Should I turn on, turn off or switch it?

         At one point in my life my parents decided to replace all the lamps in the house, we would use , fluorescent, instead of incandescent, they said these are more economical. But all this change was not enough to save, and they always told me- Dani, when leaving a room, turn off the light !! So that's how I've always done. But I found that this may not be the best way to save.
         The incandescent light bulb, the one created by Thomas Edison in 1870 and used until the today, is definitely coming to an end as it has by the end of 2016 to be off the shelves. It is not at all economical because most of the energy produced is "lost" as heat and not transformed into light energy, as is the goal. Thus, fluorescent lamps are an alternative to economy since they have longer life and especially greater luminous efficiency.
          However, fluorescent lamps, also called compact fluorescent or electronic, require a large initial peak power, so it does not become so advantageous to connect them and turn them all the time. Furthermore, the less they are turned off, the greater the durability of the product.
          But, leaving the lights on will be the solution to economy ?? Well, the use must be always conscious. If there is no need to turn on the lights, we can avoid this expense. But if it is really necessary to turn on, we have to think a little before you turn it off, to prevent it from being connected and then spend more energy for nothing.
          So comparing the incandescent bulb with fluorescent, the second shows more advantages but has a negative environmental aspect. It consists of mercury, a heavy metal that causes damage to the environment, so it should not be discarded in the trash. In this sense, the National Policy on Solid Waste, in says the product vendor is responsible for "design and implement a reverse logistics system," that is, the supplier shall indicate disposal stations and collection of this material for it has an appropriate order.
          But anyone who thinks this story replacement end, it is a huge mistake. Considering the economy and the reduction of environmental impacts, we have the lamp LED (Light Emitting Diode) which means they work with diode emitting light. They have higher efficiency and longer service life compared to fluorescent lamps, according Cervi 2005. Therefore, the LED lamps one day dominate, meanwhile, in Brazil, we are still living in the era of the replacement of incandescent fluorescent, as happened at home.

Daniele Bispo (translation: Fernanda Romero)

Bibliographical References:

(Inmetro) http://www.inmetro.gov.br/noticias/verNoticia.asp?seq_noticia=3598 (Repórter Eco- TV Cultura)

http://tvcultura.cmais.com.br/reportereco/programas/reporter-eco-11-05-2014 (Artigo)

http://www3.fsa.br/localuser/energia/QEE%20E%20TECNOLOGIAS%20DE%20USO%20FINAL/ARQ_6.pdf (Política Nacional de Resíduos sólidos)

http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2007-2010/2010/lei/l12305.htm (Proteste- Associação de Consumidores)

http://www.proteste.org.br/casa/nc/noticia/lampadas-pouco-duraveis-e-de-baixa-qualidade

http://meninadenegocios.com/2014/02/21/com-que-lampada-eu-vou/

http://www.blogdrveit.com.br/lampadas-incandescentes-fluorescentes-e-led/