Comments on: Are CFLs all they are cracked up to be? http://thegldc.com/blog/2009/08/31/are-cfls-all-they-are-cracked-up-to-be/ Greening America one blog post at a time Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:32:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Toni Chanakas http://thegldc.com/blog/2009/08/31/are-cfls-all-they-are-cracked-up-to-be/#comment-6044 Toni Chanakas Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:40:06 +0000 http://thegldc.com/blog/?p=905#comment-6044 I am right there with you Robert. I replaced most of my bulbs with CFL at least 3 years ago; and, I have not had to replace them since then. One stopped working, but other than that I have not had any problems. I can't wait until 2012 when everyone has to use CFL's. I get all of these bulbs mixed up. I am happy there are places like Home Depot that will recycle them. I am right there with you Robert. I replaced most of my bulbs with CFL at least 3 years ago; and, I have not had to replace them since then. One stopped working, but other than that I have not had any problems. I can’t wait until 2012 when everyone has to use CFL’s. I get all of these bulbs mixed up. I am happy there are places like Home Depot that will recycle them.

]]> By: Susie Sharp http://thegldc.com/blog/2009/08/31/are-cfls-all-they-are-cracked-up-to-be/#comment-6007 Susie Sharp Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:11:33 +0000 http://thegldc.com/blog/?p=905#comment-6007 Robert, I'd like to share with you: http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2009/07/coming-soon-a-new-cfl-with-no-risk-of-mercury-contamination/ Tom Irvine, the CEO of ClearLite: New CFL Technology - where you don't have to worry about breaking CFL bulbs: Tom’s CFL bulbs (which are qualified by Energy Star) are completely unique, and there are several features that set them apart from the CFLs we’re using now. The ClearLite bulbs are different in the following ways: They use no liquid mercury. The bulb contains amalgam (which is an alloy of mercury) combined with other metals in solid form. If you have silver fillings in your mouth, then you know about amalgam. The bulb is encased with a silicon composite. This means that when the glass is broken the silicone collapses as well, helping trap the glass and metals inside so they don’t escape into your home. The amalgam is much easier to handle than liquid mercury because it comes in hard balls, like tiny BBs. This means it’s a safer alternative for the factory workers where the bulbs are produced. The ClearLite bulbs are encased in a regular glass bulb, which makes them look more like traditional light bulbs. Because these bulbs are encased in silicone the light seems more natural looking. The glass isn’t frosted like regular A-shaped CFL bulbs, which seems to be safer for factory workers. Some of the ClearLite models in the future will be dimmable. Robert, I’d like to share with you:

http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2009/07/coming-soon-a-new-cfl-with-no-risk-of-mercury-contamination/

Tom Irvine, the CEO of ClearLite: New CFL Technology – where you don’t have to worry about breaking CFL bulbs:

Tom’s CFL bulbs (which are qualified by Energy Star) are completely unique, and there are several features that set them apart from the CFLs we’re using now.

The ClearLite bulbs are different in the following ways:

They use no liquid mercury. The bulb contains amalgam (which is an alloy of mercury) combined with other metals in solid form. If you have silver fillings in your mouth, then you know about amalgam.
The bulb is encased with a silicon composite. This means that when the glass is broken the silicone collapses as well, helping trap the glass and metals inside so they don’t escape into your home.
The amalgam is much easier to handle than liquid mercury because it comes in hard balls, like tiny BBs. This means it’s a safer alternative for the factory workers where the bulbs are produced.
The ClearLite bulbs are encased in a regular glass bulb, which makes them look more like traditional light bulbs.
Because these bulbs are encased in silicone the light seems more natural looking. The glass isn’t frosted like regular A-shaped CFL bulbs, which seems to be safer for factory workers.
Some of the ClearLite models in the future will be dimmable.

]]> By: Steve Cadwell http://thegldc.com/blog/2009/08/31/are-cfls-all-they-are-cracked-up-to-be/#comment-6006 Steve Cadwell Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:23:51 +0000 http://thegldc.com/blog/?p=905#comment-6006 Great post. I hadn't read too much lately about the CFL/Hg concern, especially from a quantitative perspective. Good to know that the amount of mercury per bulb is being reduced, *and* that several places recycle burned out bulbs. Thanks. One other concern folks (should) have is how to clean up a broken bulb, which I've had to do twice. (I'm clumsy, okay?) Pretty simple and safe if you follow best practices, the knowledge of which is available to anyone who knows how to use Google. Great post. I hadn’t read too much lately about the CFL/Hg concern, especially from a quantitative perspective. Good to know that the amount of mercury per bulb is being reduced, *and* that several places recycle burned out bulbs. Thanks.

One other concern folks (should) have is how to clean up a broken bulb, which I’ve had to do twice. (I’m clumsy, okay?) Pretty simple and safe if you follow best practices, the knowledge of which is available to anyone who knows how to use Google.

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