Posted on 01/02/2007 8:57:15 AM PST by mathprof
As a way to cut energy use, it could not be simpler. Unscrew a light bulb that uses a lot of electricity and replace it with one that uses much less.
While it sounds like a promising idea, it turns out that the long-lasting, swirl-shaped light bulbs known as compact fluorescent lamps are to the nation’s energy problem what vegetables are to its obesity epidemic: a near perfect answer, if only Americans could be persuaded to swallow them.
But now Wal-Mart Stores, the giant discount retailer, is determined to push them into at least 100 million homes. And its ambitions extend even further, spurred by a sweeping commitment from its chief executive, H. Lee Scott Jr., to reduce energy use across the country, a move that could also improve Wal-Mart’s appeal to the more affluent consumers the chain must win over to keep growing in the United States.
“The environment,” Mr. Scott said, “is begging for the Wal-Mart business model.”
It is the environmental movement’s dream: America’s biggest company, legendary for its salesmanship and influence with suppliers, encouraging 200 million shoppers to save energy.
For all its power in retailing, though, Wal-Mart is meeting plenty of resistance — from light-bulb makers, competitors and consumers....
A compact fluorescent has clear advantages over the widely used incandescent light — it uses 75 percent less electricity, lasts 10 times longer, produces 450 pounds fewer greenhouse gases from power plants and saves consumers $30 over the life of each bulb. But it is eight times as expensive as a traditional bulb, gives off a harsher light and has a peculiar appearance.
As a result, the bulbs have languished on store shelves for a quarter century; only 6 percent of households use the bulbs today.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
You're getting ripped off if you're paying $8 a bulb. I can usually find them for around $2. I went to CF's years ago because I got tired of changing light bulbs every week, expecially the one in my stairwell that required a stepladder. Three years later it's still on the same bulb. I probably would have had to lug out the ladder 10 times by now if I were using incandescents.
Excellent!!!!
The variable power apparently burns out the transformer. As will a 3-way switch, as I found out, though I have seen 3-way compatible CFs at the store recently.
You can get large lights similiar to street lights using the flourescent bulbs. They work really well and suck very little electricity in comparison.
I bought a bunch of them when Lowes put them on clearance for 6 bucks for a pack of 5. I also picked some up at a buck a piece, and am always looking for clearance items like this.
I use them in almost all my light fixtures, except my 3-way reading lamps (although I did replace MY lamp with a 150-watt equivalent for my own reading).
I left a couple of old bulbs in my bathrooms with the new bulbs in multi-bulb fixtures just to get a more natural light.
My next set of bulbs will be LED bulbs, I hope. My brother just got into a sales organization pushing energy-efficient lighting for businesses.
In my experience that is correct...They last longer than they claim.
LOL!!! That makes 2 of us.
thanks for your recommendation. i may look into them.
LED lamps: spectral quality of what is available is narrow band [i.e. atrocious. The worst narrow band lights are yellow sodium vapor arc lamps]. So-called white is on the bluish side. Even if sourced from electronic surplus, the price is high [$10 for 1 watt LED]. 1 watter heats pretty well, and is best mounted on a small heat sink, and takes about 4V DC.
Mine sure don't! I think it must be a fraud! I want Congressional Committees! I want an investigation! I want the government to bail me out!..................
Yes. I've wondered about these too, and I've been interested in them. Do you have any experience with the type of light produced by these bulbs?
The upfront cost is pretty high, so I'd hate to buy it if I didn't like the light. How does it compare to other bulbs?
They are not ready for prime time yet, but I have a 20 Watt Equivalent for glareless lighting at the computer desk.
LOL!!!!!
We have an outside "streetlight" that is an option from the electric company.....we don't have to have it, but it sure makes a difference on this dark country road. I forget exactly what type of bulb it is, but it is not a harsh light and I have to say it has saved us from having a couple maniacs come round the curve and wind up in our front or side yard.
Corkscrews and some look like long U-Loops........
I've never had a problem using them on 3-way switches? Dimmers are a no-no but I've used them also on circuits with a photocell with no problems even though the package said not to use with dimmers or photocell.
I've never seen a warning about 3 way switches but some times I don't read all the fine print.
But the incandescents don't last as long there either. I started using them in my outside lamp because it burns all evening, and I replace it about once a year instead of 4 times a year, still a lot but with the energy costs I'm saving, plus not having to replace the bulb that often (which involves getting out a stepstool) I come out ahead.
I'm using one for my garage door opener now, the shaking really breaks the other bulbs fast (I switched to expensive appliance bulbs but it didn't help). There isn't any filiment to shake apart so I'm hoping the lamp will last just as long as it would anywhere else.
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