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 ...
.....I use these bulbs in Almost all my lights at home.....
Do they provide more lumens per watt than incandescant?
I'm outfitting a truck and need good light for reading. I have an inverter and need to have max light with least amps.
Light output is fine. Plenty of lumens to spare, but I wonder if the vibration might shorten their life span somewhat........
It seems to me that you are doing some intense price shopping on the 60 watters but looking to intentionally be ripped off on the CF. Even with very moderate price shopping, you can find them for $4 or under.
Click here and you can get 10 of them for $17.00 shipping included. I bought a bunch of them from this guy and so far so good.
......I have thought about taking my 100-watt bulbs with me.....
You are not alone. The Indian ownership revolution has eliminated any bulb greater than 60 watts. I always think to take a light bulb but can't remember..... to take it or to retrieve it.
I have had good success with giving them a heads up when I reserve a room on line.
They ask about special needs.....I tell them a light for reading and office work is needed at least 100 watts.
Thank you!
Yeah, my exterior CFLs are also quite slow to brighten up, but I generally don't care because they get turned on at dusk and stay on until we go to bed. The warmup period, even when outside in sub-freezing temps is generally just a few minutes. Used indoors they come up to full output in less than a minute, I would say.
Not on the market yet.
Seoul Semiconductor squeezes 240 lumens into "brightest" LED
SSC's new P4 LED product emits 240 lumens at 1A
Seoul Semiconductor has plans for 135 lm/W by 2007 and 145 lm/W by Q1 2008 (Almost 10x the efficiency of incandescent)
In comparison, fluorescent manages 70 lm/W and incandescent pulls a mere 15 lm/W.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/12/seoul-semiconductor-squeezes-240-lumens-into-brightest-led/
No problem. I haven't compared these to the GE bulbs, and I'll admit I've only had them in for about six months, so I can't say anything about their longevity, but they turn on almost instantly (1/2 second to a second), go up to full brightness pretty quickly, and I personally like the color they put out. I bought the 100 watt equivalents though and not the 75 watt equivalents.
Do you mean the long tube type? They flicker 120 times a second and seem to bother some folks. The CF bulbs flicker faster than your TV set, so, unless TV gives you a headache, CF bulbs shouldn't.
I just discovered that they finally figured out how to make decorative fluorescents, and replaced all the globe lights in the bathrooms. They work very nicely.
Thanks for the link.
I bought some LED Christmas lights and they were horrifying.
They work all right outside, but they are enough to make one sick when used on the tree or in indoor decorations.
I have a recessed can light over my kitchen sink and I love the fluorescent spotlight I put in.
Decorative styles are now available.
Assuming the incandescent and CF give the same hours of service, the $7 of additional cost when subtracted from the $30 saving in energy results in a net saving of $23. Unless I'm missing something here (and I could be), you can't afford not to use CF.
I have one inside my fridge. I don't expect it will ever need to be replaced (no problems thus far). It fit in a space for a compact appliance bulb (it was the only bulb I had on hand at the time). It cost about $1.60.
We replaced our bathroom light with one of these, and shortly thereafter, I wrote this for my wife -
Where the warm cuddles are
The light travels slower
As it shifts down to yellow
You can actually measure the delay, between flipping the switch, and the light coming on. LOL.
Still, if I only have to change the bulb every five years, I love it!
"I've got two of them OUTSIDE my garage"
Try it in the freezer. You'll see what I mean.
You can get them in 12V, which is a huge energy saving over 12V-120V inverter - 120V bulb.
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