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Standard fluorescent light fixtures are much more desirable than incandescent bulbs for many reasons, but they have a few drawbacks that keep them from being everyone’s first choice. If you’re looking for an efficient type of lighting that doesn’t use as much electricity as incandescent lighting, then fluorescent lighting is great for your budget. But you shouldn’t go out and purchase all fluorescent bulbs for your home until you’ve tried one out and made sure that you like the quality of the light.
Fluorescent Light Fixture Problems
Fluorescent lighting is commonly used in public areas and office buildings because it’s so cost efficient. The bulbs last much longer than incandescent bulbs and take far less energy to use. That makes them a good choice for a business. But if you’ve ever looked at your face in a mirror beneath fluorescent lighting, you know it’s hardly the most flattering light available. It’s a blue-toned light, and that seems to emphasize every flaw, blemish and wrinkle and can make you look washed out. It can also give every room that office-building beige or gray sort of feel.
Fluorescent light fixtures also have the tendency to flicker. Even if you can’t see the flickering, it’s probably there. Sometimes it’s very visible, but subconsciously the flickering that you can’t easily see might get to you after a while. Some people are never bothered, while others can’t stand it. Some people with autism, for instance, are hyper-sensitive to the flickering and have trouble tolerating these types of lights. When the light starts to flicker often and is very noticeable all the time, it’s probably because the bulb is getting ready to go out.
Compact Fluorescent Light Fixtures are a Better Option
These are a better choice than regular fluorescent or incandescent lights even thought the bulbs will cost sometimes up to three times more. That initial cost shouldn’t matter, because they can last ten times longer than ordinary bulbs. That helps them pay for themselves and helps you save money even beyond that. Compact bulbs have a much less blue tinge to them than standard fluorescent, too. This gives a more pleasing light that some people prefer. They also have less flickering, though people who are very sensitive to fluorescent light fixtures probably still wouldn’t be able to tolerate these either.
Compact fluorescent bulbs can be used in standard light fixtures, which means that you don’t pay as much to use them. The old style lights were designed just for these bulbs and had more complicated wiring connections than standard light fixtures. But compact fluorescent bulbs are great replacements for your lamp and ceiling fixture bulbs. Do try just a few at first, however, in case you don’t find yourself enjoying the quality of light they produce.
