Q&A: Are there any drawbacks to compact fluorescent bulbs?

I’m all for saving energy, but I’ve read that CFLs contain mercury and that there are some performance issues with them. What are the pros and cons of these bulbs?—D. Pancer. via e-mail

Mercury is the only major toxicity issue for CFLs, as we noted in a recent blog entry on the technology. Many manufacturers have been able to reduce the mercury content to less than 5 mg per bulb and are working on further reductions.

It’s worth noting that even though CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, they still contribute less mercury to the environment than incandescent bulbs. CFLs use only one-quarter to one-fifth the electricity that incandescents do—the less electricity produced at coal-fired power plants, the less mercury gets spewed into the air.

We’re investigating many other issues as part of our testing of CFLs, which we’ll be reporting on in the October 2007 issue of Consumer Reports, on sale this September. In the meanwhile, we recommend that you purchase Energy Star–qualified CFLs, which have been tested to meet minimum performance standards that other bulbs might not meet. Here are some other ideas to keep in mind.

Other upsides to Energy Star CFLs:
• Even with their higher upfront cost, CFLs save you money because they provide the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs but use significantly less energy.

• They fit into many of the same fixtures as incandescent bulbs and so are direct replacements in many fixtures and applications.

• After their initial warm-up, they are just as bright as equivalent incandescent bulbs. They also produce a light color that many perceive as equal to incandescent bulbs and are available in a wide range of colors from yellowish (soft white) to bluish white (daylight).

• CFLs are “instant-on” and do not normally flicker. All Energy Star CFLs use an electronic ballast that reduces or eliminates slow or flickering ignition.

And their downsides:
• The time to brightness is longer than that of a typical incandescent bulb. Some Energy Star mini-spirals can take 20 to 30 seconds, while floodlights can take up to 3 minutes to approach full brightness.

• They can make some colors look slightly different than when the same colors are viewed under incandescent lights.

• You can’t use many CFLs with some electronic timers, photocells, dimmers or motion detectors. However, more manufacturers are planning to produce dimmable bulbs soon.

• There are some limitations on where and how you can use CFLs, such as spots with extreme temperatures or high humidity. If you use them where the temperature is colder or hotter than the manufacturer’s suggested range, you could shorten the life the bulb. Check the package for information on temperatures, and avoid using bulbs in high-humidity areas.

• CFLs can burn out prematurely if you frequently turn them on and off. As a rule of thumb, recommend the experts at the federal government’s Energy Star program, use CFLs where they will be left on for extended periods, and turn them off only when you’ll be out of a room for more than 15 minutes. It might be more cost effective for you to leave the lights on instead of causing your more expensive CFLs to burn out prematurely.

• The mercury in CFLs can end up in landfills if you do not properly recycle the bulbs. Use the database on Earth911, searchable by ZIP code, to find recycling options in your area. Also visit LampRecycle.org for further details on CFL recycling.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org 

Essential information: Visit GreenerChoices.org for the latest news on environmental issues and expert advice on ways to save energy and money every day. And take our informal survey to let us know if you use CFLs in your home.

Comments

[Dave]

What about the bulbs not woring in the horizontal position. a few years ago, I purchased over 30 bulbs for my house only to discover that only 1 in 10 will work when mounted horizontally. I feel that until this limitation is addressed that CFLs are a real non started for many homes. This will be a real problem in California once the legislature bans regular incandescents.