They work great for me, and CFLs prevent far more mercury emissions than they could ever cause. If they don't work with your control systems, whatever those are, you bought the wrong kind. And please don't dump them in the trash. If you don't mind causing extra pollution by using incandescent bulbs, just take a pass on CFLs and don't contribute to the mercury loading of our landfills.
Jennifer Lance
· 10 months ago
I stockpiled my burnt out CFLs for years, as I could never get to hazardous materials to dispose of them on a Saturday. My wait paid off. Now the Arcata Recycling Center takes them, but it costs money ($1 I think).
Emily Behlmann
· 10 months ago
This is great, but here's a question I can't find the answer to. I replaced my incandescent bulbs with CFLs, but I still have several incandescents still in the box that I don't plan on using. It feels wasteful to throw them away, but also to use them. Is there a good use for the incandescents? A place where CFLs just aren't appropriate?
Phil Butler
· 10 months ago
Chris, this is spot on. I came from heavy industry and research. So often, solutions appear great until the small details are weighed (which is often much later). Mercury, as you obviously know, is one of the most toxic substances in the world.
Recycling or proper disposal of CFL's, as in many solutions, is key. Here in Germany, I think recycling and some of these issues are part of the culture. I know in the states, the recycling culture is not quite there. It is great to have experts like you Chris, to help people think about these issue. Thanks for all you do.
Always, Phil
Chris Baskind
· 10 months ago
I hate to waste them, too. CFLs are pretty much instant-on these days, but they don't reach full efficiency until they've warmed up to operating temperature. That takes a minute or two, which means they're not really saving you much money if you put them in a place they're not on for more than a few minutes.
Why not use your remaining incandescent bulbs in these applications -- at least until they wear out? Closet lights are a good place for incandescent bulbs. Or use them outdoors if you've not already purchased outdoor-rated CFLs. Alternately, you could take a sack of incandescent bulbs to your local mission or shelter. A lot of these places are on tight budgets and haven't yet converted to CFLs. They'll be grateful for the extra bulbs.
Emily Behlmann
· 10 months ago
Thanks, Chris. I realized my fridge might be a good place, as well as the other places you suggested.
graceonline
· 10 months ago
Thank you for this concise summary of the ongoing CFL debate. Useful and cogent, as always.
maisie
· 10 months ago
I have cfl bulbs in all my indoor light fittings except the kitchen spots.
Have been using them for 10 years now and some are just starting to go.
Found theat my local HWRC (Louth, Lincs) collects them along with long strip tubes for mercury recycling
BETSY
· 9 months ago
Theh you are choosing to 75% more to light your home qnd that does not include the energy savings that contribute to the global warming etc. issues. Your choice.
All Comments
Recycling or proper disposal of CFL's, as in many solutions, is key. Here in Germany, I think recycling and some of these issues are part of the culture. I know in the states, the recycling culture is not quite there. It is great to have experts like you Chris, to help people think about these issue. Thanks for all you do.
Always,
Phil
Why not use your remaining incandescent bulbs in these applications -- at least until they wear out? Closet lights are a good place for incandescent bulbs. Or use them outdoors if you've not already purchased outdoor-rated CFLs. Alternately, you could take a sack of incandescent bulbs to your local mission or shelter. A lot of these places are on tight budgets and haven't yet converted to CFLs. They'll be grateful for the extra bulbs.
Have been using them for 10 years now and some are just starting to go.
Found theat my local HWRC (Louth, Lincs) collects them along with long strip tubes for mercury recycling