Fluorescent Bulbs

[_RaT_]

Minor to you, but not to me. My home currently has a very nice warm glow to it. I don't like the white light at all and fluorescent light really does bother my eyes, especially when watching a movie or visiting with friends. It is more like an interrogation room than a living room.

Does anyone know of a brand or type of CFL with a nice glow that isn't so industrial looking?

With the new "rare earth phosphors" being used in fluorescent lights, the warmth you want is available. Here is a snip from a article I saw online-

"High-Quality Light: Newer CFLs give a warm, inviting light instead of the "cool white" light of older fluorescents. They use rare earth phosphors for excellent color and warmth. New electronically ballasted CFLs don't flicker or hum"

I much prefer the lower Kelvin bulbs like the 2700K. Even 3000K is getting to blue for my tastes. With 2700K, the light is as warm as incandescent.

 

[zeuspaul]

While California is thinking about a ban the US beat them to it.

Congress bans incandescent bulbs

We should probably post the EPA cleanup procedure just in case one of our children breaks one of these things while playing ball in the house. Lead paint is not ok in a house with kids but mercury is now mandated.

***The federal EPA doesn稚 recommend professional cleanup for a broken bulb. It recommends you open a window, leave the room for 15 minutes, then put on some rubber gloves, scoop up the broken bits and seal them in a plastic bag, then put that bag in another plastic bag before throwing it out. Then wash your hands.***
Michelle Malkin Incandescent stupidity: Washington outlaws 100-watt lightbulbs

 

[Mike058]

Here's a good article on CFL's. Looks like the one I read before but couldn't remember what magazine it was. The Best Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Scientific Lab Test vs. Incandescent - Popular Mechanics

 

[ray66v]

I have not been happy with cf's, especially when I pay $10 for a 43 watt and use it in my basement periodically, after 1 year, the thing goes bad. How much did I save? About -$9.50 This is not the only bad experience.

I spent hundreds on dimmers to conserve energy, and now I am supposed to have them all removed, or pay about $15 a bulb for dimables? $15 x 24 =$360! MORE SAVINGS? How long will they last?

What do I do with my crystal chandelier? It sure will look nice with fluorescent bulbs in it. how do I dim it?

And what about all the mercury?

If we are going to ban the incandescent what do you say we get a better replacement first?

Of course they will force us to switch, there is hundreds billions of dollars to be made off this. Along with all the rest of the schemes their working on.

 

[_RaT_]

Here's a good article on CFL's. Looks like the one I read before but couldn't remember what magazine it was. The Best Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Scientific Lab Test vs. Incandescent - Popular Mechanics

Thanks Mike, good article. As I mentioned, I did not really like compact fluorescents until more recently. Many folks were disappointed to say the least. More recently I have been having great success. For new homes with recessed lighting, cans with built in ballasts are the better choice because the bulbs are less costly to replace, come on bright and are usually dimmable and also look more attractice. There is plenty more to learn about CFL's contrary the articles we read. I am a big fan of Michelle Malkin as one poster eluded to, but the article and the idea of the mercury is a very knee jerk reaction. The trace amount of mercury from a broken bulb has been blown considerably out of proportion and is now used by folks that hate CFL's as a means to further demote the usefulness of such bulbs. It may not be long before LED's are prolific if they can get the color right. CFL's have gotten better, cheaper and more reliable as long as you get a quality manufactuer, don't overheat it and don't expose the indoor type to outdoor conditions.

 

[zeuspaul]

Do the proponents of CF bulbs still think they are better if there is a match in energy efficiency between CF and incandescent??

*********
GE Developing Incandescent Light Bulb That Matches CFL's Efficiency

GE Developing Incandescent Light Bulb That Matches CFLç—´ Efficiency ï½· Environmental Leader ï½· Green Business and Corporate Sustainability News

 

[Ken_CT]

I am a big fan of Michelle Malkin as one poster eluded to, but the article and the idea of the mercury is a very knee jerk reaction. The trace amount of mercury from a broken bulb has been blown considerably out of proportion and is now used by folks that hate CFL's as a means to further demote the usefulness of such bulbs.

I agree with _RAT_, but unfortunatley, we live in a "Be afraid, be very afraid" society. Look what happens when a mercury thermometer is dropped inside a school. The school is evacuated, and the HAZMAT team is called in for the cleanup. I remember pushing mercury around in my hand in science class, and no one was the worst for it. That probably wasn't a good idea, even back then, but people overreact to everything now. I think the mercury problem with these bulbs will eventually be their downfall.

 

[davitk]

I agree with _RAT_, but unfortunatley, we live in a "Be afraid, be very afraid" society. Look what happens when a mercury thermometer is dropped inside a school. The school is evacuated, and the HAZMAT team is called in for the cleanup. I remember pushing mercury around in my hand in science class, and no one was the worst for it. That probably wasn't a good idea, even back then, but people overreact to everything now. I think the mercury problem with these bulbs will eventually be their downfall.

I built a Pinewood Derby car for my son a few years ago and was offered mercury to insert in a tube for movable ballast - a winning tactic to be sure - but hesitated at the thought of what would happen if the car broke and spilled amidst all those kids

 

[RonMar]

Pretty big difference between the liquid mercury in a themometer and the thin coating of vaporized mercury in a CFL. I am not sure exactly how much mercury is used in a CFL bulb(have heard somewhere in the vicinity of 4MG), but I would make a guess that the mercury in a thermometer could probably make a LOT of CFL bulbs(more than 100?).

 

[SpringHollow]

Basically, it is the mercury vapors that are harmful, not the liquid mercury. So you get a higher instantaneous exposure from a broken hot bulb than a thermometer. Biggest problem would be for very young kids.

Ken