Posted on 09/10/2009 5:57:54 PM PDT by Kaslin
Energy Savings: Europe's ban on the incandescent light bulb began phasing in this month, and the U.S. will soon follow. Is Thomas Edison to blame for global warming? And why are we exporting green jobs?
The bulbs are more expensive, costing up to six times as much as an equivalent incandescent bulb. But they're said to be more economical in the long run because they supposedly use up to 80% less energy than old-style bulbs and don't burn out as quickly.
The change will be gradual. The clear 60-watt bulb will be allowed to be sold until at least September 2011 and clear 40-watt bulbs until 2012. In Germany there's a run on Edison's creation, with sales of incandescents up 34%. Is a black market in bulbs in the offing?
The Telegraph newspaper reports that European officials are conceding CFLs are not as bright an idea as first advertised.
An 11-watt CFL is advertised as being the equivalent of a 60-watt incandescent. Officials in Brussels responsible for the ban admit that this is "not true" and that such claims are "exaggerated."
(Excerpt) Read more at ibdeditorials.com ...
I picked up a bunch of 60 watt incandescents last weekend for 25 cents a 4 pack. At about 6 cents a bulb, I figured it was a good deal even if they last a few months.
Even if all the claims about CFL bulbs were true; they still wouldn't save much energy, in any place with a heating season.
Incandescent bulbs are (nearly) 100% efficient radiant heaters. Around here, when you need a lot of light, you also need some heat.
I would agree that they save energy in hot climates — especially when the A/C is running too.
Warning - soon after they shut off our regular bulbs, they will make the new bulbs fit only new designed lamps - so your present lamps won't take the gov't mandated bulbs. Be sure you have plenty of lamps and maybe some extras to last for the years for sanity to return.
I like light. Anything less than a 75 watt incandescent is a night light. I’ll probably end up converting to 100-150 watt flood lamps.
As a man let me point out that dim bulbs help us procreate.
I have ignored this entire subject until now.
So, we have to start buying those squiggly bulbs?
Will they fit in the same sockets?
Are they all made in China with extra mercury to poison us?
Can I toss them in the trash?
Will Acorn search my trash?
Can I get a subsidy from Obama to pay for them?
Yes they do fit in the same socket. I have been using them for over 3 years now, and the reason I started to use them was because I was tired of replacing the regular bulb every 2 month even when I turned the lights off when I did not need it
I hate those depressing bulbs.
I'm not sure if they're a good deal or not. I replaced almost all my lights with compact fluorescents. No, it wasn't for the environment; they actually are much worse for the environment. It was for money and making some rooms brighter. On paper, they save you a bundle over the long haul in electricity and cooling. Also, I put a 23 watt CF (100 watt equivalent) in a 60 watt incandescent socket, and the room is much brighter.
The problem is the lie that they last longer. Talk to anyone who uses them, and you'll get the same story: They burn out a lot. I follow the directions and don't put them in enclosed fixtures, too. Some do last a long time, so it tends to make me think the problem is in the manufacturing. My solution is to try that 7-year warranty. The next time I am saving the receipt, pinning it to the pack, and putting back every bulb that fails. When it's full, I'll send the pack back.
I do too. Why am I forced to buy the crappy CFLs?
I plan to go to Lowe’s and stock up on light bulbs. Store them in the attic. Along with all my MRE’s and other “survival gear”.
SCREW THE GOVERNMENT!
And here I thought this was going to be another thread about Øbamabots.
good post
I’ve mentioned the heat generated on other threads
the winter heating energy is never used in calculations
and in the AC season (at least here in Indiana) you don’t use indoor lighting nearly as much because it’s light outside later
Our landfills are going to be full of Mercury, too.
It uses about 23 watts, which saves on the electric bill in comparison, but not as much as what the greenies claim.
I have learned, though, not to look at the equivalency claims, but to look at the listed ‘lumen’ levels and compare that to the regular bulbs.
I haven’t checked for years, but you should still be able to buy 69 watt traffic light bulbs from electrical supply houses. Those last much longer than a few months.
I tried using cfls and went back to incandescent. The cfls all burned out quickly except for a couple I still have in closets which are rarely used. Normally incandescents go for about $4.47 a 6 pack, so 25 cents a four pack was a good deal even if they only last 25% of the life of the expensive brand.
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