10 reasons from t8led
Why you should change to led
1. Frequent Switching
It is a well-known fact that if a lamp is installed where it is frequently switched on and off, it will age rapidly. Under extreme conditions, its lifespan may be severely shorter than a cheap incandescent lamp. Each start cycle slightly erodes the electron-emitting surface of the cathodes; when all the emission material is gone, the lamp cannot start with the available ballast voltage.
Fixtures intended for flashing of lights (such as for advertising) will use a ballast that maintains cathode temperature when the arc is off, preserving the life of the lamp.
The extra energy used to start a fluorescent lamp is equivalent to a few seconds of normal operation; it is more energy-efficient to switch off lamps when not required for several minutes.
Fixtures intended for flashing of lights (such as for advertising) will use a ballast that maintains cathode temperature when the arc is off, preserving the life of the lamp.
The extra energy used to start a fluorescent lamp is equivalent to a few seconds of normal operation; it is more energy-efficient to switch off lamps when not required for several minutes.
2. Fluorescent Bulbs Contain Mercury
When a fluorescent tube is broken, an averaged amount of 5.3mg of mercury is released (1200mm fluorescent tubes). To dampen this effect, compact fluorescent tubes have been designed to contain the least amount of mercury, although it still contains the chemical. A very small amount of this can contaminate the surrounding environment. Approximately 99% of the mercury is typically contained in the phosphor, especially tubes at the end of their lifespan.
The broken glass is considered a greater hazard than the small amount of spilled mercury, as the build-up of this can pollute the environment. New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment assesses the relative environmental impact of mercury-containing products and states that it is a potential source of emission in New Zealand; contributing approximately 50 kg/year which is 3% of total anthropogenic emissions and less than 2% of overall mercury emission from New Zealand.
The broken glass is considered a greater hazard than the small amount of spilled mercury, as the build-up of this can pollute the environment. New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment assesses the relative environmental impact of mercury-containing products and states that it is a potential source of emission in New Zealand; contributing approximately 50 kg/year which is 3% of total anthropogenic emissions and less than 2% of overall mercury emission from New Zealand.
3. Fluorescent bulbs Radiate Ultraviolet Light
Fluorescent lights emit a small amount of ultraviolet (UV) light. Sensitive individuals may experience a variety of health problems relating to light sensitivity that is aggravated by artificial lighting. Ultraviolet light can cause damage to paintings, especially water-colours and textiles.
As evolution proves, light-emitting products have been only a recent discovery compared to the lifetime of humans. The light bulb gave humans the ability to do more at night and work in enclosed rooms without the requirement of windows. However, light produced by this human-creation is nothing compared to natural-sunlight.
The sun gives us a full spectrum of light which means the light spans the entirety of the visual spectrum. Fluorescent lights give off a limited spectrum. Most the human-body’s chemistry is based on the day-night cycle and it is referred to as the “Circadian Rhythm”. The theory is that if an individual does not get sufficient exposure to natural sunlight, his/her Circadian Rhythm can potentially be thrown out of sync; thus, causing effects such as:
The flickering effects of fluorescent tubes can be a potential cause of the stated symptoms also.
As evolution proves, light-emitting products have been only a recent discovery compared to the lifetime of humans. The light bulb gave humans the ability to do more at night and work in enclosed rooms without the requirement of windows. However, light produced by this human-creation is nothing compared to natural-sunlight.
The sun gives us a full spectrum of light which means the light spans the entirety of the visual spectrum. Fluorescent lights give off a limited spectrum. Most the human-body’s chemistry is based on the day-night cycle and it is referred to as the “Circadian Rhythm”. The theory is that if an individual does not get sufficient exposure to natural sunlight, his/her Circadian Rhythm can potentially be thrown out of sync; thus, causing effects such as:
- Eye Strain
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Depression
- Stress/Anxiety due to cortisol suppression
- Obesity
- Agoraphobia (Anxiety Disorder)
The flickering effects of fluorescent tubes can be a potential cause of the stated symptoms also.
4. The "Buzzing" Noise On the fluorescent Ballasts
Magnetic ballasts have a low power factor. Fluorescent tubes require a ballast to stabilize the current through the lamp, and to provide the initial striking voltage required to start the arc discharge. This increases the cost of fluorescent light fixtures, though often one ballast is shared between two or in some cases more tubes.
Electromagnetic ballasts even with a minor fault can produce an audible humming or buzzing noise. These ballasts are usually filled with tar-like potting compound to reduce emitted noise. Noise-pollution is eliminated in lamps with a high-frequency electronic ballast. Energy lost in magnetic ballasts can be significantly high, on the order of 10% of lamp input power – electronic ballasts reduces this loss. Small lamps may use an incandescent lamp as a ballast if the supply voltage is high enough to allow the lamp to start.
Electromagnetic ballasts even with a minor fault can produce an audible humming or buzzing noise. These ballasts are usually filled with tar-like potting compound to reduce emitted noise. Noise-pollution is eliminated in lamps with a high-frequency electronic ballast. Energy lost in magnetic ballasts can be significantly high, on the order of 10% of lamp input power – electronic ballasts reduces this loss. Small lamps may use an incandescent lamp as a ballast if the supply voltage is high enough to allow the lamp to start.
5. Power Quality and Radio Interference
Inductive ballasts include power factor correction capacitors. Simple electronic ballasts may also have a lower power factor due to their rectifier input stage.
Fluorescent tubes are a non-linear load and generate harmonic currents in the electrical power supply. The arc within the lamp may generate radio frequency noise, which can be conducted through power-wiring. Slight suppression of radio interference is possible. Satisfactory suppression is also possible, but adds to the costs of fixtures and appliances.
Fluorescent tubes are a non-linear load and generate harmonic currents in the electrical power supply. The arc within the lamp may generate radio frequency noise, which can be conducted through power-wiring. Slight suppression of radio interference is possible. Satisfactory suppression is also possible, but adds to the costs of fixtures and appliances.
6. inefficiency at high and low temperature
Fluorescent lamps operate best around room temperature. At much lower or higher temperatures, efficiency decreases. At below-freezing temperatures standard lamps may not start. Special lamps may be required for reliable service to various outdoor temperatures – which may cause further costs.
7. Retrofit Issues due to Lamp-Shade
Fluorescent tubes are long, low-luminance sources compared with high pressure arc lamps and incandescent lamps. However, low luminous intensity of the emitting surface is useful due to reduced glare.
Lamp fixture design must control light from a long tube instead of a compact globe. The compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) replaces regular incandescent bulbs. However, some CFLs do not fit some lamps, because the harp (heavy wire shade support bracket) is shaped for the narrow neck of an incandescent lamp, while CFLs contrast to this as they tend to have wide housing for the electronic ballast close to the lamp’s base; thus, causing extra costs.
Lamp fixture design must control light from a long tube instead of a compact globe. The compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) replaces regular incandescent bulbs. However, some CFLs do not fit some lamps, because the harp (heavy wire shade support bracket) is shaped for the narrow neck of an incandescent lamp, while CFLs contrast to this as they tend to have wide housing for the electronic ballast close to the lamp’s base; thus, causing extra costs.
8. Most FLUORESCENTs can not be dimmed
Fluorescent light fixtures cannot be connected to dimmer switches intended for incandescent lamps.
Dimming installations require a compatible dimming ballast. These systems keep the cathodes of the fluorescent tube fully heated even as the arc current is reduced, promoting easy thermionic emission of electrons into the arc stream.
- The waveform of the voltage emitted by a standard phase-control dimmer interacts badly with many ballasts.
- It becomes difficult to sustain an arc in the fluorescent tube at low power levels.
Dimming installations require a compatible dimming ballast. These systems keep the cathodes of the fluorescent tube fully heated even as the arc current is reduced, promoting easy thermionic emission of electrons into the arc stream.
9. Contaminants cause disposal and recycling issues
The disposal of phosphor and particularly the toxic mercury in the tubes is an environmental issue, as stated above.
Governmental regulations in many areas require special disposal of fluorescent lamps separate from general and household wastes.
For large commercial or industrial users of fluorescent lights, recycling services are available in many nations, and may be required by regulation. In some areas, recycling is also available to consumers. However, even though recycling is available, it can be expensive and time-consuming. As people experience costly/timely procedures to dispose of the lamps, people are not motivated to recycle; which causes disposal of lamps in ways that are harmful to New Zealand’s environment.
Governmental regulations in many areas require special disposal of fluorescent lamps separate from general and household wastes.
For large commercial or industrial users of fluorescent lights, recycling services are available in many nations, and may be required by regulation. In some areas, recycling is also available to consumers. However, even though recycling is available, it can be expensive and time-consuming. As people experience costly/timely procedures to dispose of the lamps, people are not motivated to recycle; which causes disposal of lamps in ways that are harmful to New Zealand’s environment.
10. Light from Fluorescent bulb is non-directional
The light from fluorescent bulbs are a non-directional light source. When this bulb is lit, it gives off lighting all the way around the bulb or otherwise, 360 degrees. This proves that 60-70% of the actual light emitted by the lamp is being used with the remaining rays going to waste. This wasted light tends to lead to light-pollution.