Is the Fluorescent light issue really resolved?

Question

I've read the closed questions. Everyone seems to agree and think that these new bulbs are energy efficient, and therefore they give the nod of approval. This may be off target. While it is true the new bulbs are efficient while in operation, it takes far more energy to make one of these bulbs than a standard one. This is not a trivial amount of energy. Further, the bulb is electronic internally, so you have more energy making the parts and all the waste and pollution associated with making electronic parts.

A more serious and hidden cost is you cannot use these bulbs in standard fixtures. Being electronic bulbs, they require ventilation. Thus MOST of you current fixtures will have to be replaced, which is an additional cost of using this bulb, not to mention energy in mfg of fixtures, waste etc.

By comparison, the standard bulb uses almost no energy to produce and is nearly 100% disposable - even recyclable. Newer bulbs have to be taken apart to recycle. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

The New high intensity LED lights are making inroads.  

They use less energy and will become the lights of the future.  Flourescent bulbs have mercury in side. Mercury is dangerous to the environment

Answer 2

You are flat correct, all electronics require ventilation, look inside any PC, you will see at least 2 fans and numerous aluminium heat sinks all trying to reduce the internal temperature of the semiconductor devices, some people even go to the lengths of installing water cooling systems. Any piece of consumer electronics will have grilles cut into the case to try and dissipate the heat.

Any electric component that drops a voltage will dissipate energy as heat (all semiconductors and resistors), as well as resistive heating there is inductive heating from the transformer and choke, all of these components can be found in a CFL.

Compact fluorescents need MORE ventilation than incandescent bulbs as the transistors and capacitors  inside will only be rated to a certain temperature. The normal operation of the circuit will heat  them over this temperature without adequate ventilation, drastically reducing the lifetime to well below the lifetime of the actual tube. The tungsten filament in an incandescent bulb on the other hand is already heated up to several thousand degrees, a few more are not going to effect it in anyway.

CFL’s should not be used in non-vented fittings, the electrical circuit will overheat and their lifetime will decrease, they may even pose a fire risk.

If you don’t believe me touch the base of any CFL which had been on for a while, it will be hot to the touch, now look at the packaging and the small print should  quote the maximum temp the bulb should be used in, usually 50 degrees. Sometimes there is a warning about not using the lamp in an enclosed fitting as well.

I won’t even get started on power factor, suffice to say that although on the whole a good thing (I use them for now in my house) I don’t think the CFL is the magic bullet it is hyped up to be by the government, industry and anyone not prepared to do a bit of research..

Bring on solid state lighting.

Answer 3

There is a problem with CFLs (fluorescent lightbulbs) in that they need careful recycling. There is a small amount of toxic mercury in each one. There does not seem to be enough encouragement to get people to recycle them rather than dump them in their rubbish bags. In landfill they will certainly cause some hazard. However, the amount is tiny - around 4 milligrams per bulb. Incandescents are responsible for far more mercury in the atmosphere because of the increased amounts of fossil fuels burnt for power.

" A power plant will emit 10mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb compared to only 2.4mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same time"

If you use CFLs and break one by accident, open your windows and sweep up carefully to avoid toxic fumes.

Ideally CFLs should be recycled at your local recycling centre.

Answer 4

If you're not sold on the idea of CFL's but want to use a bulb that uses less energy than an incandescent, then I say you are the perfect candidate to use the newer LED lights.  Give them a try.

Answer 5

You are flat mistaken.  Electronics don't require ventilation unless they get hot.  Heck, the computer that runs your car is inside a solid block of epoxy.  (that's to keep the weather out.)

In fact, compact fluorescents need LESS ventilation because they make far less heat.  You've seen signs that say "60 watt maximum"?  That's because those fixtures can't get rid of the heat from that large a bulb.  Too large a bulb would start a fire.  Not a problem with fluorescents, they run cool.  A "60 watt" fluorescent is really 14 watts.

Given that you were mistaken about that, I don't particularly trust your opinion that fluorescents take so much more energy to make. More, probably, but that much more?  I doubt it.

Answer 6

I have replaced every bulb in my home with compact flourescents. Immediately I noticed a big drop in my electric bill. They can be used in any fixture in which they fit, since they run much much cooler than incandescents. They will initially burn dimly in outdoor fixtures when temps are below freezing, but even then they come up to full brilliance.

You are right about the disposal issue. Mercury is a problem, but overall there is a net benefit to the environment over incandescents. Hopefully, LED bulbs will eventually replace the compact flourescents. They use even less energy and are slightly less toxic.

Answer 7

Absolutely, the energy efficiency of the new bulbs, is because they dont waste energy manufacturing heat. ..  just light.

Definitely they need to be disposed of with care, and not tossed in to the garbage..   I have been using these, for the past two years, and havent yet had a bulb to dispose of so far.. but I have a plan, when this occurs..   labelling a container, ready for disposal in the correct manner.

I have no clue how these tubes and bulbs are manufactured.. but I will certainly seek out that information..