What’s the deal with CFL’s?
Replacing your light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs otherwise know as CFL’s can save you 75% over standard incandescent bulbs. New CFL’s come in a variety of shapes and sizes that will fit regular light fixtures. Yes CFL’s are initially more expensive than standard light bulbs but they can last up to 10 times as long and use about 25% of the electricity.
Now you’re going to tell me that CFL’s give a harsh light. Your right the first time I bought a CFL and installed it I felt like I was in a hospital because it was a really white light. Through trial and error I have discovered 2 things. The first is that for a warmer light buy a bulb that has a Kelvin rating of 2700. The 2700K bulbs will give off a much more desirable light than the 3000k-5000k bulbs that are available. Second I will often step down the wattage a bit over the incandescent equal. For example, typically a 60 watt incandescent equals a 13-15 watt CFL. When replacing a 60 watt incandescent I will use a 10-13 watt CFL. This will vary among brands so its not a hard and fast rule but it has helped me find a softer light that my wife won’t object to.
What about the mercury? I have heard some people say they won’t use CFL’s because they contain mercury. Yes CFL’s do contain mercury, but is it dangerous? Are we trading our health for energy savings? Mercury has long been identified as highly toxic and can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. To really evaluate we need to take a closer look.
A typically CFL contains about 4mg of mercury. The full size fluorescent tube hanging above your head in your office contains about 40mg of mercury. The neon sign you walk by every morning when you walk into the coffee shop for your morning fix contains about 100mg of mercury. And the thermostat on the wall contains 3000mg of mercury.
The majority of the mercury pollution is caused by coal-fired electricity plants which accounts for 40% of the airborne mercury which eventually makes its way into the streams and lakes and in our region into the Chesapeake Bay. So by using a standard incandescent light bulb you are using more energy which is polluting the environment. The danger with CFL’s is only present when they are broken or disposed of improperly. Follow these directions if you break a CFL. http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent
I know of one brand which contains less mercury than the industry standard. Neolite brand CFL’s are advertised as containing 1mg of mercury. I have tried these bulbs and I don’t notice any difference from the other brands of CFL’s available.
Written by Torrey Marks on March 28, 2008 at 10:29 am
Filed under: Green Construction Techniques
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