CFL stands for “compact fluorescent lamp”. CFLs are the newer type of lightbulb that is touted as the cure to everything from global warming to teenage acne.

Although similar to other types of fluorescent lighting, CFLs have undergone significant improvement in their color, light output and durability when taken in comparison to tradition fluorescents.

While CFLs are more energy efficient, there is some debate over their long-term ecological impact. CFLs contain mercury, and therefore should be disposed of like many electronics that contain harmful materials. This can be especially difficult in an area such as Punxsy, since the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority is a bit backwards.

CFLs are more cost efficient and energy efficient. However, durability was one of the initial appeals I found in CFLs. Several years ago I had fixture in the basement of the old house that kept blowing traditional incandescent bulbs at a rate of about two a month. I tried a CFL and it last almost until I moved this November. That was pretty impressive, since the wiring in the old house was a nightmare (and, one of the reasons why the old house is, y’know, not the current house).

CFLs do have some ways to go, yet.

For example, CFLs for fixtures that require a smaller bulb are either non-existent or hard-to-find. When you do find them, you will pay a small fortune for them.

While the issue has improved, CFLs don’t output the rated amount of light shown of the packages. With the older CFLs, a supposedly 75 watt bulb might only yield the equivalent of a 30 watt bulb. You had to overshoot your target by quite a bit with the older CFLs. Even now most CFLs are still about 15% below their rated wattage.

A better gauge for CFL light output is the lumens rating provided on the package. The manufacturers are aware that the output is different, but they bury the information deeper than is probably acceptable.

Older CFLs were almost as bad powering on as a regular fluorescent lamp. This has improved dramatically. While CFLs are not as quick to fire up as incandescents, the difference is barely noticeable.

Most CLFs are rated to last 5 to 7 years. Large scale use of CFLs hasn’t gone on long enough to prove this in the field. From my experience, my early CFLs are now almost all gone after three years. It remains to be seen whether the newer CFLs get closer to the target.

You may also want to look at other, more eco-friendly alternatives, such as LED lights. LEDs are now being sold in a manner that allows them to serve as a substitute of lightbulbs. LEDs don’t contain mercury, unlike CFLs. And they last a long time.

CFLs provide a different option from incandescent lightbulbs. With a few more years of improvements and price cuts, CFLs could come to replace the traditional lightbulb altogether. Then all those cartoons where the guy gets an idea will seem a bit archaic.