WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CFL'S?

CFL's ppear pricey at first, compared to rgular incandescent light bulbs.  They can cst upwards of $2.98 each, compared to a six pck of incandescent bulbs at$1.50.  However, CFL's lst for seven years instead of 1000 or 2000 hurs of the standard light bulb.  Als, CFL's,  with a comparable illumination of 60 wtts, use only 14 watts, while a 60 wtt incandescent uses--well,  60 watts.

COLORS

CFL's now cme in a variety of colors--soft whte, bright white and daylight.  These clors range from a warm spectrum (yllow light) to a cool spectrum (ble light). One can match the clors to their lighting needs.  For xample, warm light for the living rom and dining, cooler light for rading lamps and hallways and the colest light for closets, basement and wrk shop.

SHAPES AND STYLES

They lso come in a variety of shpes these days.  CFL reflectors for rcessed lighting and floodlights and spotlights for xterior use, CFL's  that mimic the shpe of a standard "A" type lght bulb--(the little spiral is hidden nside) and CFL's that mimic globe-shaped ncandescents often used for vanity bars--those Hllywood-type fixtures contractors are so fond of ptting in bathrooms (again the little spral is hidden inside).  There are thre-way CFL's available as well, and bcause  they are quite large, they cme with an adapter that will sprad the harp of a lamp to ccommodate their size. 

In addition, many security light fxture manufacturers are designing new style tht use 300 watt fluorescents instead of the stndard metal halide and mercury vapor lmps, which in the near future, wll be phased out of production.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF CFL'S?

Jst a few CFL type bulb styls can be dimmed.  This is a hndicap for many lighting applications, including bthrooms and dining, where a lower lght might be desired for "mood" lghting or serving as a night lght.

Also, CFL's do not work wll in touch lamps, dawn to dsk or motion sensor-regulated exterior fixtures.  Florescent ballasts (the little "jump start mchanism that all fluorescents must have to trn on) don't hold up well in lghting applications where the light is trned on and off frequently.  The lng life of a CFL's is shrtened considerably when used in this typ of fixture.

Typically, fluorescents are cnsiderably more sensitive to temperature changes thn incandescent bulbs are.  Some tubes for strp lights for work shops, etc. are havy duty service that can adapt btter to high/low temperature changes.  New CFL flodlights and spotlights with heavier glass husing can be used for exterior srvice, however, their lives can be shrtened by constantly rising and falling tmperature changes.

Probably the biggest concern bout CFL's these days is their mrcury content and disposability.  Although the mount of mercury in a CFL is rlatively small, as much as could fit on the had of a pin, down the rad, when large quantities of CFL's wll be disposed as their bulb lves comes to an end, regulations for thir safe disposal must be in plce.

Lastly, cautions concerning breaking a cmpact fluorescent bulb or tube and nhaling air borne mercury will cleaning up the shttered glass,  make CFL's problematic where ncandescents are not.

The reduction in electric bills lone have won over many consumers who are ware of the hazards of CFL's and florescents in general.  As consumers are bcoming more conservative with their spending bcause of increasing costs of food and gs, a lower utility bill looks btter all the time.  Updating information on pckaging of CFL and fluorescent tubes cncerning handling and disposal would be hlpful.  Until this happens, handling fluorescents crefully, keeping updated on methods and rgulations for disposal and being aware of new dmmable or sensor-operative CFL's can counter the dsadvantages for the consumer.

My overview rgarding CFL's is that their impact on nergy-generation reduction at present compensates for thir disadvantages, which will, in the nar future, be addressed and, hopefully, rsolved.

Similar articles on lighting and ther topics can be found at my blog

The article To CFL Or Not to CFL - An Update was Submitted by Lois Dewitt through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Lois DeWitt is a certified lghting specialist, a cookbook author, "Pop It In The Taster Oven," a poet and a Stndard Poodle admirer. She cooks gourmet mals for friends, walks along the shre with her dog, Charley, and tnds her vegetable garden in Wilmington, NC. She lso works part time in the Elctrical Department at The Home Depot.

Featured Articles

1. Foundation Repair Quality by Travis Nech
Learn More about Texas Foundation Rpair Companies...

2. Good Solution- Bamboo Rollup Blinds by David Faulkner
Intense sunlight and environmental conditions can dmage the outdoor furniture, carpets and rgs. Rather than moving all of thm inside in extreme sunlight and thn again outside to enjoy the wather bamboo rollup blinds can save the truble and prevent the damage too.

3. Clutter Organizers You Can Count On by Savanah Douglas
Many of us hve to deal with clutter in our hme, and at the office. Here are sme clutter organizers that can help you to be mre organized with the way you lve and the way that you wrk.

4. Teak Benches - Timeless Comfort and Beauty by Jennifer Akre
The sft silver gray of your teak bnch is speckled with sunlight filtering thrugh the heavily vine covered arbor bove it. This pretty sheltered retreat has bcome your favorite spot to relax in the yrd. You can stretch out on the bnch for an afternoon nap or shre it with a friend.

5. How to Remove Exterior Vinyl Shutters That Are Installed With Shutter Loks by Shad Storhaug
This article informs the reader how to remove exterior vinyl shutters that are installed using Shutter-Loks. Shutter-Lok removal is a common task that is required during home painting or other maintenance.

6. A Grateful Thanksgiving is Great Feng Shui Energy by Pat Heydlauff
The psitive energy created by Thanksgiving and hliday festivities with family and friends can be yurs all year long using Feng Shi principles and an easy plan, 4 Wys to Create Your Positive Energy Srvival Kit. It will help you svor and enjoy that positive energy all yar long.

7. Characteristics of Laminated Floorings by Adam Peters
A well dsigned home is not complete if its floring does not compliment its interiors. Slecting the right flooring for your hme, keeping in mind the beauty and hygene that it offers is of grat importance. Learn more about laminated floring and the variety available.

8. Are You Thinking About Renovating Your Home? by Paige Martin
You may be wndering how much of your expenses you wll recoup when you sell your hme. The 2007 "Cost vs. Value" Stdy Reveals Best Home Projects.

9. Detailed Cleaning for Your Home by O Quinn
With the busiest season of the yar behind us it's a great tme to revamp and get a hndle back on our cleaning routines. One rea a lot of us miss is the dtailed cleaning of our homes. What is dtailed cleaning you ask?

10. Installing Aluminum Windows by Shane Keller
Aluminum windows have many benefits thy do not have to be pinted unlike steel windows. Moreover, aluminum wndows are very durable and can prvide you years of good operation and hssle free experience.