What are the pros and cons of using CFLs?
Pros — Each CFL uses about 70-75% fewer watts than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light (lumens). CFLs also last much longer (10,000 hours vs. 1,000 hours), reducing purchasing costs and labor involved in constant lamp replacement throughout the office. CFLs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and wattages, fitting in most fixtures, including small candelabra styles. Several varieties are now available that work with three-way switches and dimmers. Cons — CFLs do have a few limitations. They don’t perform well at cold temperatures, making them more difficult in outdoor fixtures in winter. The warm-up time is increased so that they don’t give off their full light for up to 10 minutes, depending on the temperatures. If they are used in a fixture that vibrates, such as a ceiling fan, that may shorten their life. You’ll also need to buy specially marked CFLs if you plan to use them outdoors, in closed fixtures, or with dimmer switches.
