33 CFL Light Bulbs Facts That No One Told You Before!

CFLs are known as compact fluorescent lamps or compact fluorescent light bulbs.

CFL lamps use a tube that is curved which enables them to fit into the same light output as incandescent bulbs. There is also an electronic ballast and a magnetic core at the bottom of the lamp.

These fluorescent light bulbs are used in place of incandescent light bulbs as CFLs are energy-saving lights. Incandescent lamps have a visible light spectrum while the light output of a CFL bulb is almost 360 which helps to illuminate a larger area.

Early CFL halogen bulbs were the dominant technology but after the invention of LED lights, the sales for CFL started to fall.

Facts About CFL Light Bulbs

A compact fluorescent lamp consumes less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and therefore less greenhouse gasses are emitted. The mercury content is an essential part of fluorescent light, and incandescent lighting emits the most greenhouse gases from power plants.

A CFL bulb, on the other hand, reduces mercury emissions as well. The mercury that is present inside these bulbs is quite toxic, and that is why they are hazardous waste.

In order to get rid of piling waste, after a bulb stops working, it should be taken to a recycling center or household hazardous waste event. The broken pieces are also accepted in stores such as IKEA, Home Depot, and more.

Even though the mercury content in a single CFL bulb is as small as the tip of a ballpoint pen, several broken bulbs can cause harm.

If a bulb breaks inside the house, it won't do much harm.

In any case, if a CFL bulb bursts, there is nothing to worry about as the mercury will simply evaporate in the air. In this case, windows should be opened to let in the fresh air, and the broken pieces should be removed using duct tape or a broom instead of a vacuum cleaner.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs have an average of 0.00014 oz (4 mg) of mercury in each bulb, which is quite less than an incandescent bulb.

Another interesting fact about CFL bulbs is that there is no mercury released from a bulb when in use, while an incandescent light bulb emits mercury when broken or in use.

Both incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs get very hot as most of their energy is released in the form of heat and not light, which makes them less efficient.

Even then, CFLs produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs.

CFL bulbs have been out of production since halogen bulbs came onto the market. Halogen bulbs have a halogen capsule inside of a standard incandescent bulb, and they contain no mercury.

Even though they use more energy than CFL bulbs, they use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs have also become an alternative as they are mercury-free and use the same amount of energy as CFL bulbs.

In the case of areas that need powerful lighting, high-intensity discharge bulbs such as sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal-halide lamps can be used. Even though they contain mercury, their appeal is in their higher light output.

The production of CFL bulbs in many areas has been banned, as, after the peak of the bulbs in 2007, there was no upgrade to the bulbs, while LED bulbs gained the right amount of recognition with their mercury-free lighting. CFLs are temperature-sensitive and don't work well in cold conditions.

They are also not recommended for enclosed fixtures and have a longer warm-up time. Not only do they not dim smoothly, but dimming decreases the lifespan of the bulbs.

For these reasons, CFLs have started to get off the market and LED bulbs are much more in demand.

LED bulbs are mercury-free and have no problem functioning in cold or hot temperatures. Not only do they have unlimited color temperatures, but they also dim smoothly with no effect on their lifespan.

Fluorescent Bulbs Vs CFL Light Bulbs

While standard fluorescent light bulbs are available in tubes that are about 48-84 in (121-213 cm), CFL bulbs are quite small. As the name 'compact fluorescent light bulbs' suggests, the light sources are quite compact.

Fluorescent bulbs are made in certain shapes with special technologies to fit into household light sockets like table lamps and ceiling fixtures, while all CFL bulbs mostly have the same shape and can't fit into any socket. CFL bulbs also tend to have integral electronic ballasts, while fluorescent bulbs tend to have separate ballast.

Fluorescent bulbs are quite efficient as they don't burn out quickly, but rather take a lot of time to wear out. CFL bulbs, on the other hand, have a sudden burnout.

Fluorescent bulbs convert ultraviolet light into visible light inside the light bulb. The UV light gives out radiation, which is produced by the electrical charge that is run through the amount of mercury present in the bulb.

The invisible ultraviolet light that is startled by the electricity emits subsequent amounts of radiation.

Standard CFLs, on the other hand, do not emit much radiation as the presence of mercury is quite low in a CFL bulb, unlike in an incandescent bulb. Not only do fluorescent bulbs contain mercury in large amounts, but they are also omnidirectional, meaning that in order to use their bright effects, a lot of accessory parts are necessary.

How much energy is consumed by CFL light bulbs?

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, because of their energy efficiency, can consume almost 75% less energy than an incandescent bulb.

If America replaced all the incandescent lights with energy star program-approved CFL bulbs, then the renewable energy savings will allow almost 3 million homes to be lit every year and also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases similar to about 800,000 cars.

CFL bulbs use about 1/3rd to 1/5th of the electrical power that incandescent light bulbs use. CFLs typically last about 8-15 times longer than incandescent lights and are therefore a better choice.

CFL bulbs are a good choice for efficient lighting as they produce slightly more heat than LED lights. As the electricity costs are similar, LED lights are more preferred in houses.

LED bulbs last longer and save time and money in the long run. CFLs use 13-15 watts of energy compared to the 60 watts of energy usage of traditional bulbs, but LEDs use 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them incredibly energy efficient.

What is the lifespan of CFL light bulbs?

A compact fluorescent lamp, because of its fluorescent coating, is more energy-efficient than an incandescent bulb. The energy efficiency of a CFL bulb is less than that of an LED bulb but more than an incandescent lamp.

The life span of a CFL bulb is about 8000 hours, while the lifespan of LED lights is 25,000. A compact fluorescent lamp also consumes more energy than LED light bulbs and costs more as well.

The traditional light bulb, which is an incandescent lamp, is the worst light source when it comes to saving energy. Typically, these lights only last for 750 hours and require more electricity.

The lifespan of a CFL depends on factors like the operating voltage, manufacturing defects, exposure to voltage spikes, mechanical shock, frequency of cycling on and off, and operating temperature.

The lifespan tends to become shorter if it is frequently switched on and off. The U.S. Energy Star lamp suggests that a light bulb should be left switched on for less than 15 minutes to avoid the problem of CFL bulbs becoming useless like incandescent bulbs.