Posted on 02/20/2007 11:09:17 AM PST by cogitator
Level-headed response to global warming and energy policy ping
...as Australians experience the freedom to do what their government tells them to do.
I'm sure you use compact fluorescents in all your personal and business applications?
Another atrocity for you to combat!
Really, how do regular lights survive anymore? When you can get 15w lights that are as bright as 75w traditional bulbs, who isn't switching? Somewhere there should be a graph showing declining sales of traditional lights, and the slope should be steep enough that gov't regulation is just overkill. If gov't alone would make the switch, that would probably be 50% of incandesent sales in the US alone. In places with higher energy costs, It should be a no-brainer.
Engaging in a mammoth session of national self-flagellation will neither serve as proof that global warming is anthropogenic, nor that it can be at all influenced by man, nor will it measurably slow climate change.
This is a wholly unnecessary move that will change the face of an entire industry, and make interior lighting more industrial, clinical, and austere.
Fluorescent lighting simply does not approach the warmth of the venerable incandescent bulb.
In other words, we don't need a government mandate to do so, as we will end up switching sooner or later anyhow due to high energy costs (driven in part by envirowhacko opposition to EVERYTHING).
That 75% number is probably based on the all lights on scenario. With all the lights off, the fluorescent light and the incandescent light all use the same amount of electricity.
1) People who don't know there's something better.
2) High initial purchase price.
3) Some people just prefer incandescents.
4) CFLs just aren't good for all purposes. Try putting one in an oven or fridge. Try keeping your reptile warm with a 15W CFL.
Taking advantage of an incentive program by my local electric co-op, I just installed 48 compact fluorescent bulbs in my home. They give off a soft, warm, light similar to an incandescent. They are also instant on and at 27 watts give more light than a 75 watt incandescent.
More:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1788011/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787770/posts
Perhaps we can just outlaw the use of lights from 8PM to 7AM....
It's good to use the compact fluorescent bulbs, but it's not good for any government to coerce people to use them.
They are not suitable for all applications. They don't fit in some appliances.
Good idea, but the government should butt out.
And you get a 75% reduction in illumination. I put the things up in my utility room and other, unfinished spaces. By the time they brighten enough to see by, I'm done in the room. Bought some for the kitchen. One burned out as soon as it was on, the other two came on, but didn't give the lighting of a 40W incandescent. ANd they won't work on my dimmer circuits. So because of the poor lighting quality and brightness, plus the fact that they can't be used in my lighting, they aren't going to be installed. THey don't look or work well in chandaliers, either.
Business is exclusively flourescent (standard bar lights, not CFB). I've switched the house to about 50% CF; we have several on dimmers, which I can't switch, but we don't use them much.
I sure hope so.
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