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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Fluorescent Lighting Is More Ecofriendly
In terms of energy consumption, halogen bulbs are not very ecofriendly. Compared to a regular incandescent bulb, a halogen bulb use 20 to 30 percent less energy, whereas a compact fluorescent light (CFL) uses 66 to 80 percent less energy.
On the Other: Halogen Lights Do Not Contain Mercury
One reason halogen bulbs might be considered more ecofriendly than CFLs is that they don't contain mercury. CFLs contain slight traces of mercury and need to be disposed of carefully to prevent environmental problems at landfill sites. But this hazard is minimal -- according to the EPA, a CFL has only 1 percent of the mercury used in an amalgam dental filling.
Bottom Line
Halogen bulbs are slightly more efficient than regular incandescent bulbs, but they are not nearly as efficient as CFLs. Unlike CFLs, however, halogen bulbs don't contain mercury. But this environmental advantage should not be exaggerated.
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