They use less than 1/4 of the power regular light bulbs do, not to mention drastically lower your electric bills.
2007-10-03 13:45:11 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment ➔ Green Living
I remember this show on mythbusters that proved everything you just said wrong. Thats why I wont be changing my lights any time soon, leaving the lights on and never turning them off they burned out within hours of each other, turning them off and on took them both roughly 10,000 times of flipping the switch for the bulbs to burn out, and it took the same amount of electricty to keep the bulbs lit, they said it would save roughly $.02 a month on your electric bill which just isnt worth it to me. I can find that on the street in a day to make up for my loss.
2007-10-03 15:08:44 · answer #1 · answered by sawxwoodsy1980 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer that said the bulbs contain mercury isn't telling the whole story.
If anyone is worried about the mercury in compact fluorescents, they should remove ALL fluorescents from their home. The long ones contain 2-10 times as much mercury, and are much easier to break. I wonder why those were never considered a serious hazard in the home?
Using compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) actually reduces mercury pollution.
Fossil fuels contain mercury. Using incandescent bulbs causes more mercury to be emitted from power plants. More than the tiny amount (0.005 grams or less) that is in a CFL.
It's better if you dispose of old CFLs properly so that even the tiny amount of mercury is not released. But, no matter how they're disposed of, CFLs reduce mercury pollution.
It's also better if you clean up a broken one properly. The most important things are; don't use a vacuum cleaner, use a broom and dustpan. And don't cut yourself on the glass. More here:
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/sustainable/Powerplay%20articles/16Powerplay.Mercury.CFL.html
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp
By the way, what do you think lights up the screens most of you are looking at right now? Fluorescent lights. With mercury.
2007-10-03 15:48:10 · answer #2 · answered by Bob 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Energy efficient light bulbs, CFL's I assume, are great, and on top of what you mentioned they last about ten times longer than traditional bulbs, but you seem to be ignoring a serious problem with these bulbs.
The bulbs contain powdered mercury. If you break a bulb, the room where it happened needs to be professionally decontaminated. Picking it up yourself or even worse, vacuuming is the worst possible idea. As far as things you do not want to breath, powdered mercury ranks on a level with asbestos. The neurological problems that it can cause are terrible. A professional clean up is the only way to safely handle a broken bulb and, at least where I live, those begin at $2000 per room. That is also why CFL's cannot be thrown out in the trash, to prevent any possible ground water contamination and risks to garbage crews. As of now there is no safe way to dispose of or recycle the bulbs. There are several labs working on ways to recycle them, but it will be at least 5-7 years before they are successful. Until then, cities and towns will just have to sit on the bulbs and hope that they are safely contained.
2007-10-03 14:27:32 · answer #3 · answered by ahoff 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It is very difficult to find a complete inventory of CFLs at any of the local stores. I switched to flourescents years ago everywhere that was practical, anyway. My switch would be complete if I could find CFL for ceiling fans and garage door openers; I finally found CFLs for my fancy bathroom light fixtures.
Why aren't you busy trying to persuade my local grocery store to carry a deeper CFL inventory?
2007-10-03 13:50:20 · answer #4 · answered by Barbara E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do use them and I suggest that everyone else does too! I even buy them for my children as gifts for Christmas!!! It is a good gift it saves them money and I think it is very thoughtful!
2007-10-03 14:57:41 · answer #5 · answered by teresa m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am. Why aren't you?
2007-10-03 13:52:42 · answer #6 · answered by intenex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they're not dimmable, at least the fluorescents aren't.
2007-10-03 13:53:28 · answer #7 · answered by HyperDog 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I use them sometimes, where they suit the application. You are very presumptive to ask such a question at all. Convince me that every light in your house ... INCLUDING your computer monitor and TV screen ... are high efficiency, perhaps that will teach you that such hypocritical statements only serve to lodge your foot in your mouth.
2007-10-03 13:56:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because I don't need you to tell me how to live my life greeny.
2007-10-03 14:57:14 · answer #9 · answered by hawk_barry 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well , I do use them ....
2007-10-03 13:49:08 · answer #10 · answered by Hippie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋