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Re: GBlist: Fluorescent Lights: off or on?
Regarding the energy impacts of turning fluorescents on and off, there was
some great dialog on the Greenbuilding list a long time ago about this
issue. As I recall, someone provided highly detailed mathematical analysis
demonstrating that the extra energy consumed during start-up would be
repaid extremely quickly through off-time, but that there were some other
considerations as well that slightly lengthened the appropriate off-time.
This doesn't appear to be one of the threads that we compiled and archive
on our Web site (http://www.ebuild.com), but as far as I know the entire
discussion is archived on the CREST Web site--but may take more time to
find. It's worth digging up.
By the way, I've just finished an article on the issue of mercury in
fluorescent lamps and PCBs in pre-1979 fluorescent ballasts. That will be
in the October issue of Environmental Building News. The bottom line is
that during relamping, the importance of properly disposing of both lamps
and PCB ballasts is tremendous. This costs money--about 40 cents per 4-foot
lamp and a few dollars per ballast, but it is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL. The cost
of this disposal (recycling) should be factored into the cost of relamping.
(Incidentally, I remain highly supportive of fluorescent lighting, despite
the toxics concerns--we just need to deal with them properly at the end of
the life cycle.)
Also, I recommend choosing Phillips lamps. Their new ALTO line (which
should account for 80% of all their fluorescents by year-end) has mercury
levels that are about one-fifth of the industry average. Also, of the
big-three lamps manufacturers--General Electric, Osram Sylvania, and
Phillips--only Phillips opposes a regulation being considered by EPA to
"conditionally exempt" fluorescent lamps from hazardous waste disposal
regulations. That conditional exemption would be very bad. I rarely make
such a strong product recommendation.
-Alex Wilson, Editor and Publisher
Environmental Building News
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