I try my best to be environmentally conscious (I recycle, bike to work, buy organic when possible), so I recently bought CFLs for my whole house -- but they look horrible! Is there anything I can do? I feel like I'm living in a college dorm.
-Mitch
Ugh, I really sympathize with you. I've remained committed to my decision to swap out all the regular lightbulbs in our apartment with compact fluorescents (CFLs) -- you can't really argue with a 75 percent reduction in energy consumption (good for the environment and your wallet) -- but not an evening goes by that I don't cringe when I turn on those sallow suckers. I do hate to admit to the negative aspects of CFLs, especially regarding such a superficial complaint, because there's arguably no other change you can make for the greater green good that's as simple and effective; changing the world really is as simple as screwing in a lightbulb. Perhaps that's why entire continents (Europe, Australia) are phasing out traditional bulbs altogether.
Concerns about CFLs extend beyond mere aesthetics, however; because these bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, it's imperative that broken CFLs are cleaned up carefully to minimize health risks and that used bulbs are recycled to avoid groundwater contamination. Still, it's important to note that the mercury contained in CFLs is a mere drop in the ocean compared to the mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. The EPA estimates that if all 290 million CFL bulbs sold in the US in 2007 were sent to the landfill, the overall release of mercury would equal .13 metric tons; coal-fired power plants, on the other hand, are responsible for emitting 104 metric tons of mercury each year. The choice is clear: If you have any hope of one day eating seafood without first consulting a mercury pollution chart, start changing those bulbs.
There are a lot of guides out there to help you choose bulbs with the least amount of mercury and the most flattering light -- the Environmental Working Group's Green Lighting Guide is a helpful starting point. But I'll be honest: I'm really looking forward to when LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which are even more efficient than CFLs and arguably more flattering, start to come down in price. There's also been some buzz about the new ESL (electron stimulated luminescence) bulb from Seattle manufacturer Vu1 that is currently in development -- no mercury, 65 to 70 percent less energy than incandescents, and virtually indistinguishable from the real deal.
In the meantime, a few tips to minimize the greenish ghoul effect:
Fire is your friend. When we're having friends over or I'm enjoying a romantic dinner with my husband, I turn off the overhead fixtures and light a few candles (beeswax or soy, of course) to complement the floor lamps in our living room -- it's amazing how just a few scattered around the room can really warm things up. Maybe it's merely the ritual of lighting candles that imparts a feeling of intimacy, but I swear it works.
LED there be light. LEDs are pricey, but they're the perfect investment for a few key areas where you truly can't tolerate the harsh light of CFLs -- say, the reading lamp on your nightstand. Your investment will pay off in the long run, since LEDs can last up to 10 times longer than CFLs and 100 times longer than incandescents.
Made in the shade. The right lamp shade can make all the difference. Our rice paper floor lamps transform CFL light from harsh glare to gentle glow; lighting designer Kathy Pryzgoda advises choosing a semi-transparent pink or amber shade.
If all else fails, take comfort in knowing that with worldwide mandates to phase out incandescent lighting, you're not the only disgruntled customer. Expect technology to progress rapidly in the next few years, since whoever discovers the holy grail of eco-friendly lighting is sure to make gazillions.
Send all your eco-inquiries to Jennifer Grayson at eco.etiquette@gmail.com. Questions may be edited for length and clarity.
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They mentioned a starting price of $20. It's a little expensive, but still less than LEDs. I also consider that both CFLs and LEDs have been with us for several years now and they've both dropped considerably in price. There's no reason to believe that ESLs won't do the same thing. I just hope they hurry up and get their bulbs on the market.
sudden drowsiness, eventually nausea, lack of attention, slight suffocating feeling, a mild claustrophobia, dread, irritability.
is the light the same with CFLs? Judging from this article, yes. I am no conspiracy theory follower but I always felt this type of lighting caused something more than a general malaise. I think they are toxic.
There are definitely better looking CFL bulbs out there than the fluorescent tubes you see in offices (see comments, below), but I'm still looking forward to newer and improved lighting technologies!
those lights. They're evil.
There ARE LED lights out there which have yellow lampshades--
I saw one the other day which is solar powered: hang it outside in
the day, bring it inside at night...
and screw the power company!!!
If a CFL says it's "soft white" it's usually around 2500K - which is greenish-yellow and, to me, an icky color. My first CFLs were in that range, and I didn't buy more for a long time because of it.
At the other end of the CFL spectrum, 6500K is bluish, sometimes listed as "noon white". It's the color of most old fluorescent tubes back in the '50s and '60s. And yes, strong sunlight at high noon is fairly blue. I only use that color in my kitchen - it reminds me of my Grandma's kitchen.
The color that's most pleasing to me is 5000k. It's a less common bulb type, but colors look good and I've found I now prefer it to old style incandescent light, which looks too yellow to me these days. Satco is the company that makes the 5000k CFLs I mainly use, and they've lasted years.
If a bulb doesn't specify it's degrees kelvin on the base - I don't buy it. You have no idea what color it may turn out to be. The best way to start out is to buy a range of colors from a reputable manufacturer and see which one(s) you prefer.
Why are they not mass marketed?
*( yes, I am interested in joining a team or starting a team for production of these LED screw in light bulbs for the mass market)
Cfls frequently don't last as long as we are told and I have been taking that issue up with the manufacturers. There is no excuse for a bulb not to last at least a couple of years - let alone the five they say. I've had some die after a couple of months (no, it's not my wiring, fixture, or in a ceiling fan - been through these arguments with the makers).
At least some of the mercury in a cfl must be in a gas form; I have cleaned up broken bulbs and have never actually seen the mercury rolling around anywhere. So to me, you really should just try to leave the room for a while so it can dissipate. Trying to clean it up in a hurry just exposes you to more of it.
If everyone of us who could would buy one LED bulb - imagine what that would do for the eventual production and price. I bought one a couple of years ago - $50. Crazy amount for a light bulb, but I still have it and I'm trying to do my part for the industry. If you know enough people who might buy one, you could probably work out a case discount or something, maybe even cheaper shipping.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/business/energy-environment/28bulbs.html?_r=1
And yes, there is mercury vapor when a bulb breaks -- please read the EWG's guide I linked to above so you don't put yourself at risk the next time this happens.
Here's a debate my husband and I have had: He thought we should just yank all the old bulbs out, toss them and replace with cfls - I was just doing it as the bulbs went out. Which is better green wise?
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I have already purchased enough Incandescent Light bulbs to last long after the "Bulb Ban" takes effect.
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I only use them where I read. The rest of the house has CFL's for the most part.
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I am hoping that LED technology will provide an answer with a light that will have the color friendliness of the Incandescent Light bulb.
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Posish!
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R/ PRONESE
I went on line and bought them and replaced all of my bulbs in my house.
Here are some simple facts to consider regarding LED lighting.
Price is a factor if you can't afford to purchase the lights, but if you can afford them, you should purchase them sooner rather than later. The price of hand held scientific calculators was very high during the 70's when they began emerging on store shelves as were personal computers during the 80's. This didn't stop people or the government from buying them if they could afford them. The result of ignoring cost was, that costs came down dramatically and the technologies improved greatly along the way.
Every dollar you spend on energy efficiency or alternative energy will typically return 100 to 150% of the original costs in residential or commercial property values not to mention a 60-90 percent reduction in energy costs for lighting and replacement costs.
For fixtures that burn 8 or more hour per day, a payback period of 2-3 years is not uncommon and then it becomes icing on the cake thereafter. When purchasing an LED light, two important considerations should be made. Color Rendering Index (CRI) and lumens per watt. The CRI should be above 85 and the lumens per watt should exceed 65.
As for the sallow, sometimes even putrid, light quality and color, not all CFs are created equal.
My advice is to avoid the cheap ones, and go to a lighting store where the various models are on display so that you can evaluate the actual quality of the light that they produce, then buy the ones that you find most pleasing.
As for the mercury, every fluorescent bulb has a bit in it, including the familiar tube type that we have lived with for decades. It is not a new problem. LEDs should solve it, but they are not yet available at reasonable prices. Until they are, CFs will save you money and reduce CO2 emissions.
http://www.environmentcolorado.org/eehq/cfl/mercury