Brother, can you help me buy a light bulb!

I'm shopping for a few household items when I arrive at the light bulb isle.  When what to my wondering eyes does not appear???  All my regular light bulbs are gone, ... gone I tell you!  Replaced with those spiral bulbs and new creations I've never seen before.  I start reading labels, but I don't see any 40, 60, 75, 100 watt bulbs.  I see numbers that do not compute in my brain.  I see numbers like 57, 94, 38, and I have no idea what that means.

I know the new CFL bulbs are supposed to save the environment --**sigh**--; they are supposed to burn longer;  supposed to use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs;  supposed to save money in the long-run. 

But I don't like the new bulbs.  The new bulbs supposedly outlast the traditional ones 10-to-1, but they also contain mercury and many people are unaware of the potential danger mercury can pose.  They must be recycled and that costs money.

When I flip the switch it takes them forever to come on. 

I just read that their life expectancy is greatly shortened if you cannot turn them on and leave them on for a minimum or 15 minutes to 3 hours.  Supposedly it is the constant turning them on and off that make them go bad.   Does this really equal any savings???


You can only use CFL bulbs in timers or photocells that are specifically designed to be used in these devices.

CFL bulbs can cause interference with devices such as radios and computers, and you must move the lamp or the electronic devices away from each other.

If the base of your CF bulb is too big for your lamp, you must buy a socket extender.(see image)

If the CF bulb is too big for your lamp's harp, you will need to purchase a harp adapter.  (see image)

You can only use three-way CF bulbs in three-way lamps.

Then you must consider not only your light bulbs for lamps, but for floodlights, spotlights, ceiling fans, track lights, ornamental and night lights, recessed ceiling fixtures, art spotlights, and on and on and on.  See the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) for more info.

I have figured out from GE Lighting, that a:

	Standard Bulb		CFL Bulb
	40w	=	10w
	60w	=	13w-15w
	75w	=	20w
	100w	=	26w-29w
	150w	=	38w-42w
	250w-300w	=	55w

Some companies provide the old wattage on the packages to make your purchase simple, but not all companies have done that.    Can't I just have my old light bulbs back???

 

 

Comments

[Katie]

They don't last as long, and forget about a dimmer switch.

Funny how the old-fashioned bulbs lasted longer and did a better job of lightening a room. Just like this one at Livermore, California.

http://www.centennialbulb.org/

Now that's a light bulb!!!!!!!!!

[Stanford Matthews]

Ah, another choice going away? I know some people who have used the compact fluorescents and reported mixed results. Just like digital TV and 10% ethanol in gasoline it is something the market is not allowed to determine. You will do this.

There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. (the Outer Limits)

But it is funny to me this post appeared now as just a few hours ago I put light bulbs on the old shopping list as one just expired.

[MK]

Given all those problems with them and their resulting stupidity and inefficiency, is it any wonder these wretched things are pushed by the left upon people and true to their nature, people aren't allowed the choice, to reject them.

[Debbie]

Katie: That's some light bulb, ha.

Stanford Matthews: Have fun shopping for those light bulbs and be prepared to pay a lot more.

MK: Good point. I thought the Left was always so worried about how the poor were being treated. Using these bulbs is certainly not helping those who already are in financial "crisis".

[Steve Harkonnen]

Actually, I've been quite impressed by their performance, and also noticed a drastic reduction in my electric bill overall since I've replaced all of my 60 watt bulbs with these marvels.

As for the mercury, I've never had one shatter on me, but rest assured if I do I will not scurry out of the house from the mercury. Our bodies can take the exposure since our livers are 17+ years here and if one broke on me I'd simply clean it up with a broom and throw it out.

[nancz]

still loading slow and you have so many things i need to read!

hate the curly-que bulbs and have packed them all up and put the incandescents out - now i need to go stock up.

[Debbie]

Steve: Glad to hear that you like these bulbs, since we are being force to use them.

nancz: Stock up if you can find any. The Wal-Mart close to us does not stock any of the old bulbs, but I'm goinig to look in other stores.

I knew this was coming and I should have already stocked up.

Wonder when the brown shirts will come to check my pantry???

[nancz]

debbie - i'm hating where this nation is headed - wonder if we can figure a way to "recycle" or "rebuild" the old bulbs? ha!

[Stanford Matthews]

I went to Home Depot for more lamps. They still have incandescents, lots of them. But at 87 cents for a four pack of Philips 60 watt I'm guessin' that's a clearance price.

Debbie, I still say that was a weird coincidence. You publish the post, I read it after thinking about puttin' lamps on the shopping list and then one burns out. And then I see George Will's column on the topic. I'm scare't. The liberals are coming. The liberals are coming. I mean brown shirts.

[Debbie]

It's going to be very interesting, I'm wondering how people will respond after a large majority of the population starts using these bulbs.

[Hazardous location lighting]

Excellent read, I know the old bulbs are going to be extinct in a few years. Btw, very well written blog.

[new jersey dryer vent cleaning]

I think CFL is the best option here for you. these lights are very cool or long life. I have full satisfaction with them. just try once. hope these are good for you also.