An eco-friendly lamp turns as much as 50% of all the energy it uses into light, which is why it uses 5 times less energy than an incandescent light bulb. Lower use of electricity also means less CO2 pollution, which occurs during the production of electricity.

Eco-friendly lamps also have a longer lifespan, burning as much as 5-15 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. This is also a significant contribution to environment protection, as they generate less waste. Eco-friendly lamps do not heat up the environment while they burn, which is what incandescent light bulbs do.

Ten truths on eco-friendly lamps (Source: Deutsche Umwelthilfe)

1. Eco-friendly lamps are not sensitive to frequent switching

Of course, quality is a factor, but high-quality eco-friendly lamps are not sensitive to frequent switching and can be used to illuminate households. Despite frequent switching, these lamps can retain a lifespan of more than 10,000 hours.

2. The light emitted from these lamps does not flicker

Electric circuits of today’s eco-friendly lamps enable the functioning of the lamps with the frequency of 40,000 Hertz. The human eye can detect flickers of up to 60 Hertz, so the light of today's eco-friendly lamps is completely flicker free.

3. The light of eco-friendly lamps is also warm

In the beginning when eco-friendly lamps first started to appear on the market, they only emitted very cold white light. That is why they acquired a reputation that the light they emit is very cold. Nowadays we can find lamps that emit warm, yellow light that can be compared to the light of traditional bulbs. The light that the lamps emit is indicated on the packaging. Eco-friendly lamps have become appropriate for the use in our households.

4. Eco-friendly lamps can also be found in the form of a bulb

Eco-friendly lamps are known for their tubular shape. Many people dislike them and believe that eco-friendly lamps are much less attractive than traditional light bulbs. That is why some manufacturers started to offer eco-friendly lamps in the form of differently shaped tubes and even bulbs, which can hardly be distinguished from traditional bulbs.

5. When switched on, eco-friendly lamps do not use a large amount of electricity

Despite a different manner of functioning, eco-friendly lamps do not use an increased quantity of energy when switched on. This can be tested at home with a simple power monitor.

6. Electromagnetic radiation of the lamps is not higher than radiation from incandescent bulbs

There are claims that humans should stand at least 1.5 m away from the eco-friendly lamps to be safe. These are generalizations of information that applies to computers and television sets. A research conducted by the Swiss national institute of public health has shown that low-frequency magnetic fields that have an impact on human health are extremely weak and no higher than in traditional bulbs. In the future, the radiation emitted by eco-friendly lamps is expected to be minimized.

7. Eco-friendly lamps can also be dimmed

For a long time, there were no dimmable eco-friendly lamps on the market. Development took its course and now there are several dimmable eco-friendly lamps on the market. Whether or not the lamp is dimmable is indicated on the packaging. Regular eco-friendly lamps are not dimmable.

8. Eco-friendly lamps use less energy for production and recycling
   

Calculations made in the EU have shown that the production and recycling of a 11W eco-friendly lamp causes the emission of 96 g CO2, which is a negligible quantity compared to the 490 kWh saved (which would generate the emission of about 295 kg CO2). Legislation also prescribes that eco-friendly lamps should be collected in special containers so that the parts can be reused and thus help save the materials and reduce the quantity of waste.

9. Eco-friendly lamps are not poisonous

Contrary to the popular belief, eco-friendly lamps do not contain radioactive substances. They do contain extremely small quantities of mercury (new models contain only 2 mg), which are much smaller than the quantities used in traditional thermometers. Mercury in the eco-friendly lamps can only be harmful if the lamps are broken, but not with regular use.

10. Eco-friendly lamps are expensive

Yes, the purchase price of an eco-friendly lamp is higher, but the calculation above has shown that in the long term, the reduced energy use and longer lifespan makes it cheaper than an incandescent bulb.