Why I Hate Compact Florescent Lightbulbs

Gear Diary is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Click here to learn More.

Why I Hate Compact Florescent Lightbulbs Listen to this article

Why I Hate Compact Florescent Lightbulbs

Okay, look:  there’s no question that ordinary incandescent light bulbs are on the way out.  Another few years, and they’re going to be as rare as candles.  I’m okay with that; they’re a 150-year old technology, they put out most of their energy as heat rather than light, they’re inefficient.  With more and more people crowding our poor planet, and more need to make the best of the resources we have, I can dig it.  I’m okay with it.

ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4

But I’m pretty convinced the CF light bulbs are not the way to go.  Yes, they’re definitely more efficient.  Other than that, honestly, they suck rocks.  How? Let me count the ways:

  • CFs cost more to manufacture than incandescents
  • CFs cost more at the store–quite a bit more, honestly
  • The light they give out–and let’s not be diplomatic here–sucks; it’s harsh and unpleasant, and you have to protect yourself with a lot of gauzy lampshades to deal with it
  • They are filled with mercury, which is a flippin’ neurotixin; yes, the same chemical that caused us to stop using glass fever thermometers they are now putting in our light bulbs
  • Because of the mercury, any time you break one of these suckers, you’re supposed to air out the room for several hours (yes, you read that right!)
  • Because of the mercury, when you get rid of these babies, you’re not supposed to just dump them in the trash–which is almost certainly what almost everyone will do–but rather there is a complicated disposal process that you the average person can’t deal with; right now, your best bet is to collect them and hand them in at your nearest Home Depot (No Home Depot nearby?  Bummer!)
  • Because of the mercury, there have been reports of mercury poisoning by workers at the manufacturing plants of the bulbs
  • The high price is supposedly compensated for by the extra life of the bulb–a proposition I’ve found, in the actual world, that doesn’t hold up worth beans; I’m lucky if I get a year’s use out of a “3 year” bulb–hardly cost effective
So in conclusion, we’ve gone to a more energy efficient solution by accepting a deadly neurotoxin into our homes with a higher cost, more difficulty in disposal, more danger in manufacture, that pubs out an inferior quality of light.
Yup, I know we can’t go on with incandescent bulbs.  But this is really a crappy alternative.  Any of you folks got a better one?  I’m thinking:  candles.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Gear Diary Staff
Gear Diary was founded on September 30, 2006, with the goal to create a website that would not easily be labeled. Everyone who is part of Gear Diary is a professional who uses technology in their work and daily lives. On this site, we share our enthusiasm while exploring the gear we use — the equipment that makes our lives easier, more entertaining, more productive, and more manageable. Our hope is that Gear Diary visitors find this site to be a welcoming, friendly, and accessible place to learn about and discuss interesting topics — and not only those that are tech-related! Gear Diary is a place to discover and explore all kinds of new gear, including smartphones, computers, kitchen gadgets, Toys, EDC, camping gear, or even your next new car! You can follow us on Twitter @GearDiarySite.