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March 3rd, 2010
Do you hate fluorescent lighting as much as I do?
I hate fluorescent lighting. I always have. I once worked at a company that had a horrible conference room lit with ugly fluorescent lighting, and every time I was summoned to a meeting in there, I would turn off the lights. Better to work by the light of our computer screens, I reasoned, then to drown in a greenish fluorescent bath. No one ever asked me to leave the lights on, so I guess my colleagues hated the lights too.
My disdain for mercury-laden fluorescent lighting has grown even stronger since I started working for a company that makes LED lighting. That’s because I now sit in an office lit by beautiful, dimmable LED lights and it’s pretty nice. I’ve never felt the need to switch off the lights here. I’ve also learned a lot about the downsides of fluorescent lighting: the headaches, migraines, eye strain and discomfort those icky lights can trigger in some people thanks to their notorious, sometimes subtle, sometimes painfully obvious flicker.
I must admit that even though I’m not a fan of fluorescent lights, they are more efficient than energy-sucking incandescent lights. But they also contain toxic mercury. Sadly, a lot of people don’t realize you’re not supposed to toss CFLs in garbage. There are special ways you’re supposed to dispose of CFLs (and all fluorescent lights) so you don’t muck up landfills with mercury.
Of course I crave the day when everyone will get to live, work and shop under energy-efficient LED lights. But until then, it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in hating fluorescents. A quick Twitter search of “fluorescent lights” shows a slew of disparaging comments about the lights. Some from the past week are so amusing I have to share them:
If you’re sick of fluorescent lighting too, then become a fan of “Banishing Ugly Fluorescent Lighting” on facebook. I’m not sure it will make a difference, but it always feels good to complain in the comfort of other like-minded people.
5 Responses to “Do you hate fluorescent lighting as much as I do?”
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A single kilowatt-hour of electricity will generate 1.34 pounds (610 g) of CO2 emissions. Assuming the average light bulb is on for 10 hours a day, a single 40-watt incandescent bulb will generate 196 pounds (89 kg) of CO2 every year. The 13-watt LED equivalent will only be responsible for 63 pounds (29 kg) of CO2 over the same time span. A building’s carbon footprint from lighting can be reduced by 68% by exchanging all incandescent bulbs for new LEDs in warm climates. In cold climates, the energy saving may be lower, since more heating would be needed to compensate for the lower temperature.
I hate fluorescent lighting more than you do…I have a disorder that makes me photosensitive (Porphyria.) The sun and fluorescent lighting blister my skin, which makes me quite ill, as in emergency room, morphine, IV ill. There are thousands of people in the United States who cannot work or live with fluorescent lighting. Some do not even know this.
Thanks for your article!
I have to say, I absolutely despise fluorescent & LED lighting. They are so cold and depressing. Lighting really doers affect ones mood. It has been proven. More than anything, I hate the awful LED Christmas lights that have been pushed upon us. They hurt my eyes and I can’t even look at them, especially the blue ones. Curly light bulbs are jsut as bad. I love the look of the clear Edison bulbs. It has always created a warm glow that is soft and enjoyable. Whe can’t the make LED’s that are like this? I do not understand why all gas stations have to be so damned bright to the point that it could illuminate an entire
city. It’s nothing more than light pollution!
Just became a fan, I cannot stand fluorescent lights at all!
I hate hate hate IT! . I cannot understand department store put them in changing rooms! THEY LOSE BUISNESS! gyms have them look like crap! They are good for cosmetics. Look at yourself in the mirror you need the products..