Do compact florescent lights really help save the enviornment?

Question

Is it worth switching to them?

Answer 1

Yes they do. Although they contain mercury and need to be disposed of properly they not only help save the enviornment they save you more than enough money to pay for themselves if used properly.

They use about 1/4 of the energy to produce the same amount of light as a standard bulb. (75% energy savings)

A standard bulb radiates much more heat then a CFL bulb. This accounts for a large amount of the energy savings. If you are running central air in your house you would then also use a little less energy to cool your house because your lights are generating less heat.

Less energy usage not only saves you money but it also helps the enviornment.

Answer 2

It does cut the use of electricity for sure, but recently NPR did a story that talked about the hidden consequences of compact florescent.
Apparently, they found out that they contain a notable quantity of mercury, which is an extremely hazardous material for not only the environment, but for humans and animals as well. When people throw out the lights and they break, there is a good chance of a garbage worker or dump diver coming in contact with the chemical. Extended exposure can lead to an array of extreme health problems and death. Also, the mercury could get into soil, contaminating it for years and years.
The solution to this problem is recycling the bulbs. However, upon investigation, they found that it is not that easy to do. Most recycling centers do not except the lights. You have to go to a special hazardous material recycling event that they found is usually not hosted very often, or the events are so few and far between, that many people have to drive over an hour to get to one.
So, while they may save energy, there is some environmental and health problems that need to be ironed out.

Answer 3

If they ever become the rule instead of the exception then it will have an impact. They are already the lamp of choice in most commercial applications, but that is a different configuration of the technology. While it is true that the replacement lamps can't be dimmed like standard incandescent lamps, all fluorescent lamps can be dimmed. The dimming isn't a feature of the lamp it'a a feature of the ballast. Unlike standard lamps an extra component is required to "start" a fluorescent lamp (ballast). When you use the replacement lamps the ballast is in the "screw in" base, if you use "plug in" style bases it requires a seperate ballast. The advantage to using the replacement lamp is that it easy to switch from a standard lamp to a CFL. The adcantage to using the other type is that you have much more choices and options.

The way things appear under fluorescent lamps is directly tied to the lamp color or temperature of the lamp. It's really a misconception that things only look different under fluorescent lighting. Things look different under any kind of lighting depending on the color.

I'm sure you've heard of cool white bulbs, that is your typical lamp from a retail store and that equates to 3500 degrees Kelvin. Where as incandescent lamps run at about 2700 degrees Kelvin, or a much "warmer light".

The other thing that comes into consideration is CRI or color rendering index. The higher the number the more "true" the light is, and the more you will pay for the lamp. This is a numerical value that relates to the spectrum of light, or how individual colors appear under the light. One example most are probably familiar with is navy blue. You know how it looks almost the same as black at your house, but you can really tell when you get into the sun or under fluorescent lights that it's navy. That's because of the color spectrum of the different types of lamps.

Answer 4

It SO worth switching. You pay so much money to heat your house because of gas prices. Anytime you can save money on your electric bill is a plus. And yes it can help the environment. Some lady on Ellen said if everyone just changed one light bulb, its like taking 800,000 cars off of the road. Pretty interesting stuff. All of the light bulbs in my house are compact florescent. So if my neighbors dont use them.. Ive got their back! LOL

Answer 5

They use about 25% of the power as incandescent light bulbs and they last longer. There are very few that can dim like incandescent ones do. They do last a lot longer than incandescent lights too.

One day we may be eventually switching to LED's. They are already starting to use them for flashlights, car lights, and Christmas lights. LED's use one tenth the power that incandescents do and an LED bulb never goes out.

One thing to remember though, colors look different under fluorescent lighting than they do under incandescent lighting.

Answer 6

No florescent light helps the environment. Do an internet search for all dangers to personal health. Switch to Full Spectrum lights.

Answer 7

They use only about 25% of the power for the same amount of light as incandescents. In addition they last 4 to 8 times as long.
The largest cost in lamps is the power they use over their lifetime, not the price of the bulbs themselves.

Answer 8

Yes they do! They use a lot less energy and last a lot longer so you don't have to buy them NEARLY as often. ALso, on a personal note, My family uses them and I LOVE how much cleaner the light seems to be in the house compared to the old bulbs.

Answer 9

They don't save the environment but they do help a lot. Another plus is you will save money on your electric bill and you wont have to buy light bulbs as often.

Answer 10

of course it does...


if every house in the world changed at least 2 regular florcent lights to the compact ones it would be like taking 1000000 cars off the earth