Letters to the Editor
-
when not to use compact fluorescent bulbs
1) anytime color rendition matters (i.e. artwork, color matching etc.)
2) any time the bulbs will be used outdoors in the cold. I recently replaced a PAR floodlight with a CFL equivalent. Now I can't use it unless I wait for at least 35 to 40 minutes for the CFL to reach full brightness. The same is true for the CFL's in my outdoor front lights. it would be interesting to contrast the energy usage of an incandescent bulb for five or 10 minutes while the dog does her stuff versus leaving a CFL on all evening so it will be on when we need it.
3) if you have photosensitive migraines triggered by blue or flickering light. By though very nature of how they generate light, CFL's have a strong blue component in their spectrum. blue light or flickering light is frequently implicated in migraine triggering. if you notice an uptick in the number of migraines you get after converting to CFL's, you might want to go back to the old standby. For what it's worth, white light LEDs are no better because they are basically blue LEDs with a white phosphor.
And as always, for any lighting, it's important to use the right amount of light for the task and in a fully shielded fixture so the light goes down on the ground where it belongs and not up in the air or in your eyes.