Posted on 12/15/2008 12:06:52 PM PST by Sammy67
NCPA: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Not Worth Cost and Trouble Report Says Government Should Not Force CFLs on Consumers
DALLAS (Dec. 10, 2008) - Although touted by many as the smart energy choice, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are not suitable for many common uses and should not be required by the government, according to a new report by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA).
The Environmental Protection Agency states that CFLs will reduce energy use and will last longer than standard bulbs. However, NCPA Senior Fellow and report co-author Sterling Burnett argues: "For many uses, compact fluorescent bulbs may be more costly and
(Excerpt) Read more at rightsidenews.com ...
uh.... throw them away like you always do... what? Are you going to tell me that the garbage men look through your garbage and "report" you.
I'll throw anything I want to in the garbage. It all ends up in the same place.
The new ones are better, there are soft white, daylight, and full spectrum CFL bulb available now, but what I really hate is the "equivalency" ratings... They claim that a certain CFL puts out as much light as say a 60 watt incandescent bulb. I didn't believe it, and I did a completely unscientific study on the matter... I have 2 identical desk lamps where I used the 2 bulbs, and to my eyes, the CFL was noticeably dimmer. It put out substantially less light. Next, I chose a ceiling fixture that has 2 sockets, and used a 60 watt equivalent CFL and a 60 watt soft white bulb. One side of the room is noticeably dimmer than the other. Thinking that the problem might have more to do with the color temperature (warmth) rather than the actual light output, I broke out my ancient Seikonic incident light meter, and it showed a nearly 1 1/2 stop difference, which is pretty substantial.
My general rule of thumb is to use at least the next higher equivalence rating of CFL for any fixture, and sometimes, depending on the application 2 higher. For instance, where I was using a 60 watt incandescent bulb, I now typically use a 75 or 100 watt equivalent CFL (if I use one at all) depending on what I need. So there is some energy savings, just not as much as one might think.
Mark
“(not to mention unhealthy as I found out - getting mercury poisoning from broken fluorescent lights and having to go through chelation therapy).”
How many broken fluorescents were you around?
We don’t have garbage inspectors yet, but King County has them, so, they can’t be that far down the road. In Seattle, people have to even sort their garbage from the other disposables. The county plans to compost the garbage and sell it back to the people. This is the first year, so they are not yet enforcing it, but you have to have the separate container, whether you use it or not. Next year, the inspections start.
Ditto. It made a lot of terrible hissing and sparking noise too. It was the light bulb assembly itself, not the fixture in case anyone is wondering.
I have NEVER had an incandescent light bulb catch fire.
Not very many - maybe 6 to 12. The extra mercury could have come from other sources like tuna or my old amalgam fillings from 15 years ago, but my body should have purged it by now. So, it must be mainly fluorescent light fumes.
Was it a conventional doctor that made the diagnosis?
I’m aware of the LED lighting superiority but have been waiting for the price to come down and a good white light LED to come along. Can you shed any light (yes, pun intended) on their current price and whether a good white light LED is available?
Frankly, I have a problem believing the hype about the dangers of the CFL’s because we’ve been using flourescents for years and it didn’t seem to be an issue until recently. Last time I took some flourescent bulbs (old style) to the recycling center they disposed of them as regualr trash.
It depends on the usage.
My business office has a total of 24 60 watt reflector lights (for recessed lighting)which are on about 12 hours per day, 6 days per week. I was replacing bulbs which are far more expensive than a regular light bulb about every 6 months.
I switched to the CFLs about 2 years ago. No burnouts to date and my electric bill is about $15.00 less per month. My cost savings is substantial.
Um, throw away the mercury-contaminated clothing or bedding. In your regular garbage, I presume. But don't throw away a CFL bulb? I just had another CFL blow out on me yesterday, and tossed the CFL into the garbage. Lasted only a year. Not going to buy any more; replaced it with a regular old-fashioned bulb.
If I'm not mistaken, the new CFL's are a completely different technology with a different compound than the straight tubes. Never was warned about breaking a florescent tub.
A neurologist. If you’re interested, send me a private email here.
I've said the following for years:
Socialism is the goal, enviromentalism is the tool.
I have also been told they won’t work inside a refrigerator, nor inside your oven.
Are you saying that you actually use them there?
See post #3.
Or are you just arranging things so you get a new frig/stove?
Well Balding_Eagle, you are perceptive. Balding but perceptive.
Some outlets are starting to recycle (I think Lowes and Home Depot, maybe Walmart). Just be careful transporting them to recycle.
I've got CFLs - some inside my house encased in a flood light and some outside that stay on all night. I hate to put them into the landfill, so I'll figure out how to recycle when needed.
Some posts on this thread leave me stunned. Seriously.
Isn't ANYONE thinking?
Have you given a moments thought to what your stove and the burners, and all the places you use to place uncooked and cooked food will be like if one of these breaks/burns? It's going to take a LOT more than just a wipe and vacuum.
See post #3.
We all mock the Hazmat angle of cleanup, it does seem like overkill, but to deliberately risk exposure of mercury directly into your own part of the food chain brings a whole new meaning to one of my favorite phrases "CFLs? No thanks, I take my mercury with fish".
I haven’t replaced any of them in 16 months. Got them for a $1 a piece. Save about $25 a month. Total payback time: 2 months, not counting the savings by not having to replace them very often.
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