"Way Back Jack" wrote in message
...
Been 20 years since the tubes in the laundry room were replaced, and
these new tubes flicker for about 30 seconds before becoming bright.
Is this just a slow warm-up process due to their supposed
energy-saving features, or did I get a pair of lemons? Thanks.

It is probably because the new lamps do not have as much mercury in them as
the old ones. Chalk that up to the eiviromental people.
They also do not start as well when it is cold.