Posted on 01/25/2011 1:42:00 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Calif. Discovers Fluorescent Lightbulbs Burning Out Faster Than Predicted
State government concludes that it will not realize the savings it expected
It was all flowers and roses when the state of California launched its $548M USD program to help promote consumer use of compact fluorescent lamps. Manufacturers and utilities were onboard because they received bonus pay to enact rebate programs. Citizens were happy as they received cheap CFL bulbs, which promised to save them money on power expenses. And the politicians were happy, as they looked sufficiently "green" to satisfy the eco-minded voters.
Now that utopian vision of futuristic lighting has dissolved into rancor and disappointment. A multi-million dollar program by the state designed to evaluate the actual results has concluded that energy savings were not as good as expected and that utilities were being over-rewarded for their performance.
At the heart of the problems is the fact that utility provider Pacific Gas & Electricity Corp (PG&E) has forced to cut estimates of CFL life average lifetimes from 9.3 years in 2006 to 6.3 years. The shorter-than-expected lifetime was due largely to people turning CFL lights on and off, and the fact that CFL bulbs were often put in disadvantageous locations like bathrooms or recessed lighting.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailytech.com ...
Nothing happens like liberals “expected”.
Also, you get this really strange effect with a ceiling fan...
The CFL actually “blinks” at 60 hz, not that you can usually see this,
but combine this with a ceiling fan, especially a white bladed one, and the strobe effect is dizzying.
“Hoarding 100 Watt incandescents in our basement. Need to keep at it.”
That may be way cheaper but equally effective as buying gold as a hedge against hyper-inflation or federal government bankruptcy. The demand won’t ever go away, nor is the price of such bulbs ever likely to drop.
Like Incandescents. With a coupon, I got a 4-pack for $0.59 at Target the other day.
Not as “green” as advertized.
LED Bulb 10 Watts - ice buildup.
Solution - add 100 Watt heaters.
Which is better? 100w bulb 24/365 or 10w bulb 24/365 with supplemental 100w heater when necessary (run by thermostat)?
I use a GE branded 26 watt in an outdoor dusk to dawn lamp post. The last one lasted three years to the day.
I have noticed people's opinion of "very cold" varies considerably. What sort of temperature range do You consider "very cold"?
Depends on how much the heating element + installation costs I suppose.
No kidding...and, this is in spite of conservatives telling them exactly what's going to happen...they still find it "unexpected".
I offer no apologies.
So - do you leave yours on all the time?
No.
Or do you have some sort of power conditioner on your house to keep the voltage and frequency constant?
No.
Me either.
CFL's have a use, and there are plenty of people who swear by them. Fine and dandy.
There are plenty of people who swear at them, too. They shouldn't be forced to change, based on some junk science.
I'm waiting for the power companies to come out against them. Incandescents produce a resistive load that's easily quantified and serviced. CFLs (in extremely large numbers, just like any other florescent light) produce a reactive load, with all sorts of funky harmonics, particularly on startup.
Wonder how many engineers at local power companies are looking at these new CFL mandates and shaking their heads? It's been awhile since I was taking EE classes, but I'm thinking that these laws are causing all kinds of headaches.
so, if you don’t turn a light on or off it will last 9.x years ? seems it should last longer than that.
I just bought my first LED lightbulb this week. It’s a low power model, but it was only $6.99 and I wanted to see what kind of light it produced.
Other than being a little dimmer than the CFL’s in the fixture, it does produce a rather pleasant light.
Bring the costs down, up the wattage and there’ll be no need for CFL’s.
I’m pretty sure those stoplights are LED, not CFL.
Edison invented the fluoroscope ... and killed his friend and assistant with it.
Excuse me~ thinking LED but all this discussion of the now antiquated CFL technology tripped me up.
That’s a good idea right there ! Thanks
nice to save hundreds.
When our elec bill triples soon there will be no savings anymore. but at least we all will be still saving the world under harsh, slow to warm up white florecent lights.
I will sit in darkness before CFLs will come into my home.
Mail those burned out CFLs to you congressman.....he has an exemption from the EPA rules.
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