Got any contraband light bulbs?

[UltraShy]

From an e-mail sent by the Reason Foundation:

In September, the European Union banned the sale of 100-watt incandescent light bulbs, with lawbreakers facing up to $70,000 in fines. Over the next few years, bans on lower-wattage bulbs kick in. In the United States, similar legislation comes into play in 2012. The idea is to kickstart the market for compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which use less energy than conventional incandescents. Although CFLs present any number of problems (even beyond a much higher initial cost), governments all over the globe are determined to make them the new standard.

Invented in its modern form by Thomas Edison in 1879, the light bulb became synonymous with a brilliant idea. Now, it seems, it's just one more symbol of a nanny state that increasingly dictates more choices in our public and private lives.

Can you say Nanny State gone wild?

Wonder if there will be a run on incandescent bulbs as people stock up in anticipation of this loony ban from the left, helping you because they think you're too stupid to select a light bulb on your own?

[Micronian]

Sounds good to me.

I don't think they're penalizing consumers though, it sounds more like they are penalizing the businesses that SELL incandescent bulbs. And like lead gasoline, it's old/wasteful tech that doesn't do anyone harm in it being phased out.

Also, does anyone really need 100watts to light their home? Are people trying to emulate midday sunlight in their living rooms?

[UltraShy]

Here's the video that goes with it:



It points out various shortcomings of CFLs, but environmentalists might wish to pay attention most to the fact that they contain mercury. I guess we'll just assume everyone will take their burned out CFLs to a facility for household hazardous waste, instead of just tossing it in the trash that ends up in a landfill and then leches into groundwater.

[UltraShy]

Originally Posted by Micronian

Also, does anyone really need 100watts to light their home? Are people trying to emulate midday sunlight in their living rooms?

I guess you could live at a romantic candlelight-level of brightness, but some might wish to have enough light to do things like read.

I've used plenty of 100 watt bulbs and they don't come close to midday sun. Nobody is going to put on sunglasses because a 100 watt bulb is too bright.

Ironically, a light bulb policy crafted by legislators who are dim bulbs.

I don't need to be told what light bulbs to buy. I write the checks for the monthly electric bills and I can assure you that I turn off lights when I leave a room because the price of electricity is obscene to a thrifty guy like me.

[Micronian]

Originally Posted by UltraShy

Here's the video that goes with it:



It points out various shortcomings of CFLs, but environmentalists might wish to pay attention most to the fact that they contain mercury. I guess we'll just assume everyone will take their burned out CFLs to a facility for household hazardous waste, instead of just tossing it in the trash that ends up in a landfill and then leches into groundwater.

it's true that CFL's are not the safest products out there, but right now it's the more responsible choice. I doubt were going to see citizens drop dead from mercury poisoning through these lightbulbs. I think these lightbulbs, like 'hybrid' cars, are only transitionary anyways until the real tech comes to consumers. right now, those 30+ yr life, natural white, super-bright lightbulbs are too expensive for the average consumer. One day, houses will probably come with such bulbs/light fixtures already installed and you'll never need to change a bulb.

...and there will still be the odd "American Man's Man" that will opt for 100-200W incandescent lightbulbs!

[bcarroll]

From EPAs Website

What if I accidentally break a fluorescent light bulb in my home?

The lamp contains a small amount of mercury, but you can clean this up yourself if you do the following:
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner to clean up the breakage. This will spread the mercury vapor and dust throughout the area and could potentially contaminate the vacuum.
• Keep people and pets away from the breakage area until the cleanup is complete.
• Ventilate the area by opening windows, and leave the area for 15 minutes before returning to begin the cleanup. Mercury vapor levels will be lower by then.
• For maximum protection and if you have them, wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the sharp glass.
• Carefully remove the larger pieces and place them in a secure closed container, preferably a glass container with a metal screw top lid and seal like a canning jar.40 A glass jar with a good
seal works best to contain any mercury vapors inside.41
• Next, begin collecting the smaller pieces and dust. You can use two stiff pieces of paper such as index cards or playing cards to scoop up pieces.
• Pat the area with the sticky side of duct tape, packing tape or masking tape to pick up fine particles. Wipe the area with a wet wipe or damp paper towel to pick up even finer particles.
• Put all waste and materials into the glass container, including all material used in the cleanup that may have been contaminated with mercury. Label the container as “Universal Waste - broken lamp.”
• Remove the container with the breakage and cleanup materials from your home. This is particularly important if you do not have a glass container.
• Continue ventilating the room for several hours.
• Wash your hands and face.
• Take the glass container with the waste material to a facility that accepts “universal waste” for recycling. To determine where your municipality has made arrangements for recycling of this type of waste, call your municipal office or go to MaineDEP.com, click on “Fluorescent Light Bulb Information” and look for the link to municipal collection sites.
• When a break happens on carpeting, homeowners may consider removing throw rugs or the area of carpet where the breakage occurred as a precaution, particularly if the rug is in an area frequented by infants, small children or pregnant women.
• Finally, if the carpet is not removed, open the window to the room during the next several times you vacuum the carpet to provide good ventilation.

The next time you replace a lamp, consider putting a drop cloth on the floor so that any accidental breakage can be easily cleaned up. If consumers remain concerned regarding safety, they may consider not utilizing fluorescent lamps in situations where they could easily be broken. Consumers may also consider avoiding CFL usage in bedrooms or carpeted areas requented by infants, small children, or pregnant women. Finally, consider not storing too many used/spent lamps before recycling as that may increase your chances of breakage. Don’t forget to properly recycle your used fluorescent bulbs so they don’t break and put mercury into our environment.

[mountain5]

Nothing personal to anyone here, but I think most of the outrage about CFLs is a thinly veiled way to gripe about a certain U.S. political party. Most of the lights in my apartment are CFLs and my only complaint is their warmup time, but I've gotten used to it. I even broke one a couple years ago.

Hopefully the 10's will see LED's becoming mainstream.

[pyramidsong]

This is going to make me sound incredibly shallow, but I hate those energy efficient bulbs, they give off such harsh, unattractive light. I like golden lamplight. What can I say, I'm more of an aesthete than an environmentalist.

[markx]

Originally Posted by UltraShy

Wonder if there will be a run on incandescent bulbs as people stock up in anticipation of this loony ban from the left

Pensioner stockpiles 1,000 banned lightbulbs so she can read for rest of her life

[UltraShy]

Originally Posted by bcarroll

From EPAs Website

What if I accidentally break a fluorescent light bulb in my home?

The lamp contains a small amount of mercury, but you can clean this up yourself if you do the following:
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner to clean up the breakage. This will spread the mercury vapor and dust throughout the area and could potentially contaminate the vacuum.
• Keep people and pets away from the breakage area until the cleanup is complete.
• Ventilate the area by opening windows, and leave the area for 15 minutes before returning to begin the cleanup. Mercury vapor levels will be lower by then.
• For maximum protection and if you have them, wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the sharp glass.
• Carefully remove the larger pieces and place them in a secure closed container, preferably a glass container with a metal screw top lid and seal like a canning jar.40 A glass jar with a good
seal works best to contain any mercury vapors inside.41
• Next, begin collecting the smaller pieces and dust. You can use two stiff pieces of paper such as index cards or playing cards to scoop up pieces.
• Pat the area with the sticky side of duct tape, packing tape or masking tape to pick up fine particles. Wipe the area with a wet wipe or damp paper towel to pick up even finer particles.
• Put all waste and materials into the glass container, including all material used in the cleanup that may have been contaminated with mercury. Label the container as “Universal Waste - broken lamp.”
• Remove the container with the breakage and cleanup materials from your home. This is particularly important if you do not have a glass container.
• Continue ventilating the room for several hours.
• Wash your hands and face.
• Take the glass container with the waste material to a facility that accepts “universal waste” for recycling. To determine where your municipality has made arrangements for recycling of this type of waste, call your municipal office or go to MaineDEP.com, click on “Fluorescent Light Bulb Information” and look for the link to municipal collection sites.
• When a break happens on carpeting, homeowners may consider removing throw rugs or the area of carpet where the breakage occurred as a precaution, particularly if the rug is in an area frequented by infants, small children or pregnant women.
• Finally, if the carpet is not removed, open the window to the room during the next several times you vacuum the carpet to provide good ventilation.

The next time you replace a lamp, consider putting a drop cloth on the floor so that any accidental breakage can be easily cleaned up. If consumers remain concerned regarding safety, they may consider not utilizing fluorescent lamps in situations where they could easily be broken. Consumers may also consider avoiding CFL usage in bedrooms or carpeted areas requented by infants, small children, or pregnant women. Finally, consider not storing too many used/spent lamps before recycling as that may increase your chances of breakage. Don’t forget to properly recycle your used fluorescent bulbs so they don’t break and put mercury into our environment.

Maybe it would be easier to just bring in a haz mat team.

[UltraShy]

Originally Posted by mountain5

Nothing personal to anyone here, but I think most of the outrage about CFLs is a thinly veiled way to gripe about a certain U.S. political party.

The Reason Foundation takes on loons from both the left & right. In this case it just happens to be loonies on the left, but there is no shortage of loons on the right for them to mock as well.

[Jnmcda0]

Originally Posted by pyramidsong

This is going to make me sound incredibly shallow, but I hate those energy efficient bulbs, they give off such harsh, unattractive light. I like golden lamplight. What can I say, I'm more of an aesthete than an environmentalist.

They sell a soft white (what I think you mean when you say "golden lamplight") version of the energy efficient bulbs. I honestly can't tell the difference between those and regular incandescent bulbs.

[Mr. Frostie]

Those CFLs are a rip off. We've used them, but switched back to regular light bulbs. The CFLs don't last any longer.

I also agree with the person that doesn't like the unnatural blue-tinged light they give off.

[BeNice]

Originally Posted by Micronian

Also, does anyone really need 100watts to light their home? Are people trying to emulate midday sunlight in their living rooms?

I had a 90 or 95 watt compact fluorescent grow light (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CF...l-spectrum.jpg). That was like having two 100 watt incandescent bulbs as far as brightness goes. That was like having midday sun, and that was the purpose for having it. I used it to light my terrarium, keeping my collection of tropical plants healthy. Considering how warm my fluorescent was, and fluorescent lamps generally operate cooler, I wouldn't want to run one in a regular home lamp. 60 watt incandescents are hot enough. They are pretty much outdated technology, although I do worry about how people dispose of fluorescent lamps. Most probably just put them in the regular garbage.

[BeNice]

Originally Posted by Jnmcda0

They sell a soft white (what I think you mean when you say "golden lamplight") version of the energy efficient bulbs. I honestly can't tell the difference between those and regular incandescent bulbs.

Yes. There are CFL's that have a yellow tinge. My grow light had a more golden color that was marketed for certain phases of plant growth, but I don't think it was anything significant. Honestly, I'm not sure what we have here, but they either have a yellow tinge or the lamp shade makes it seem that way. They are fine and they are only 13 watts.

LED's seem kind of interesting. I'm interested in all of this from a grow light and efficiency/light output perspective. Incandescents are crappy for plant growth. I'm not sure how well plants respond to LED lighting. I know they use less energy. http://cgi.ebay.com/E27-21-LED-Studi...item563528ee03. I might buy one just to try them out.

[UltraShy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Frostie

I also agree with the person that doesn't like the unnatural blue-tinged light they give off.

Seems to depend on the brand of bulb and they may have gotten better over the years. I use a bunch of CFLs that I inherited when my brother died. These newer CFL's put out a white light that I can't differentiate from conventional bulbs. They do still take a few minutes to get to full brightness and that effect is quite obvious, thus I'd never use them in a bathroom since I want light NOW and I flip the light on & off regularly. I can pee a lot faster than they can reach full brightness.

CFLs that I first tried back in the early 1990s would produce a clearly inferior light that was either blue or green tinged depending on the brand and one brand didn't last long at all.

By posting this thread, I'm not saying that CFLs are some evil thing to be avoided. I just don't think government should mandate your light bulb choices. If CFLs are actually better in terms of cost and produce light of equal quality then rational consumers will flock to them. What consumer doesn't want to save money on lighting?

And there is also the issue of how you use your lighting. If you use CFLs, but leave all the lights on in every room all evening long even when you're not in the room you're still a wasteful energy hog.

[BeNice]

Switching to CFL's isn't a bad move, but plenty of money is wasted by using HID lights for street and other public usage. They contain high pressure sodium and metal halide lights that range from 150 watts and upwards (up to 1000 in some uses, such as in parks). You often see these lights on in the day time because they aren't properly set up to go off, not to mention used excessively for night time lighting in general. They are the leading cause of ligh pollution. So, you probably have millions of these lights all over the country, running at 150 watts and upwards, possibly at taxpayer expense. Somebody is behind the waste. Also, the government won't make marijuana legal, so you have thousands of people using the same kinds of lamps to grow it in their houses. Serious growers usually use lights that are 250-400 watt, sometimes 1000 watt lights, often in multiples, not to mention all of the fans and other equipment to control heat and air flow.



That's a lot of energy being used. When you look at it that way, you really kind of wonder how much of a difference using a CFL makes.

[TheGMan]

OT: I was reading an article about the first guy to ever win a $5 million lottery. Apparently at the time ( early 80s) he was a light bulb changer who made $225 a week. I never knew there was such an occupation. Maybe the light bulb regulations will be used as a stimulus for light bulb changers and inspectors.

[shyvr6]

Originally Posted by bcarroll

From EPAs Website

What if I accidentally break a fluorescent light bulb in my home?

I think The Colbert Report did a spoof on that on the show. I'll have to see if I can find it.

[Jnmcda0]

Originally Posted by TheGMan

OT: I was reading an article about the first guy to ever win a $5 million lottery. Apparently at the time ( early 80s) he was a light bulb changer who made $225 a week. I never knew there was such an occupation.

If a company has a 30-story office tower, there will be a lot of light bulbs and somebody has to change them. I've got an uncle that is a painter for a local hospital. You might think that you wouldn't need a full-time painter, but when you consider how many rooms are in a large hospital, there is a lot of painting to be done.