energy saver halogen bulbs give off a bright, shining 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 twin amount of light for one - third less energy. Energy saver halogen bulbs would be a good alternative to CFLs, at rudimentary until LED technology improves.
