Why don't people always use energy-efficient lighting?

Question

Why don't people always use energy-efficient lighting?

Answer 1

A few billion of them don't have accesss to electricty to power a light globe.

Answer 2

Haven't seen this answer SO,

Because 'energy efficient' lights are not suitable for all uses as yet and in many cases REDUCE the 'people' efficiency of the job being done.

Answer 3

I like frflyer's answer, cost is no longer an excuse. Here in the UK you can get an energy efficient light bulb for as little as 99p, some councils and energy suppliers even give them away for free.

Neither is the excuse that they are too big for light fittings, this is tosh. EE lightbulbs are usually slimmer than traditional bulbs AND you can get a huge range these days, from  candles to spirals, D shaped lamps to pin lamps and many different fittings.

I think all the press coverage regarding the harmful mercury has put people off, although as far as I am aware no one has ever broken one! But saying that it does raise the issue that once the bulb is used up, how to dispose of it safely.

LED's are fastly becoming more popular and are widely considered more eco.

Plus some people just can't us energy efficient bulbs for medical reasons, for example, those suffering from types of epilepsy.

Whether you choose to use energy efficient lighting or not, I do wish people would simply turn off lights that are not in use!

This can massively reduce carbon emissions, and it is so unnecessary to light a room/shop that you are not using!

Answer 4

im against the new lights because they contain mercury which is harmful to you.i knew a lady who accidently broke 2 and she had to have a company come in and clean it up.it cost her more than what the bulbs are worth.

Answer 5

The cost has come down substantialy on CFLs.

I bought some at 49cents each.  Even replacing some of your house lights with them helps reduce energy usage.

There are objections to CFLs because of mercury.  I don't know if this is true of all of them.

Otherwise they would require well organized recycling programs to contain that.

LEDs are said to be the light of the future.  They are extremely low wattage for a given amount of light.   Not much heat loss.

People object to changing to more efficient lights because they think it infringes on their rights.  

I think that's a red herring.  It just makes sense for all of us.  Incandecent lights only convert 5% of their electricity to light.  95% is converted to heat.

That makes no sense, economically or environmentally.

Answer 6

because they're not well informed..

it's almost as cheap as regular lighbulbs!!!

crazy, i know

Answer 7

one reason that people forget is that EF lighting is fluorescent lighting and it flickers..most people can't see it , but most women can unconsciously see it, it annoys them and they don't even know it.

Answer 8

Because they don't want to or can't afford the initial upfront cost. It may only be a few dollars but it can be an issue.

Answer 9

We don't use it everywhere because of the fact that, especially in recessed light style, it takes a good 2 minutes to come to full brightness.  When trying to see how much medicine your giving your baby in the middle of the night, it can be more than just annoying.  We have replaced about 50% of our lights though.

Answer 10

There are a few reasons:

1. Cost, sure it is only a few dollars but on top of a cart of groceries, the old incandescent is the cheapest.

2. Many existing light fixtures (bathroom, outside, recessed) can't fit the bulkier light bulbs

3. Many energy-efficient light bulbs have mercury in them

4. be cause we don't have to.

Answer 11

Poor light coloration. You can never pay for the extra cost in some applications such as a garage door opener since the light is seldom on.