Fluorescent vs incandescent bulbs and the environment.

[JoeyT]

Run time: 04:43 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA2E14uKyZY   Posted on YouTube: March 04, 2010 By YouTube Member: cdk007 Views on YouTube: 4773   Posted on DU: March 05, 2010 By DU Member: JoeyT Views on DU: 1036

 
Probably the best explanation I've seen so far regarding the problem of mercury in fluorescent bulbs and why it isn't as big a deal as it's been made out to be. It certainly counters the right wing talking point that claims fluorescent bulbs are worse for the environment than incandescent bulbs, even when you assume an absolute worst case scenario for fluorescent bulb use.

[FlaGranny]

1. Thanks for posting.

That was interesting. My house is 100% fluorescent.

[ixion]

2. I use LEDs, but Flourescent light gives me a headache

so I avoid the 60-cycle hum like the plague.

[cascadiance]

5. I've also noted that there's a lag time for flourescents to come "fully on"...

We're used to turning on an older light and light coming "instantly" on, but the other can be half dark for a minute or two before coming fully on. Kind of annoying in some cases if you need to go in to a room to get something quickly at night and can't see anything for a few minutes.

[Canuckistanian]

6. You haven't bought any fluorescent lights lately, have you?

The new high-efficiency T8's are dead silent. AND very bright.

[liberal N proud]

3. I am thinking LED

But the cost per unit to convert is expensive.

I don't like the lower lighting level of the CFL's, I can't read by them.


Thanks for posting

[Canuckistanian]

8. I bought an LED spotlight

My wife uses it for task lighting as she's making jewellery. It's perfect, and only 2 Watts.

[WhiteTara]

9. at this time

LEDs have much lower light levels than CFLs. Maybe more light per watt, but watts are very low.

[eagertolearn]

4. I don't know how many times i have heard about the pro's and con's of

which light bulb to use and at the end they have used so many different names (and initials) for a light bulb so I still don't know which one to use! Plus for safety in our house can you just put any of those bulbs in and they are safe? Not a fire hazard? Someimes those twirly bulbs (CFL's?) don't fit into the light fixtures. Great video though....I may have to watch it a few more times to retain which bulb to use!

[activa8tr]

7. Where did you come up with "are they safe"? and "fire hazard"?

I have never EVER heard that a bulb that burns cooler, uses less energy is less "safe".

Please explain.

[WhiteTara]

10. if this is about LED

then LEDs have heat sinking devices and the bulb/tube burns very cool, so there is less fire hazard than with incandescent.

[activa8tr]

11. No, I think this is about the CF's

That's what is showcased in the video.

I am sort of amazed that so many folks at the DU are NOT in favor or reluctant to use CF's.

Especially when it means saving money, saving the environment.

I don't buy the "I can't read with CF bulbs" argument.

I can read just fine with a couple of 13 watt bulbs, instead of a single 75100 watt bulb.

2 x 13 watts=26 watts, versus one 75 or 100 watts, pretty easy to figure out the difference

[FlaGranny]

12. I have a few of the "daylight" fluorescents.

They are extremely bright, almost like being outside. The only fluorescent I have that hums is a small tube fluorescent over the sink, but it is an old style fixture and bulb. The bulbs come on just about instantly - except, for some reason, the decorative bulbs for use in light bars. This kind does take up to a minute for full brightness, but it is a small price to pay for the cool light. A single 100 watt incandescent can heat up a small room with the heat it throws off. The fluorescents are almost always cool enough to unscrew with your bare hands. The bulbs that really scare me, heat wise, are the halogens - hot enough to start fires if you aren't careful. I have an outside light and in 7 years, replaced the bulb once. It comes on at dusk and goes off at dawn. They are cost effective, do not run up the air conditioning bill, AND they're greener to boot.