FORA.tv

Fuel the Enlightenment

The History and Future of Fluorescent Lighting

UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center
Rate It
6,482 Views
  • Info
  • Bio
  • Full Program
  • Highlights
  • Transcript
  • Download
  • More
back_ache Avatar
back_ache
Posts: 7
Posted: 06.24.09, 03:45 AM
If you're a lighting geek like me, the history is somewhat interesting however I would have liked to have seen some more impacting ideas presented or even just some "call to arms" to the lighting industry to raise their games and answer the consumers needs they have identified.
Permalink
Rdallas1 Avatar
Rdallas1
Posts: 44
Posted: 06.24.09, 11:06 AM
I recently put one in almost every light in my home and I definitely prefer them, much brighter than the bulbs I used before. One of my friends said it lowered the cost of her electricity bill, I am waiting to see if I have the same turn out...Very interesting video!
Permalink
SPFLDtv Avatar
SPFLDtv
Posts: 2
Posted: 06.24.09, 11:29 PM
My fluorescent lights don't appear to last much longer than my other lights, plus they contain Mercury. How do you dispose of them properly?
Permalink
Rdallas1 Avatar
Rdallas1
Posts: 44
Posted: 06.25.09, 11:40 AM
According to gelighting.com, the mercury isn't released when your using them as long as they are used properly, so you just have to be really careful when you replace them. Try not to drop or break them. Always take them out or put them in by the base not by the glass tubing. Here is an article on how to properly dispose of them: http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_li...t.htm#disposal
Permalink
greenlaserboy Avatar
greenlaserboy
Posts: 2
Posted: 08.01.09, 12:32 PM
Every CLF I have seems to burn out in less than a year. Sometimes they smell like electronic parts burning, because they ARE. I hate these things give me old fashioned lights any day. I would try LED's but they are still to expensive.
Permalink
OAKside Avatar
OAKside
Posts: 2
Posted: 08.07.09, 02:17 PM
I was excited about CFL's at first... now, not so much. They were much more expensive (3-10x) than the incandescent bulbs AND died surprisingly fast. (Despite advertisements claiming up to 10 years, mine averaged 1-2.) To top it all off, the total energy savings was unnoticeable. Perhaps next time, with higher-quality bulbs and a few tweaks (longer on/off cycles, etc.) they'll fare better for me.

"The life of a CFL is significantly shorter if it is only turned on for a few minutes at a time: In the case of a 5-minute on/off cycle the lifespan of a CFL can be up to 85% shorter, reducing its lifespan to close to that of incandescent light bulbs."
Permalink
Please log in or register to post a comment.
Advertisement

Related Programs

Cellulosic Fuel for Dummies with Dr. Larry Walker Cellulosic Fuel for Dummies with Dr. Larry Walker
00:12:47 min | 783 Views
The Churchill Club's Top Ten Tech Trends The Churchill Club's Top Ten Tech Trends
02:04:14 min | 13,007 Views
DIY Drones with Chris Anderson DIY Drones with Chris Anderson
00:27:17 min | 77,687 Views
The Future of Transportation with Robin Chase The Future of Transportation with Robin Chase
00:49:18 min | 2,076 Views
The Future of Organic Design The Future of Organic Design
00:39:32 min | 5,464 Views

Browse Programs by Tag

Arts Books Climate Change Computing Conflict Credit Crunch Defense Democratization Economic Policy Education Election 2008 Emerging Markets Energy Entertainment Entrepreneurship Environment Film Food Globalization Health & Wellness Healthcare History Internet Investing Law Medicine Music Muslim World Natural Sciences New Media Personal Technology Philanthropy Religion Social Issues Social Sciences Sustainability Terrorism The Bailout U.S. Foreign Policy White House 2009

Advertisement