Why doesn't everyone switch to florescent bulbs that use less energy and last longer?

Answer 1

Compact fluorescent light bulbs _reduce_ mercury pollution, even though they contain a very small amount.

It's because fossil fuels contain mercury , and the extra energy an incandescent bulb uses releases more mercury into the environment than is contained in a compact fluorescent.

That's true even if you just throw the compact fluorescent away when it's burned out. If you dispose of them properly (many communities offer the opportunity to do that) it's even better.

This reference is 5 years old. Since then the amount of mercury in a compact fluorescent has been reduced, making it even more true.

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/sustainable/Powerplay%20articles/16Powerplay.Mercury.CFL.html

Answer 2

Until people are smart enough to properly dispose of them, it's probably better they don't. Fluorescent bulbs contains toxic chemicals.

Also, you can't put a fluorescent bulb on a dimmer (for most cases). Fluorescents aren't available in all sizes, colors, shapes.

And really, they cast a stark light. Imagine trying to get your groove on to some barry white, under the glare of a cool white fluorescent.

Not that I'm saying it's not a good thing to convert over, as much as possible to fluorescent, especially, CFL and tube, but it's just not appropriate for every application. AND people need to know the the bulbs need to be disposed of properly, so as not to cause the next environmental problem when they break and release the chemicals into the environment.

Answer 3

People only see the short term...so they buy cheaper bulbs that last a shorter amount of time. I don't know why, but most Americans are this way!

You are right though, they do use less energy and last longer. I use them and love them!

Answer 4

In Europe, incandescent bulbs are being phased out. That will happen here, too. The next thing is LED bulbs, now expensive, but much more efficient than fluorescent, and even longer lasting.

Answer 5

in case you examine the high-quality print, they say the predicted provider existence ( 5 year on your occasion) is consistent with an regular xyz hours on a daily basis utilization. truthfully existence will variety matter on the truthfully utilization. i don't think of many human beings shop a log of their easy bulbs while they're put in. I do be conscious my CF easy final plenty longer than those they replaced. it is likewise genuine that there are high quality subjects with CF lighting fixtures furniture. I bear in mind examining a customer record showing attempt on differnt manufacturers of CF. not purely the provider existence might variety, the measured brigtness is often diverse (decrease) than what the manufacturers claimed each and every so often. My suggestion is, only like quite a few different customer products contained available in the industry, do your homework formerly making your decision.

Answer 6

Primarily becasue they cost more and people tend to buy on price, not on total cost. In addition, some people do not like the harsher white light they give off and/or the visible flicker.

Answer 7

That would be environmentally unfriendly (got I hate writing that, it feels so overused and hippy-ish) because they contain mercury and other toxic chemicals and they're eventually gonna wind up in some kind of landfill or something.

Answer 8

They will do that in California which has about 1/8th the US population. So that should have some impact.

Answer 9

It is not good for the environment (mercury) and it is expensive.

Answer 10

So far I have had several failures and at there price that is not good.