The Humble Light Bulb: a victim of political stupidity and green zealotry

The Market Oracle ^ | Jul 31, 2008 | Gerard Jackson

[sauropod]

There’s a reason we refer to them as “Kremlin Bulbs”.

[iopscusa]

Good article that includes a great discussion on 2 aspects that the Econ Illiterates will never admit: Opportunity & Future Cost. Read and appreciate 2 of the powerful core decision making principles of Applied Economics.

[JennysCool]

All mercury-containing products must be disposed of responsibly. As more of us adopt CFLs to help save energy and contribute to a better environment, it becomes more important that our community has a recycling programme for mercury and other environmentally unsafe materials.

Ka-ching!

This is how the asbestos-disposal industry got started.

Always follow the money.

[SoDak]

I put the compact fluorescents all over in my house because I got sick to death of replacing incandescents which the old wiring in my house wreaked havoc with. Plus, I usually have my house lit up like a Christmas tree, and these bulbs really do cut down on the bill.

[nevergore]

The issue that this article doesn't take into effect is that the cost of the fluorescent bulbs has dropped dramatically.

I can now buy an 8 pack for as little as $8. The price is not quite as cheap as incandescent lighting but the gap has diminished greatly.

There are some drawbacks but the operational cost savings in my home have been substantial. Also not mentioned is they do not burn out as quickly as incandescent lights.

[buccaneer81]

I got sick to death of replacing incandescents which the old wiring in my house wreaked havoc with.

Same here. Bulbs I used to have to replace every two months were changed to CFs that are still going strong after two years.

[muawiyah]

Tungsten is radioactive.

[Darnright]

>I put the compact fluorescents all over in my house because I got sick to death of replacing incandescents which the old wiring in my house wreaked havoc with. <

I have them also. It’s my CHOICE. I resent Big Nanny forcing me to choose them in the future, in fixtures they’re not designed for.

I like my old fashioned toilet, and my top loading washing machine. MY choice, not some bean pushing government drone’s.

[Just another Joe]

Also not mentioned is they do not burn out as quickly as incandescent lights.

From a purely anecdotal outlook I call bs (lowercase).

I've bought a total of three of these types of light bulbs.
Two burned out within a month.

[Publius6961]

The message I get here is that there is rational arguments for either choice.

What there should be no argument about is the interferance of the bureaucrat, or the scientific and economic idiot, into the free market which has worked exquisitely well for quite a while now.

Passing laws that eliminate individual choice almost always makes things worse.

Unintended consequences, etc.

[fanfan]

Bump!

[SoDak]

Oh, I have no disagreement with that at all. I’m merely stating that I do use them, and giving the reasons why.

[SoDak]

My anecdote is that I have not had to buy a replacement bulb, in my 2100 sq ft house in more than 2 years.

[Publius6961]

I put the compact fluorescents all over in my house because I got sick to death of replacing incandescents which the old wiring in my house wreaked havoc with. Plus, I usually have my house lit up like a Christmas tree, and these bulbs really do cut down on the bill.

As did I, about 8 years ago. But it was my choice.

Isn't it wonderful to know that, just as I freely made that choice then, I can switch back to incandescents whenever I choose to?

Wait.
...never mind...

[IrishMike]

The issue is personal choice VS government micro mandating.

[peggybac]

I never pass up a sale on 100 watt light bulbs when I can get four for 50 cents.

[Just another Joe]

My anecdote is that I have not had to buy a replacement bulb, in my 2100 sq ft house in more than 2 years.

Yeh, I know, I may have got a bad batch.
Empirically, they are known to last longer.

I just can't bring myself to like them though.

[charleywhiskey]

Most of the energy consumption comparisons between the two types of bulbs assume that lights are left on for long periods of time, on the order of 12 to 24 hours per day. In most household settings, however, this is completely unrealistic. Think of the hall entry light or the bedside reading lamp. In the real world, economic payback will rarely ever be reached because frequent on-off cycles, while not harming the incandescent lamp, will prematurely kill the florescent light long before the energy usage crossover point is reached.

[packrat35]

That has been my experience also. They burn out almost as quick and cost me more.