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What is a significant disadvantage of incandescent lamps?

  1. High initial cost

  2. Low color rendering index

  3. Short lamp life

  4. Incompatibility with dimmers

The correct answer is: Short lamp life

The significant disadvantage of incandescent lamps lies in their short lamp life. Incandescent bulbs typically last around 1,000 hours, which is significantly shorter than many alternative lighting options, such as fluorescent or LED bulbs, which can last up to 10,000 hours or more. This shorter lifespan results in more frequent replacements, leading to higher maintenance costs and increased waste. While high initial cost, low color rendering index, and dimmer incompatibility are considerations for other types of lighting or specific applications, they do not represent the primary drawback associated with incandescent bulbs. Incandescents are generally less expensive upfront compared to LEDs and fluorescents, have a high color rendering index, and are often compatible with dimmers. Consequently, the short lamp life is the most pressing issue for users regarding incandescent lamps.