Fluorescent light bulbs are light sources that convert ultraviolet radiation emitted by an enclosed ionizing gas into visible light using a fluorescent coating on the inside of the glass container of the gas. Fluorescent lamps offer many advantages to their users and to the environment over traditional incandescent lamps (which are lamps that emit light from solid filaments). They convert more of the input energy into light rather than heat. In fact, fluorescent light bulbs are about twice as energy efficient as an incandescent light bulb of similar brightness. It is for this reason that fluorescent bulbs produce much less heat than their conventional counterparts, reducing cooling costs. Fluorescent bulbs also last ten to twenty times as long as incandescent bulbs in some circumstances.

There are some disadvantages to fluorescent light bulbs compared to incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of the toxic elements mercury and lead. The mercury contained in the bulbs can pose a minor danger to humans if the bulbs are broken, and causes environmental problems. Also, due to the necessity of a voltage regulator called a ballast, fluorescent bulbs are more expensive to replace than incandescent bulbs. There are also some minor performance issues associated with fluorescent lamps: worn out or damaged bulbs may flicker, and they do not operate if the ambient temperature is very far from room temperature. Many believe that the low energy cost and long life of fluorescent bulbs offset these disadvantages.

Recent advancements in fluorescent bulb technology make it easy to replace incandescent bulbs with them. New compact fluorescent lamps take up about as much volume as an incandescent bulb, and plug into a standard light bulb socket.

The directory below lists manufacturers of fluorescent bulbs and other devices, and companies that recycle or despose of fluorescent bulbs (which contain mercury, a highly toxic element).

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