If it uses a phosphor coating, isn't it also prone to the same issue of diminishing lumens over time as the CFLs? These bulbs lose up to 30% luminosity in 6 months (the tri-phospor ones, more expensive, can a last a year begore losing 10%/20%).
If they lose power like CFLs, even though the warranty is 10 years, you may be forced to replace it way before that.
I don't think I can comment on that with any authority at all. Is it possible that using a blue light as the source rather than UV reduces the degradation of the phosphorescent coating?
If they lose power like CFLs, even though the warranty is 10 years, you may be forced to replace it way before that.