Posted on 01/01/2011 6:48:26 PM PST by SmithL
Californians can start saying goodbye to traditional 100-watt incandescent light bulbs now that the state has become the first in the country to require a new standard for the screw-base bulbs.
Experts say the new rules, which took effect New Year's Day, will save residents money and energy. California is already the nation's leader in energy efficiency standards.
As of Saturday, what used to be a 100-watt light bulb manufactured and sold in California will have to use 72 watts or less. The 72-watt replacement bulb, also called an energy saving halogen light, will provide the same amount of light, called lumens, for lower energy cost.
Similar new standards for traditional 75-watt, 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent bulbs will go into effect in California over the next few years, with wattages reduced to 53, 43 and 29 respectively.
The new rule does not ban incandescent light bulbs; it just requires those bulbs to be 25 to 30 percent more efficient. And it only affects incandescent light bulbs manufactured after 2011, not light bulbs already in use or on store shelves.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
They work very well as heating devices. I have a cat sleeping on my desk enjoying one right now.
I had one burst into flames in the garage. The flames were licking the roof truss under it. The flame didn’t abate until I cut the power to the bulb.
I never use one unattended.
“Now if I could get a thermostat which would turn it on and off when the temperature went below, let’s say, 33 degrees, “
I use a cheap thermostat that I got from an abandoned building. I aim for two temps, depending on just what I’m doing, 4C and 35C.
And heck yes, if it works you should not have to worry that FedGov is going to mess with you over a commodity like incan bulbs!
CFL's reduce the total amount of mercury released into the environment by coal fired plants at the risk of higher localized mercury releases in living spaces and landfills.
The general trend has been to ban products with mercury in them unless no viable alternatives are available. The EPA seems to being saying CFL's are OK because there is no viable alternative for light bulbs..
Some guy in Germany, where incandescent light bulbs are already banned, has been selling 100W bulbs as heating devices.
What’s going to happen to Easy Bake Ovens without them?
What to look for when shopping for a long life incandescent light bulb:
Krypton or Halogen gas filled - this helps the filament last longer by redepositing the evaporated tungsten material back onto the filament. it also helps in heat dissipation and circulation.
Multi-filament support - this helps keep vibration from destroying the filament. Most commercial bulbs only have two supports. Look for ones with 6 to 9. Aside from normal household vibration, the filament itself vibrates from electrical energy.
Heavy-duty lead wires - important for the same reasons as above, as well as withstanding the high heat generated by the bulb.
Heat resistant cement - the base needs to be firmly cemented with material that does not deteriorate from heat.
Brass base - most base materials in commercial bulbs are made with inferior metals which deform and cannot withstand the prolonged heat of the bulb.
130 volt bulbs - by running 130 volt bulbs at the slightly lower 120 volt power, the bulb’s lifespan increases dramatically.
With the features listed above, an incandescent light bulb can last 10 years or more. Many companies that make these type of bulbs actually guarantee them for the posted life of the bulb.
“CFL’s reduce the total amount of mercury released into the environment by coal fired plants”
Yes, the government is using that logic.
And as we build more and more windmills and solar stations, the equation of relative risks shifts.
Another risk factor is that almost all of the Gorebulbs are made in China. The workers will get more exposure, then the Hg is diluted by being placed in millions of Gorebulbs, which after a stint in a home, goes into a USA landfill.
Now I can replace my 100W light bulb with three 50W light bulbs for the same coverage.
Indeed.
America continues the march toward a totalitarian police state.
We are not even allowed to determine what kind of light we utilize in our homes. I hate these new government sponsored light bulbs, as they emit low level lighting that is unsuitable for reading.
Internet regulation is on the way.
It's only a matter of time before our thought patterns are regulated by the damn government.
Garbage haulers would certainly be at risk for long term exposure...
I had that LP back in the day......
I use the cfl’s almost all over my house. In places where I need real light I use incandescents. The cfl’s never last as long as the regular bulbs with one exception. I have a cfl in a lamp in my den that is used every night and has not been changed in over 10 yrs. Weird.
lol, they're a joke, the only time I ever encountered one was on a major holiday, once in 19 years
yes, I figured they were made in China, cheap @#$%
A line voltage themostat should be readily available. Hmmm, let me take a look.
Here is one:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DAYTON-Line-Voltage-Control-2E815
Wire that to turn the light bulb on and off. I’d use two light bulbs so you’d have some back up on your heat source, and maybe have a switch wired in parallel with the thermostat so it would also be your light source when you were in the “refrigerated” root cellar.
The key to getting good results from fluorescent undercabinet lighting is to use quality, high CRI (Color Rendering Index) lamps. I prefer warm white (color temp 3000K or less) and you’re looking for a CRI of 85 or higher.
In Home Depots around here, there are GE T5s in green packaging over near the undercounter lighting fixtures that meet the need. The lamps in the replacement lamp aisle aren’t nearly as good.
If you are using T8s, you now know what you’re looking for, I’m not as familiar with exactly where to get “the good stuff” for those.
Actually I saw a pair of Hollywoody “searchlights” crisscrossing the night sky at the opening of something or another (it might have been a premiere, don’t know) within the last month.
And before that, saw some within the last year.
I hope i can still buy some incandescent bulbs out of old stock on the shelves?
I don't remember the exact price, but I'm thinking it was between $25 and $35. Lowe's has them. I'm a regular there, so I'll find out next time I go.
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