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Cree and LED lighting are starting a revolution
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April 14th, 2010
Happy 25th Birthday, CFL. Your days are numbered.
Did you know the CFL is celebrating its 25th birthday this year? We just found out from the folks at Sylvania, who plan to commemorate the occasion tomorrow at Light + Building, the big lighting tradeshow happening this week in Frankfurt, Germany.
To its credit, the CFL has come a long way since it was born in 1985. Its average life span doubled, its size shrunk considerably, it got cheaper and there’s less mercury inside. But it still has mercury inside, which means if it ever breaks, you can’t just sweep up the glass and be on your way. You’re supposed to follow these steps, which include airing out the room, washing or even throwing out materials that come in contact with the broken bulb and more.
But we’re realists. We realize the CFL – for all its toxic faults – still consumes less energy than the 130+ year old incandescent bulb. So we’re not going to crash the CFL’s birthday party because, frankly, this may be the last year folks show up to celebrate.
The CFLs days are numbered. The LED Lighting Revolution is gaining traction because most LED lights consume even less energy than CFLs and they do so without containing toxic mercury. LED lights are designed to last significantly longer than CFLs. And LED lights reach full brightness immediately.
And I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking: “It’s not really fair of you to rain on the CFL parade when I can’t even buy a 60 Watt equivalent LED bulb at the store.” To that I say touché, and then I’ll duly note that there are plenty of other LED lighting products made by Cree and other companies that can successfully replace incandescent and fluorescent lights. And innovations are happening all the time.
So happy birthday, CFL. Sorry we can’t make it to your party, but we’re busy Lighting the LED Revolution.
4 Responses to “Happy 25th Birthday, CFL. Your days are numbered.”
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Attention CFL party poopers: The SYLVANIA LED bash is in full swing http://bit.ly/dsdBLP.
“CFL party poopers,” I love that title. I need to get that printed on buttons.
Go Argonauts!
Wait, what? Oh. Never mind.
Dave,
Hahaha! Thanks for stopping by for that comment. You’re not the only one who teased me about the title … it would be a great coincidence if the Canadian Football League turned 25 this year too.