Compact Flourescent Lamps
Advantages
It's not just advertising, these lights are as beneficial as the manufacturers say they are. There are many programs across the world seeking to replace standard light bulbs with CFLs. Some energy companies (in other countries) are even replacing lights for free.
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CFLs come in a variety of styles,
some provide different benefits, such as better diffusion or softer
light.
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There are many direct and easily quantifiable benefits. CFLs
are guaranteed to pay for themselves after a certain range of time, although
this statistic varies depending on use. Most sources disagree on the specific
time before you've saved the cost of the light, but they all agree that the
CFLs recoup their own initial cost.
The savings come into play in a few different ways. You directly save due to less energy used. This energy efficiency is due to the lower wattage requirement for a similar amount of light. For example, an average 75 watt bulb can be replaced by an equivalent 18 to 20 watt CFL. This not only saves money, but helps to control carbon emissions. Another factor improving their efficiency is the operating temperature. CFLs run cooler than their inefficient counterparts. This helps demonstrate that the energy is being used to produce much more light than heat. Additionally, in the summer months, your air conditioner will not be required to compensate for the various lights putting out a surplus of heat. And in the winter months, the energy saved can be used for more efficient methods and placement of heating devices.
Lifespan is another clear indicator of overall cost. The statistics for this also vary widely, but it's generally thought that a CFL lasts 8 to 16 times longer than an equivalent incandescent.
Another little known benefit is in "black light" or UV light. Since an incandescent generates a wider spectrum of color, the UV portion is only a fraction of the total. The CFL, being a gas discharge lamp, does not generate a wide frequency spectrum, the actual color is a design choice.
The environmental benefit is clear. Less of these will need to be disposed in the long run. Also, less power will be drawn from plants that produce extreme amounts of carbon dioxide. These benefits will only become more apparent with time, and the gap will widen as CFL technology improves and standard lights become a 'thing of the past.'
| Disadvantages of CFLs |