Home Lamps: Best Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Posted on 01 August 2009

Home Lamps: Compact Fluorescent Lighting

Over the last decade there has been much discussion concerning the need to replace the familiar tear-dropped shaped incandescent bulb with the spiral-tube shaped compact fluorescent light (CFL) typically used for home lamps.  CFLs use less than 1/3 of the energy required of an incandescent and can last up to nine or ten years.  When the CFLs were first widely distributed, consumers hated them. Compared to the warmth of the incandescent, the light emitted by the CFL was considered dim and antiseptic.  In addition, the CFLs were too big for many fixtures and they were expensive – up to $25 per bulb.  However, today the CFL is much improved.  The new bulbs are smaller, cheaper ($5 or less), and they provide comparable brightness (PM, 2007).

In May of 2007, Popular Mechanics performed a test comparing a 75-watt incandescent against seven common CFLs.  Could the quality of light compare with the incandescent?  The results were surprising. Overall, the incandescent bulb measured slightly higher in brightness, but not dramatically so. In overall light quality, all the CFLs scored higher – requiring less energy and providing better light. The N:Vision Soft White and the Westinghouse Natural Light scored the highest and the Westinghouse Soft White and the GE Soft White scored the lowest in this test (PM, 2007).

Best CFL Bulb – N:Vision Soft White: According to several reviews, the N:Vision is considered one of the best CFL bulbs.  The light emitted is somewhat more yellow than the light from an incandescent and less blue than the light emitted from a standard florescent bulb.  The N: Vision Soft Whites are sold almost exclusively at Home Depot and there is a nine year warranty – save your receipt.  The N:Vision bulbs do not work with dimmers.  For a bulb that does work on a dimmer, Consumer Research recommends the Phillips Halogena Energy Star Saver, a halogen light bulb for around $5 (CR, 2009).

Efficiency and Quality: CFLs use about 70-75% less electricity than incandescents. Even accounting for the cost of the bulbs, the CFL is cheaper to run.  CFLs will last longer when not tuned on and off frequently as is typically the case for bathrooms and kitchens (PM, 2007). Unlike the older CFLs, the new models do not flicker when they are first turned on. Most CFLs do not turn on or off instantly – and it may take 30 seconds for the bulb to reach 80% output. (CRP, 2008).

Mercury: CFLs contain an average of 5 milligrams (.005) or less of mercury which is used to increase the bulbs energy. This is approximately enough to cover the point of a ballpoint pen. Mercury is not emitted when in use or being handled.  However, the CFL should not be thrown in the trash can, but rather properly recycled. And, a broken CFL could be harmful to a fetus or an infant.  In such a case, the windows should be opened and the room aired for around 15 minutes (CRP, 2008).    Contact your local recycling center or Energy Star 911 for disposal instructions (PM, 2007).  Also, Home Depot, Ikea, and some Ace and True Value stores will accept unbroken CFL bulbs (CRP, 2008).

While there are more efficient light sources available in terms of energy consumption such as the halogen bulb, the CFL is certainly an affordable alternative to consider for a home lamp.  Overall, CFLs require less energy and provide light almost as good as or better than the incandescents – depending on the specific bulb.

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References:
(PM, 2007) Popular Mechanics, May 2007: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/4215199.html
(CR, 2009) Consumer Research, June 2009:  http://www.consumersearch.com/light-bulbs/nvision-soft-white
(CRP, 2008)  Consumer Reports, October 2008: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/home-improvement/hardware-building-supplies/lightbulbs/compact-fluorescent-lighting-10-07/overview/bulbs-ov.htm

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