Is It Illegal To Have Fluorescent Lights In Your Home?

When it comes to illegal possession, fluorescent lights probably don't immediately come to mind. But as states across the country enact bans on compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and linear fluorescent tubes, it's reasonable to wonder whether that hideous kitchen fixture or those buzzing bars in your garage have suddenly become contraband. For decades, fluorescent lighting offered homeowners some serious advantages. Thanks to longer lifespans and decent efficiency, the bright light source was often ideal for workspaces. Of course, that was assuming you didn't mind the mercury content, non-stop flickering, and weirdly unsettling color cast. Because they were practical and cheap, many of us ended up with fluorescent lights in garages, basements, utility rooms, and other spots where function mattered more than ambiance. Although it isn't illegal to have fluorescent lights in your home, federal and state regulations are steadily pushing them off the shelves.

It can be a challenge to choose the perfect lighting for your space, but the push to outlaw fluorescents isn't a matter of taste. It's about environmental health. Both CFLs and fluorescent tubes contain mercury, a hazardous chemical which makes disposal tricky and can even put your family at risk if one accidentally breaks. As more people (and regulators) realize that LEDs are better than regular light bulbs in terms of efficiency, states including Minnesota, California, Colorado, Rhode Island, and Oregon are opting to phase out fluorescent lights entirely. As fewer retailers nationwide are allowed to stock them, manufacturers are less inclined to produce them. This shift put the perfectly ordinary household item into a legal gray area that's likely to mean it's lights out for fluorescents in the near future.

Practically speaking, emerging laws are banning the sale of fluorescent lights, not the use of them. In other words, no one is going to kick in your door to confiscate that flickering tube above your washing machine. You're free to keep using your fluorescent light fixtures until they burn out (or you decide you're tired of the constant hum and greenish glow).

But when it's time to replace your fluorescent bulbs, you're far less likely to find them on the shelves. LEDs have taken over the market for good reason. They're more efficient, quieter, safer, and available in every brightness you can imagine. You may even luck out and find an LED tube that fits perfectly into your existing fluorescent fixture. However, it's just as likely that you'll need to replace your dated light fixtures outright. This can range from a simple rewiring job to a major effort best left to the professionals, especially in older homes full of finicky wiring.

Disposal adds another hassle. Because fluorescent lights contain mercury, you can't just toss them in the trash. Most states require recycling or participating in a drop-off program. And if a bulb breaks during removal (or a rainy day game of kickball), cleanup requires extra precautions. Immediately evacuate kids and pets from the area, open windows to ventilate, turn off any forced air systems that could dangerously circulate mercury vapors, and use sticky tape or damp paper towels to collect every shard. Fluorescents may not be illegal to own, but they are on borrowed time. Replacing them today is your safest and most efficient option.