Home » Home Improvement » Lighting EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles Search Lois Dewitt Diamond Quality AuthorDiamond Author | 49 Articles Joined: October 25, 2007 United States To CFL Or Not to CFL - An Update By Lois Dewitt | Submitted On July 05, 2008 Recommend Article Article Comments Print ArticleShare this article on FacebookShare americanvisionwindows this article on TwitterShare this article on LinkedinShare this article on RedditShare this article on PinterestExpert Author Lois Dewitt WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CFL'S? CFL's appear pricey at first, compared to regular incandescent light bulbs. They can cost upwards of $2.98 each, compared to a six pack of incandescent bulbs at$1.50. However, CFL's last for seven years instead of 1000 or 2000 hours of the standard light bulb. Also, CFL's, with a comparable illumination of 60 watts, use only 14 watts, while a 60 watt incandescent uses--well, 60 watts. COLORS CFL's now come in a variety of colors--soft white, bright white and daylight. These colors range from a warm spectrum (yellow light) to a cool spectrum (blue light). One can match the colors to their lighting needs. For example, warm light for the living room and dining, cooler light for reading lamps and hallways and the coolest light for closets, basement and work shop. SHAPES AND STYLES They also come in a variety of shapes these days. CFL reflectors for recessed lighting and floodlights and spotlights for exterior use, CFL's that mimic the shape of a standard "A" type light bulb--(the little spiral is hidden inside) and CFL's that mimic globe-shaped incandescents often used for vanity bars--those Hollywood-type fixtures contractors are so fond of putting in bathrooms (again the little spiral is hidden inside). There are three-way CFL's available as well, and because they are quite large, they come with an adapter that will spread the harp of a lamp to accommodate their size. In addition, many security light fixture manufacturers are designing new style that use 300 watt fluorescents instead of the standard metal halide and mercury vapor lamps, which in the near future, will be phased out of production. WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF CFL'S? Just a few CFL type bulb styles can be dimmed. This is a handicap for many lighting applications, including bathrooms and dining, where a lower light might be desired for "mood" lighting or serving as a night light. Also, CFL's do not work well in touch lamps, dawn to dusk or motion sensor-regulated exterior fixtures. Fluorescent ballasts (the little "jump start mechanism that all fluorescents must have to turn on) don't hold up well in lighting applications where the light is turned on and off frequently. The long life of a CFL's is shortened considerably when used in this type of fixture. Typically, fluorescents are considerably more sensitive to temperature changes than incandescent bulbs are. Some tubes for strip lights for work shops, etc. are heavy duty service that can adapt better to high/low temperature changes. New CFL floodlights and spotlights with heavier glass housing can be used for exterior service, however, their lives can be shortened by constantly rising and falling temperature changes. Probably the biggest concern about CFL's these days is their mercury content and disposability. Although the amount of mercury in a CFL is relatively small, as much as could fit on the head of a pin, down the road, when large quantities of CFL's will be disposed as their bulb lives comes to an end, regulations for their safe disposal must be in place. Lastly, cautions concerning breaking a compact fluorescent bulb or tube and inhaling air borne mercury will cleaning up the shattered glass, make CFL's problematic where incandescents are not. The reduction in electric bills alone have won over many consumers who are aware of the hazards of CFL's and fluorescents in general. As consumers are becoming more conservative with their spending because of increasing costs of food and gas, a lower utility bill looks better all the time. Updating information on packaging of CFL and fluorescent tubes concerning handling and disposal would be helpful. Until this happens, cheap laptop UK handling fluorescents carefully, keeping updated on methods and regulations for disposal and being aware of new dimmable or sensor-operative CFL's can counter the disadvantages for the consumer. My overview regarding CFL's is that their impact on energy-generation reduction at present compensates for their disadvantages, which will, in the near future, be addressed and, hopefully, resolved. Similar articles on lighting and other topics can be found at my blog Lois DeWitt is a certified lighting specialist, a cookbook author, "Pop It In The Toaster Oven," a poet and a Standard Poodle admirer. She cooks gourmet meals for friends, walks along the shore with her dog, Charley, and tends her vegetable garden in Wilmington, NC. She also works part time in the Electrical Department at The Home Depot.