Step #1: Change Your Lights to...?

[KurtNYC]

At the end of Gore's movie, they give you 10 things you can do. Change your lights was #1.

The media keeps pushing fluorescent, especially those curly things that look like a twist cone. Why don't they mention LED? LED has the potential to be even more efficient than fluorescent and it doesn't produce heat. There are many desk lamps and other LEDs on the market. Seems like something is holding it back.

:shrug:

[Kutjara]

1. I believe it's the cost.

I was reading up on the different energy-saving lighting options recently and, as you say, LED beats just about anything else hands down. It's just not quite ready for the mass market. While the LEDs in desk lamps and flashlights are suitable for spot illumination, it costs quite a bit more to make the technology work in a general purpose bulb. I should only be another year or two before that problem is cracked and LED bulbs fall in price to the level of compact flourescents.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. I'm with Kutjara - in a year or two we'll have 'em. I can't wait!

Flourescents use less energy, and are less environmentaly wasteful because they last so long, but they also use mercury and some other harmful stuff so they aren't quite perfect.

LED lighting systems will be fucking awesome when they come out!

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. And if you break one of those fluorescent bulbs

it is warned to wear gloves to clean it up, put it in a bag/plastic sack, and do not vacuum as it can cause further mercury exposure.

What should I do if a CFL breaks?
Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFLs, your greatest risk if a bulb breaks
is getting cut from glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk to
you or your family should a bulb break and it’s cleaned up properly. You can minimize any
risks by following these proper clean-up and disposal guidelines:
• Sweep up—don’t vacuum—all of the glass fragments and fine particles.
• Place broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper
towel to pick up any stray shards of glass or fine particles. Put the used towel in the
plastic bag as well.
• If weather permits, open windows to allow the room to ventilate.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

[conscious evolution]

3. low voltage DC lighting will also cut back on energy use

I have 5 12 volt dc lights that I use in my kitchen.Combined they only draw 50 watts.To get comparable light with normal incadescant lights would require at least 200 watts of power used.The new Flourescent bulbs would use over 100 watts.
Leds will be good when they hit the market in quantities needed to bring down the cost but until then I recommend low voltage light fixtures.

[dropkickpa]

5. Some problems

all fluorecents flicker, even if it is imperceptable. This is an issue for people with light triggered migraines, sensory disorders (many autistic people have problems with fluoro lights), epilepsy, etc (fluorecents give me migraines). To reduce this, make sure the bulb has an electrical ballast that cycles above 20,000 hz (some people may still have issues, but the number is much smaller). Also, CFL's should be disposed of the same as batteries, paint, etc.

I haven't switched to CFL's but I am eagerly awaiting LED light bulbs for standard home use, though.