Myths & Facts About Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)

Myth: CFLs Are Expensive

Fact: CFLs are more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, but the expense is offset by its long life. While incandescent light bulbs last one year at the most, fluorescent lights can last up to 10 years.

Myth: CFLs Waste Energy

Fact: CFLs cost more energy to make, but the cost is offset by the energy they save. According to the Illuminating Engineer Society, it costs about one to two kilowatt-hours of energy--about 25 cents' worth--to make a fluorescent light bulb, but it saves up to 200 kilowatt-hours of energy.

Myth: CFLs Need Time to Warm Up

Fact: Early CFLs flickered when turned on, but modern CFLs do not require warm-up time. They do, however, still last longer when they are used constantly, rather than cycled on and off.

Myth: Mercury in CFLs is Harmful

Fact: CFLs contain mercury, which is harmful to humans and the environment, but the energy savings of fluorescent lights reduce mercury emissions by power plants. In addition, according to researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, breaking a fluorescent light in a closed room would expose you to the same levels of mercury you'd get from eating a can of albacore tuna.

Myth: CFLs Are Hard to Recycle

Fact: Most stores that sell CFLs accept used, unbroken bulbs to recycle. CFLs should never be thrown in the regular trash.

Sources & Further Reading:

• The Real Deal on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
• Three CFL Myths Busted
• The Facts on Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
• CFL Bulbs: The Myths
• CFL Facts and Myths
• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL) Myths Answered

Photo Credit: John Steven Fernandez