They don’t last longer. I bought a CFL floodlight last fall, 8000 hours it says on the package but it stopped working within the last two weeks.
I bought a set of 3 ca while back and one of them was broken in the package. I wonder if I should sue somebody.
I do know, Google results not withstanding, that in the late 90's and early aughts, companies spent beaucoup bucks to put in those grid panels in their overhead fluorescent fixtures, especially in areas where computer monitors were being used. Will the next step be for us to all wrap our light fixtures in plastic grids? There is probably chapter and verse on that in OSHA regs but my desire to know is not enough to start on that safari!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Perhaps we should have tried higher wattage bulbs or a different brand.
That's all I need to know about CFBs.
So, now the conservative thing is to trash low-energy lights?
(leave the Mecury bulbs on the shelf)
(the inefficient incandescent light bulb HOAX)
Not one of these "energy saving" Mercury bulbs is made in America....they are all made in China.....Trade takes the blame....fear is the game.
Just think what our land fils and home trash compactors will be adding to the environment.
They seem to last very long at my house. We only use them for those places where you hate replacing the bulb, like high up outdoor lighting, or places where you like to leave a light running all night for safety.
I am concerned about the disposal. Last year when the law changed to make it illegal to toss batteries in the trash, we started saving a bucket of used batteries. I kept trying to return them to stores like Radio Shack or other battery sellers. No dice. In Europe you can return this kind of hazardous waste to the retailer you bought it from, and they have appropriate containers in their stores. So I called my city to find out just where I was to bring my batteries. The ONE hazardous waste center is a good 45 minutes’ drive from my home and there is none in my entire large city. I dumped all my batteries into my trash.
I am sure there is no one who is bringing each used battery to the proper disposal site. I am sure NO ONE will bring these mercury-filled lightbulbs there either. If you don’t make it somewhat convenient to dispose things safely, it is just not going to happen.
I think it’s a safe assumption light bulbs will be thrown in the trash and not recycled, unless, of course, all bulbs are properly registered and the buyers’ backgrounds are checked.
I keep seeing this to which I respond "how many people have coal fired power plants in their house?" Nobody I know.
My power comes from hydroelectric so this doesn't apply to me.
Hardly any objectivity in this article. Comparing mercury in bulbs to coal fired plants is a stretch to say the least. May as well compare the mercury manufacturing the bulbs as well.
Pray for W and Our Troops
I don’t like these. They cost more, use a lot more energy to make, and the mercury problem is real.
As another poster said, if you sell you home, and then have a Mercury test, you are in to some rather hefty bills.
Not bad for some applications, but not something you should put in your home.
We put two of them in our living room lamps. After a year or two the shade fabric began to crumble. UV light will decompose synthetic fibers. Can’t remember what the wife paid to replace them.
No thanks.
I tried a few about 5 years ago. 2 big drawbacks . . .
*They were too dim. Mother’s eyesight is not the best. We need 200w lights for her to see clearly.
* The screw-in base with the transformer in it cought on fire on one of them.
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Marking
I have them all over (and outside) my house and at my business. The one 18 feet up on my front porch has burned for about three years (and we frequently leave it on all night). Some are better than others. New ones I’ve bought at Sam’s burn bright, turn on immediately and burn a looooong time. I’ve been using them for years and years. Just not having to change them every month like incandescents is good enough for me. The energy savings is like a bonus.
It would appear it is not correct.
And even this is over stated. In both examples the calculation is based on 100% coal power generation. Coal provides less than half the electrical power in the US. When using realistic numbers for American power generation, the CFL causes more mercury pollution.