Save Energy -- Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)

The CFL potential environmental impact from the mercury is not worth the savings. I believe that at least 98% of the people that buy CFLs will not dispose of them properly. Everyone that I know that have them has just thrown them in the trash.

Does it make more sense to keep my current incandescents until they burn out, or to replace them with CFLs right away?

I know that my existing bulbs are a "sunk cost", but I still feel guilty about tossing a still-functioning bulb in the trash and sending it to a landfill.

It is my understanding that these bulbs trigger migraines. I don't know if it's the flickering or something else. Since I am almost a daily migraine sufferer and can get them at a drop of the hat I will not do anything the will bring them on. And the government is mandating that they are going to be the only ones sold. Are they going to pay for my extremely expensive medicine? I am tired of migraines and try everything I can to not get them and now they tell me I have to get them. This is what people can expect from OBAMA.

right, they not only contain mercury, but they also ONLY come from china! no one else is stupid enough to produce these, except the forced-labor slums of the chinese workers. thanks walmart, nafta, et al....

either way, i'd put my money more on the new philips led bulbs v. these poison-incased cfl bulbs. to me, all this 'green' everything being sold has to be pushing the planet towards the carbon tax, as it's all way too high-profile in the moment.

they're also pushing the hell out of these bulbs, as power co's are now giving them away at lowe's and home depot. why does your power co want to save YOU money, when it loses them money???!!! it's also indicative as this blog is pushing it too! so i ask you to ponder this and wonder what's up with all the hype?!

Hello everyone,
I believe that you need to read more about CFL bulbs - the mercury that is in the bulbs is roughly 4 mg. This amount fits on the tip of a ball point pen. A single thermometer contains approx. 125 times that amount. Additionally, the mercury is contained within the bulb - unless it is broken. By switching to CFL you will be doing good for the Earth since you will be using significantly less energy - resulting in less emissions.

Regarding someone's comment about power companies pushing the bulbs - many have received grant money from the government to help them run these programs - the reason they do the programs is because a lot of the companies are at the point where they need to teach people about energy efficiency or build another power plant and nobody wants that.

Finally - can anyone name ANY light bulbs (CFL or incandescent) that are manufactured in ANY country other than China. You will be hard pressed to find one, since I can't think of any.

However, if after getting the facts about CFLs (not just rumors you've heard) you still don't want to make the switch - you should look into LEDs...either way, most incandescents (as you know them) will be phased out as of 2012.