Originally Posted by shakran (Post 2603484)

the manufacturer recommends not putting CFL bulbs into fixtures that are enclosed in any way, whether they're overhead or not. They have to have ventilation to dissipate the heat.

/friend used to sell them.
/I think they suck.
/fark-style slashies!

Originally Posted by ngdawg (Post 2603487)

I'm going to change to LEDs.

Originally Posted by ngdawg (Post 2603500)

Our very own Tecoyah sells a variety of LEDs and most are pretty expensive. We have 5 ceiling lights that are capable of taking up to 60watt regular bulbs; these CFLs were a bit dimmer, but still sufficient. However, what good is sufficient if they're gonna blow? I like the idea of LEDs because they supposedly stay cool.

Originally Posted by ngdawg (Post 2603500)

Our very own Tecoyah sells a variety of LEDs and most are pretty expensive. We have 5 ceiling lights that are capable of taking up to 60watt regular bulbs; these CFLs were a bit dimmer, but still sufficient. However, what good is sufficient if they're gonna blow? I like the idea of LEDs because they supposedly stay cool.

Originally Posted by ASU2003 (Post 2603525)

Even if there was a flame, shouldn't the metal housing protect it from coming into contact with any flamable materials?

Has anybody heard of any house fires caused by this issue?

Originally Posted by Cumberland Times

CUMBERLAND - When Rick Jenkins began replacing the common, incandescent bulbs around his house with compact fluorescent lamps about 12 months ago, he didn't give much thought about saving the environment.

Instead, the Bel Air resident and Pitt-Ohio Express truck driver just wanted to stop buying light bulbs so often. Any environmental benefit, he figured, was a side effect.

That was then. A week has passed since a fire destroyed his split-level home on View Crest Drive. Rick Jenkins, wife Angie and 6-year-old daughter, Haley, lost everything but their family pooch, a 2-year-old goldendoodle. Fire investigators determined the fire was caused by a CFL connected to a dimmer switch. Packaging on many types of CFLs includes a warning not to connect them to dimmer switches.

Now, just the notion of twisting in the curlycue bulbs is a real-life nightmare.

"I wouldn't recommend them to anyone," Jenkins said Monday afternoon, bearing a strong odor of smoke after meeting with contractors at the site of the fire. "They aren't worth the cost."

Damage to the Jenkins home is estimated at $165,000. While friends and loved ones are aiding the family, Jenkins is a bit in awe about how the fire started in the first place.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said CFL-related fires are "certainly not a trend."

"I had it unofficially reported to me that even nationally, very few of these incidents are known to have occurred," said Mowbray, adding he has more than a half dozen CFLs installed in his home. "Certainly there's a lot of variables and considerations that go into any of these types of situations."

Jenkins said he's since read about a handful of CFL-related fires across the country, but nothing to indicate there's something wrong with the product. The State Fire Marshal's Office issued a news release within a few days after the fire, encouraging consumers to read the warning labels on any product on the market.

"I don't read light bulbs," Jenkins said. "I wouldn't think I'd ever have to."

Many people are aware of the low levels of mercury CFLs contain. Certain steps need to be taken if a CFL is broken and particles fall on a tile floor or on a carpet. Detailed safety steps can be accessed at Home : ENERGY STAR. Energy Star is a joint venture between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

Jenkins said many packages containing CFLs promote in large letters they can replace a "standard" light bulb. The fine print, however, includes some of the conditions in which they must be operated.

Great Value, a Wal-Mart brand, first lists on its packaging that the bulbs could cause interference to "radios, televisions and wireless devices."

Also, "do not install near maritime safety communications or other critical navigation or communication equipment operating between 0.45 and 30 megahertz."

Only after the maritime warning does the packaging warn that outdoor lights must be enclosed - Jenkins did have a globe over his outdoor CFL, where the fire originated - and not to use them with "emergency exit fixtures or lights, electronic timers, photocells or dimmers."

Philips brand CFLs also include warnings on the outside of the package while GE prints a warning on the bulb itself. On much of GE's packaging, the bulb can be seen without having to be opened.

Despite a very difficult week, Jenkins doesn't blame the light bulb for the fire. He said he's "not the type" to file a lawsuit over the issue but that people should be careful - and read the warning label - when buying anything that gets plugged in.

Haley Jenkins is just beginning to realize her father's newly discovered zeal for safety. She recently purchased a Nintendo Wii video game console with money given to her after the fire. Before she was allowed to take it out of the box, Jenkins said he was already reading the warning label.

Originally Posted by Destrox (Post 2603666)

At my last job we used these fluorescent bulbs for our entry way.

I had probably 5-6 of them "burn up" in the base unit. Literally charred, super hot. (Remember these puppies ran 24/7, not household standard but not safe at all.)

Far from safe, and they contain mercury as well. Horrible for the environment.

Personally I avoid them as well, and this just helps my decision.

Originally Posted by shakran (Post 2603778)

As with many government sponsored or mandated "environmental" programs, such as ethanol, IMO CFL's suck. Their light is lousy, dimmer, harsher, and flickery, they have mercury and other crap that you don't want to touch or to get into the environment, and they don't last nearly as long as advertised.

Originally Posted by MSD (Post 2603807)

Even if it only lasts the same amount of time as an incandescent, the amount of mercury put into the environment from burning coal to light the incandescent is larger than the amount in a CFL.

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2603813)

I don't like the colors they emit. I've tried the "warmer" styles but they don't seem to work all that well for me.

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2603813)

So then isn't it a matter of spreading the mercury? Or also there's double mercury? I'm not sure what the measurement is...

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2603813)

So then isn't it a matter of spreading the mercury? Or also there's double mercury? I'm not sure what the measurement is...

Originally Posted by email

Thank you for sending us your information on your experience with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL. We apologize for your unsatisfactory experience with an ENERGY STAR qualified product. We are committed to continue to do our best to document and attempt to resolve these issues with manufacturers to reduce instances of defects in the future.

Unfortunately, there have been some instances of CFLs smoking or smoldering. While this usually occurs when the product is defective, or installed improperly it is nonetheless a concern to consumers, EPA and DOE. Currently, the Department of Energy (DOE) is working with industry to make sure this phenomenon is eliminated by requiring all ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs to incorporate end-of-life requirements and higher safety standards. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs meet UL safety standards, which require the materials to be self-extinguishing. So, although the base or glass tubing may darken, an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL should never catch on fire.1
CFL manufacturers recommend that you install and remove CFLs by grasping the plastic portions of the base only. If the CFL is screwed into a light socket by twisting the tube rather than the plastic base, it can cause the vacuum seal or glass tubing in the CFL to break. Once certain parts are exposed to oxygen, they are more liable to become defective and/or overheat.2
In some cases, when a CFL reaches it end of useful life, the arc contained in the tube may elevate the temperature of the housing plastic near one end of the tube. This elevated temperature, although it is short lived, may produce some limited smoke and odor from the electronics and fire-retardant cover. In some cases a flashing arc internal to the fluorescent tube or ballast may occur and in some extreme cases, a deformation, significant distortion, or small breach of the plastic material may happen. Again, the materials and evaluation tests are designed to prevent subsequent safety hazard. The plastic housing is designed to self-extinguish, and it is the nature of fire retardant materials to exhibit some deformation or discoloration when acting in protective mode. However, it is understandable that you may be concerned and disappointed that the bulb did not perform to your expectations.3
Manufacturers producing ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are required to offer at least a 2 year limited warranty (covering manufacturer defects) for residential applications4. In some cases, the manufacturer may request the failed product to be shipped to them so they can determine why the smoking happened, so make sure to keep the product until you speak to the manufacturer. The manufacturer will most likely provide a replacement product or a refund.

I will catalogue this incident in our database. We hope your experience with the other ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs you are currently using is a positive one. Any time you are using a CFL over an incandescent, you are saving energy. So, even though some of the products you used failed prematurely, you were saving energy and money every time you used them.5
Another thing to keep in mind is that though you may experience problems with one type of CFL you may have a positive experience with another. We hope that you do not disregard all ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs based on a negative experience with one product or brand.

UL tests products for consumer safety, you can read what their spokesperson said about this type of failure here UL | Newsroom - UL Sets the Record Straight on Safety and Compact Fluorescent Lamps

For the most up-to-date information on CFL care and disposal go to www.energystar.gov/CFLsandMercury. This document also provides the EPA's new website www.epa.gov\bulbrecycling with local recycling options. More retailers and interested parties are working on developing easier solutions to the issue, The Home Depot, IKEA and select Ace Hardware stores now collect CFLs for recycling. You can also visit Recycle A Bulb - Veolia Environmental Services to see if other recycling options are available near you.

Thank you for contacting ENERGY STAR regarding this instance and thank you for your interest in ENERGY STAR.

Originally Posted by ngdawg (Post 2604381)

1) Well, fire occured, so take that for what it's worth...