Considering Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL)

Contributed by QuestionSense Editors

Why should I change from regular bulbs, known as incandescent, for compact fluorescent lamps?
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(CFL) can save you at least $30 per bulb over a CFL's life. Australia has banned traditional incandescent bulbs, Britain will soon, and the U.S. begins a phase-out of incandescent bulbs in 2012.
I have heard that CFL's contain mercury is that true?
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A CFL has a tiny fraction of the mercury in a traditional thermometer. As a result you should not throw used CFLs out with the trash. Home Depot, Ikea, and some Ace and True Value stores have a recycling program. You can find some other ways to recycle CFLs at www.epa.gov/bulb recycling
Can exposure to a broken CFL be dangerous to my family?
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Exposure to broken CFLs can pose a health risk, especially to a fetus or young child. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends opening a window, shutting off central A/C or forced-air heating, and staying out of the room for at least 15 minutes. Once the room has aired out follow the EPA's cleanup guide at www.epa.gov/mercury/spills.
How much does a CFL cost?
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Some CFLs now cost less than $2 compared with $15, ten years ago. A CFL can last five to ten times as long as regular bulbs in independent testing, and Energy Star versions typically us up to 75 percent less power. You can find Energy Star approved bulbs that last as long as nine years.
Is it true that CFL lighting is different from a traditional light bulb
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The temperature at which the CFL operates determines the color or the light emitted. Those with a 2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin (K) number have a warmer, yellower color; 3,500 K to 6,500 K bulbs emit a bluer or whiter light. Energy Star CFLs must include the Kelvin number on the package as of December 2008.
I heard that CFL's take a long time to come on after you hit the switch?
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CFL are not like the long tube, commercial lighting most of us think of when we hear fluorescent. When you turn the light switch on, light is nearly instant. Most CFLs take about 30 seconds to reach 80 percent of their brightness, and some flood and outdoor lights take 90 seconds or more. That's why some appear dim at first and aren't ideal for areas such as closets or stairs.
Do CFL's work with dimmers?
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Most screw-base CFLs do not work with dimmers designed for use with incandescent lamps. Certain special screw-base CFLs are designed to work with standard incandescent lamp dimmers. These CFLs will be labeled "dimmable" on the lamp base and/or the packaging.