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 ...
If they want us to use them lower the price. Price and my wallet matter. Not everybody has 8.00 for a light bulb.
We have a house full of 'em.
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This is not news to folks who have Costco or Sam's Club memberships. You can buy big lots of 13 W (60 W incandescent equivalent) compact flourescent bulbs really cheap. In fact, because my stepdad has a Costco membership, I've pretty much replaced every incandescent light bulb in the house with CFB's.
I've replaced every bulb in the house except for the ones on dimmers. The light seems whiter or bluer to me, which I especially appreciate in the winter. The only negative is the brief (1 minute?) warm up time. I think most people choke on the up front cost.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I use these bulbs in Almost all my lights at home. They don't seem to last as long as they claim...........
That was true in the past but today's CFBs have much more neutral colors and work very well even in bathrooms (they now have new models that can withstand even higher-humidity environments.
LED replacement bulbs are the way of the future. 10 times more efficient than even CF bulbs.
It's like walmart getting behind the cassette deck as an alternative to the 8 track, just shortly before the CD player came out.
I have these bulbs all over my house. The only place I don't have them in is my dining room where there is a dimmer switch. I bought several four packs of varying wattages at Home Depot for around $12 each.
WalMart PING!!!
Happy New Year :)
A box of 4 60 watt bulbs is 88 cents. one CF is around 8 bucks. It will take a long time to make up the cost difference. The light seems weird, too, and they suck in the cold. Thse differences aside, they are great.
I just got yelled at by my father in law because I told him I refuse to recycle. I should have told him that nearly every incandescent in my house is CF.
I just dropped $30 on 6 bulbs for my kitchen chandelier.
Use 'em everywhere in the cathouse!
I hate the things. It takes several minutes for them to warm up and cast the full power of their creepy glow. When I go into my basement, or the laundry room, or a closet, I need to get in, get something, and get out. I'm gone long before the weirdo light bulb can give these middle-aged eyes enough light.
It would never cross my mind to use them in the kitchen, where I need bright halogens on the dark granite, or in the parlor or library or living room, where I want a warm light. So unless they can fix the bizarre Dr. Frankenstein effect and make the things shine brightly the moment you turn them on, I won't be a customer.
We use them where we can, but especially where the lights are one most, like the kitchen and bathroom. Sam's sells them for a pretty good price and occasionally Valu Home centers have them on sale for a GREAT price. You have to check their ads, but it's worth it for the savings on the cost of the bulb.
The bulbs are larger than a standard light bulb and don't fit most of my fixtures.
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