Question about CFL bulbs

[FrugalFish]

Are these those bulbs that if they break you have to have men in plastic suits clean and remove.

Here is a "fun" little story:

The CFL mercury nightmare

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

When wearing polarized sunglasses, I can see grids of dark dots on the rear windows of some cars. I think it is just where the polarization of those sun blocking windows happens to match at a near 90 degree angle with the polarization of my sunglasses.

[momof1in150]

You can't use CFLs in all applications. Lights with dimmers require a specific bulb and they are significantly more expensive. You can't use them in fans, garage door openers or other lights that might vibrate.

GE has a good FAQ page:

GE Consumer & Industrial Lighting: Ask Us: FAQs - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

The govt has guidelines on cleaning up broken bulbs:

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

[Aleta]

They concern me because of the mercury and the disposal of them. Years ago, I worked in an office with flourescent lighting and it gave me headaches. I had to weat glasses with a pink tinge to them. Also, if you turn them on and off, they're not efficient. I personally don't like them. The lights are just too bright.

[Caoineag]

[QUOTE=momof1in150;153187]... You can't use them in fans, garage door openers or other lights that might vibrate.

...QUOTE]

Never had any problem with them being in my ceiling fans and I have had only CFL's for the past 5 years. Not sure how long they are supposed to last but they are all still going strong. You aren't supposed to use them in damp areas too but my bathroom one is still going strong as well and if that isn't high moisture, I am not sure what is...

I think people are more than a little paranoid about CFL's. The two things that are issues are dimmers and 3-ways. They do not work for those applications.

As to the mercury, the paranoia is a little funny given people used to have mercury thermometers which had wayyyy more mercury in them. (i.e. 3 for CFL's, 400 for thermometers). Especially since CFL's are a lot sturdier than regular bulbs (don't ask me how I know this, I confess nothing).

[Aleta]

I do not think that people are being paranoid. There have been too many articles out there about this and the correct disposal of these bulbs. As an adult, I read and know what I have to do, but what about a younger child or teenager who would accidentally break one of these bulbs?

I think that if anything has that many questions about it that we should all be concerned. No offense here, but I don't trust our officials that much. It's like them being asked how our economy is and that say it's slowing. Hello! It has slowed; it isn't slowing.

[Seeker]

GE Consumer & Industrial Lighting: Ask Us: FAQs - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

On further reasearch, maybe the whine I hear is from the CFL bulb being too overpowered for my lamps?

At that time awhile ago, DH purchased similar wattages as the incandescent ; 100w CFL -- for the two lamps that will take up to 150w incandescent bulbs. These lamps are 3-way lamps, but we only use the middle setting; otherwise the light is too bright to read comfortably.

If I understand the link properly, if I want a 100w of light, then I should probably use a 26w - 29w CFL bulb? NOT a 100w CFL bulb?

I may try a new bulb again and need to know what to look for.

[disneysteve]

DH purchased similar wattages as the incandescent ; 100w CFL

If I understand the link properly, if I want a 100w of light, then I should probably use a 26w - 29w CFL bulb? NOT a 100w CFL bulb?

Yep. That's your problem. I didn't even know they made 100W CFLs. That would be WAY bright! You want the CFL that is equivalent to a 100W incandescent. Depending on the brand and light type, that would be somewhere around 30 watt. I also check the lumen output as that can differ from brand to brand even with the same wattage.

[Seeker]

Yep. That's your problem. I didn't even know they made 100W CFLs. That would be WAY bright! You want the CFL that is equivalent to a 100W incandescent. Depending on the brand and light type, that would be somewhere around 30 watt. I also check the lumen output as that can differ from brand to brand even with the same wattage.

My mistake; called DH at home and the old CFLs we have in the linen closet are 75w equivalent bulbs; so they are probably right for the lamps. But they are old.

I also read at another site, that we should look for the blue/white Energy Star logo.... as these are certified and while some CFLs were certified as little as two years ago, the "newer" technology and the newer lights that are certified now, have no delay and no sound.

So, we'll try this again.

There's talk of incandescent bulbs being eliminated..... whether or not they will be... who knows???

ABC News: Legislator Wants Green Lights in California

[maat55]

Here is a "fun" little story:

The CFL mercury nightmare

I think I will stick with my incandesent bulbs.

[JanH]

There's talk of incandescent bulbs being eliminated..... whether or not they will be... who knows???

I blew out a bulb in Hubby's reading lamp and when I went to the store to buy more bulbs, I noticed that the bulb area had changed. Where I was hunting down the CFLs a while ago, there are hardly any incandescent bulbs left and a lot more CFLs. I guess they really are fazing them out.

[Aleta]

I think that a lot of people are buying them up. Personally, I have dimmers, chandolier lights, and 3 way bulbs that I couldn't use. I don't think that this particular bulb is going to stay. I read that they have already created another light that is actually better.