Q: Fluorescent light bulbs in my house burn out quick. Maybe my house has old wiring? Should I keep using them or go back to the old kind?
Asked by Kim Walsh Stone, ’91, JD ’96, from Sacramento, Calif.
Is there anything more frustrating than a bright idea that doesn't live up to its promise? The life span of a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), used under optimal conditions, is up to 10,000 hours, according to the US Department of Energy. The problem is, "optimal conditions" doesn't always describe where we live and where we need a little extra light. Many CFL bulbs will live out their useful lives without any fuss. Others may simply malfunction. But the reality is that 50 percent of CFL bulbs can and do fail before the end of their stated lifetime. But that doesn't mean it's time to chuck (er, recycle responsibly) the things entirely.
Before you blame your wiring—a possible, but unlikely cause—you might want to check your bulbs, as well as how and where you're using them. Some are simply poorly made: you should check for the government's Energy Star label to help you identify brands that have passed performance tests and come with a minimum two-year warranty. You can contact manufacturers directly for refunds or replacements, and report repeat offenders to Energy Star. Just as important, however, your perfectly good CFLs might be done in by poor package instructions. CFL bulbs are more efficient than incandescents, but they're fussier, too.
The first thing to check is installation. We've become used to robust incandescent bulbs, but CFLs can be a little touchy. Twisting them too tightly into the socket, for example, can reduce their lives. Next, make sure you've got the right kind of CFL for the job. Some of the bulbs are meant to be used only in downward-facing fixtures. Others are designed specifically for enclosed, three-way or outdoor light fixtures. Using the wrong sort of bulb in an enclosed fixture, for example, can lead to overheating and the early demise of the bulb's delicate internal components. Installing the wrong type of bulb in your fixtures can greatly reduce its life expectancy. If this all sounds terribly complicated, the Energy Star program's website has an interactive webpage that can help you fine-tune your CFL selection.
The way you use your CFLs can also cause them to burn out more quickly. You can check out this earlier SAGE column for more details, but CFLs need to warm up, which can take approximately three minutes, to begin working efficiently. Worse, switching them off and on frequently can shorten life up to 85 percent, according to General Electric. We've all been taught to turn the lights out when we leave the room, but generally speaking with CFLs, if you're going to be gone for less than 15 minutes, you should leave the lights on.
Next, are there any sources of vibration near the light bulbs in your house? Even the vibrations caused by fans and AC units, for example, can shake the life out of your bulbs, and a jolt with each slam of the front door can cause failure. Some more robust bulbs are designed for use in ceiling fans, so seeking them out is another option. Finally, fluorescent lamps generally don't do well in colder areas. In temperatures lower than about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, CFLs may not be able to generate enough heat to run efficiently, so the lamps will glow dimly and flicker. If you're taking our advice at the end of this SAGE column on cutting back on heating costs a little too far, you might actually be undermining your CFLs in the process.
If nothing else, though, you should know that you are not alone. Premature CFL burnout has been a consistent annoyance for years. Some blame government efforts to push for lower-priced CFLs, resulting in cheap components and unreliable bulbs. The U.S. government began enforcing tighter specifications for CFLs last year, so quality should improve. In the meantime, you can report any duds to Energy Star before recycling them with a qualified local recycler, which you can find through the EPA or at earth911.org. Often, you need only return them to the retailer you bought them from in the first place. Whatever you do, remember that CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, and shouldn't be smashed, trashed or otherwise abused, no matter how much aggravation they cause.
Susana Montes earned her master's in journalism in 2010.
