Everything you wanted to know about Compact Fluorescent Bulbs, including the mercury problem

KnoxViews ^ | 5 May 2007

[P-40]

I’ll see if I can pull some up when I get back home tonight. I’ve been meaning to identify just what they are. They look more like red-eyed birds from the wrong side of town. :)

[gitmo]

I outfitted my house with CFLs. (1) It’s true they don’t last in lights with dimmers. A couple of hours max. (2) It looks like the lifetime of CFLs is about the same as incandescents. I’m looking at an overhead light right now with 3 out of 4 CFLs burned out.

I personally prefer the light from the CFLs, but I wonder if they save any money at all.

[Cyman]

I thought LED’s were the answer to our illumination/power/global warming impending catastrophes???

[hermitt_guy]

I’m usually a lurker in these forums but I’ll throw in my two cents on CFL bulbs. I’ve been using them all over my place for a year now, about twelve bulbs in all with one burnout in a year.

My main reason for trying them was that regular bulbs were burning out on what seemed like a monthly basis, every time I turned around another bulb would blow.

So with one CFL failure out twelve in a year I’m satisfied that they are doing what I bought them for.

Oh yes, I have also seen a drop in my electric bill, which is a nice added bonus to my original reason for buying them.

[Lady Jag]

Not a moth maven, I have seen some pretty exotic ones (to me). The rare Lunar Moth is long and narrow and green.

[Lady Jag]

Incoming!

[ChessExpert]

The articles assumption that all electricity came from coal was clearly wrong. Thanks for taking an independent look!

[ChessExpert]

Thanks for the article. It is very informative.

We currently use CFLs in two lights. I like to use them when I keep the light on continuously. For example, to give a little light to an otherwise dark room, or when we will be away from home but want the house to look lived in. I find that they are not bright enough for reading a book.

I applaud technological change. I think most everyone wants to save money. People will evaluate life cycle costs, among other variables. I think the emphasis on the environment is overstated from all directions. Prevent global warming? Give me a break. The threat to health from mercury is probably overstated too.

Mandatory usage is really offensive to me. It brings to mind the adage: Liberals like any policy, provided that it is mandatory.

[Tribune7]

Mandatory usage is really offensive to me.

Ditto that. I've had a lot of luck with CF bulbs and I recommend them highly, but incandescents still make sense in a lot of uses.

And mandates are offensive as a matter of principle.

[ChessExpert]

“Who will police the disposal of the millions of CFLs that will be used in the United States?”

Good question.

It seems we have a threat that may be exaggerated, mercury pollution. But some say we should accept it due to the “greater threat” that is probably nonexistent, man-made global warming. The constant in each case is that we need a government solution. That is great for government, and for the liberal/socialist press that prods them on, and for some in industry. But it is bad for the rest of us.

My view is that CFL use should be voluntary. That is number one, two and three.

Also, one might ask "big box retailers" to help with the recycling, as disposal is an issue with the technology they are offering. I'm all for giving them the credit they are due.

[ChessExpert]

“My main reason for trying them was that regular bulbs were burning out on what seemed like a monthly basis, every time I turned around another bulb would blow.”

That is the main appeal they have for me.

[hoosierham]

"I take it you don't clip coupons"

No I do not;I buy my food and other grocery store items at low price stores like Aldi and I do have one of those Kroger cards.They must wonder how I live on the few items logged by the card.

Nor will I wait in line for 20 minutes at one gas station because their price is 5 cents a gallon less.I will pay the extra 50cents or one dollar for my fill-up and save the time.Now if there was no significant wait ,I would certainly buy the best price gas.

Incandescent bulbs can often be bought for 25 cents each during sales.They simply work well enough. I have bought a couple dozen of the CFL and been less than pleased by the light ,the radio buzzing,and the short life of those from several years ago. I do note the prices are now about a fourth of the money I wasted.

Not many people are really good at calculating total system lifetime costs and benefits.For instance,I saw a company hire a "high-powered" executive to put it back on track.....his first act was to eliminate hundreds of ordinary workers jobs,Interestingly,if you took the average workers salary,doubled it to allow for benefits and pensions,multiplied the number of workers,why the total was a close match to the new "super" executive's salary.So where was the savings?And keep in mind the employees of this company(retail) tended to spend a lot of their wages right back at the company stores.Pretty good guess the one exec didn't spend much there.So how did that benefit the store,the company,the community?

[hoosierham]

" I thought LED’s were the answer to our illumination/power/global warming impending catastrophes???"

Manufacturing semiconductor require using some pretty nasty chemicals;I tried the greenish electroluminescent panels nightlights.They were fine at first,use very little electricity and the fact I found them on clearance at 3 for a dollar at Home Depot didn't hurt! Too bad the light dims over several months ;after six months in the socket they were useless.Not the years of use expected and advertised.

[EVO X]

Now if there was no significant wait ,I would certainly buy the best price gas.

I am like you. I don't wait in line. You have to wait a ~1000 hours before you see the profit from CFL use, but you aren't actually standing in line.

[P-40]

That looks about right!

The Black Witch moth is one of the most interesting I have seen.



Here is what a typical night out can look like.

[Lady Jag]

The black witch is pretty! It looks pearly and HUGE. What does it eat, squirrels?

We’re not quite warm enough to attract a lot of moths and I don’t recall seeing that variety on my screens. Now you have me curious.

One of your legacies shall be that whenever I see moths congregating on my screens I’ll think of you.

I hope I can reciprocate with moth pics when mine come along.