Fluorescent lights have long been the go-to choice for many commercial and industrial facilities and are even relatively common in residential spaces. It’s no secret, though, that these lights come with their fair share of drawbacks, from flickering and harsh lighting to potential health concerns. Do fluorescent lights drive you crazy? Maybe it’s time to try LED.
Let’s delve into the pros and cons of fluorescent lights and explore the alternatives available on today’s market so you can decide if you want to make the switch to more efficient, comfortable lighting solutions.
The Pros of Fluorescent Lighting
There are some advantages to using fluorescent lights, which explains their widespread use in various applications over the years. These include:
- Energy Efficiency: One of the most notable benefits of fluorescent lights is their energy efficiency compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent lights consume significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs, which translates to lower electricity bills and less environmental impact. This energy-saving characteristic made fluorescent lighting a go-to choice for cost savings, but only when stacked against incandescent bulbs.
- Longevity: Fluorescent lights bring a longer lifespan to the table than incandescent bulbs, which means lower maintenance requirements and less frequent bulb changes. This long lifespan helps make them a cost-saving option for buildings with high lighting requirements, like offices and commercial buildings.
The Cons of Fluorescent Lighting
While fluorescent lighting has its advantages, it also comes with a host of disadvantages that it pays to consider.
- Flickering and Harsh Lighting: Fluorescent lights are notorious for their tendency to blink, especially when they’re older or nearing the end of their lifespan. This flickering can be irritating at best, but at its worst it can contribute to severe eye strain and headaches. The cool, harsh fluorescent lighting is the antithesis of warm and inviting, which is certainly something to consider if ambiance is important to you, as a part of your overall lighting plan.
- Costs and Energy Efficiency: While it’s certainly true that fluorescent bulbs and lighting fixtures can be far more energy efficient and cost-effective than their even more antiquated incandescent counterparts, they are still far more expensive to operate and maintain than LED lighting. They also contain small amounts of mercury and require special recycling and disposal methods that can be more complicated to navigate. If saving money is the primary draw of a fluorescent fixture, then you may want to do a deeper dive into LEDs. The bulbs last longer, provide better light quality, and don’t flicker incessantly.
Today’s Alternatives to Fluorescent Lighting
Knowing the drawbacks of fluorescent lighting, it’s no surprise that people often seek alternatives that offer improved performance, comfort, and efficiency.
- LED Lighting: Light Emitting Diode lighting has emerged as an exceedingly efficient and versatile option, suitable for various applications. They’re known for their durability, energy efficiency, and excellent color rendering capabilities. LED lighting offers instant and constant illumination, eliminating the flickering issues associated with fluorescent lights. Unlike fluorescent bulbs, LED lights can be dimmable, further adding to their versatility.
- CFL Lighting: Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are an alternative to traditional fluorescent lights that offer improved energy efficiency compared to incandescent bulbs and are less prone to flickering. Still, it’s important to note that CFLs still contain trace amounts of mercury, require special disposal methods, and do not completely eliminate the chances of flickering, which eventually leads back to lighting that can induce anxiety and the other fluorescent-associated issues.
Is it Time to Ditch Fluorescent Lighting?
Fluorescent lighting has served its purpose well enough in the past. However, the drawbacks associated with them paired with the incredible advancements in LED lighting technology have led many to seek better alternatives. The improved energy efficiency, longer lifespan, absence of flickering, and flexible versatility of LEDs have helped them become the preferred choice for many residential and commercial settings.
Are you ready to ditch your flickering fluorescents in favor of sleek, modern LEDs? Wilcox Electric can help you transition to more efficient, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing lighting solutions. Contact us today to learn more about your options.