Cons of Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Here is an interesting article about the negatives (cons) of Energy Saving Light Bulbs:

http://teuservices.wordpress.com/2013/04

Here is a comprehensive article about things to consider when purchasing lights for light therapy to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder:

http://www.squidoo.com/sad-seasonal-affective-disorder-light-therapy

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

Here is an article with animated diagrams that include a circuit diagram for a CFL light bulb.
He also explains dangers of these bulbs, how to read packages to understand how much lumens they emit, etc.

http://www.eec247.com/information/lighting/cfl/cfl.html

Another good article about the negatives of CFLs, which includes this paragraph:

"Incandescent lights (the classic light bulbs) basically consist of a wire in a glass container. Fluorescent lights work with gas in tubes, and inside of the bulbs electric lighters light this gas constantly, at a rate of approximately 60 hertz. Because of this, the light flickers, generally beyond perception; albeit at an annoying rate which may bother your eyes.
Fluorescent lights operate on a ballast. A ballast is an electrical device which generally acts as a resistor, but they work slightly differently in fluorescent lights, as they regulate the current to the light. Because of this ballast, headaches, nausea, reduced immune system functionality, and retina (eye) damage may occur. But this is nothing. It’s not incredibly scary, but I’m not done yet."

Click here for article:

http://canyouth.ca/2013/07/compact-fluorescent-lights-are-they-really-eco-friendly

One writer has written an article about how ugly and limited in style CFL bulbs are:

http://inhabitat.com/plumen-rethinking-the-fluorescent-bulb/plumen-creative-shapes-for-fluorescent-lights-plumen-creative-cfls-plumen-imaginative-compact-fluorescent-bulbs-plumen-compact-florescent-bulbs-hulger-hulger-electronics-rethinking-the-compact-f-3

A website that talks all about the environmental and health hazards of CFL bulbs:

http://stoppingatthegreenlight.wordpress.com 

Another writer talks in this article about how CFLs can damage skin and cause skin cancer:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10335639.htm 

Another good article by The Examiner "Shedding Light on Misleading Performance Claims" (of CFL bulbs):

http://www.examiner.com/article/cfl-bulbs-shedding-light-on-misleading-performance-claims

 For photographers, here is an article that explains the deficits of CFL bulbs when taking indoor photos with this lighting, who states "These bulbs do not have a high enough CRI (Color Rendering Index) for people":

http://www.reddit.com/r/photography/comments/1mi3ro/the_importance_of_high_cri_cfl_bulbs_illustrated

My Energy Saving Light Bulbs are Burning Out

The other day I replaced four (4) energy saving lightbulbs in light fixtures in my home.
They had burned out after I installed them about a year ago.
I work full time so I'm not home that much, yet they only lasted a year.
These were the highest lumen curley energy saving lightbulbs I could find.
They didn't explode. They were black at the bases when they died.

Fortunately I had some regular light bulbs on hand which I replaced the curley ones with.
Having Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), I need a lot of light in Winter.
My doctor prescribed light box therapy for me at home and at work.
I have a light box both at home and at work which really helps with S.A.D.

I am not happy with the high lumen energy saving light bulbs I purchased which died after one year.
My electricity is included with my rent, so I don't pay an electric bill.
Still, I purchased the curley energy saving light bulbs to see if they would emit enough light that I could tolerate it with my having S.A.D.
They did not emit enough light for my needs, even though I have a lot of lights in my home.

So what are the options for those that suffer from S.A.D.?
For those with aging eyes, which strain to see in buildings where these energy saving light bulbs are used?
If one stays at a hotel, you could have a regular light bulb you brought and put it in a lamp.
However, it is hard to travel with a light bulb and not have it break.

I visited my sister once who has all energy-saving light bulbs in her home and it was like a cave to me.
I could hardly see.
I find the color of the light is yellowish and is not bright.

So now I will try to buy more regular high lumen light bulbs before they're completely gone from store shelves.