Hey guys, can we talk about lightbulbs for a sec? I have some questions.

[beachmom]

So, the Republicans are salivating at the prospect of a majority in the House. And one of their issues that they want to address in the Energy Committee is the situation with lightbulbs. Kate Sheppard has the story:

http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/09/gop-defending-your-right-life-liberty-and-inefficient-lighting

Almost as if on cue, Republicans today signaled the kind of leadership they plan to display on energy matters if they take back the House in November. Following a push from conservative pundits, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) introduced legislation to preserve your freedom of choice—when it comes to light bulbs at least.

Barton, who could potentially reprise his role as chair of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee next year if the GOP wins the House, unveiled the "Better Use of Light Bulbs Act" on Friday. Michael Burgess (R-Tex.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) are cosponsoring the measure, which would repeal the phase-out of incandescent bulbs set to begin next year. The phase-out to more energy-efficient lighting was included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

In theory, I am with John Kerry and the Democrats on this and think it's ridiculous that something that would be so simple to reduce carbon emissions would be blocked. In practice, though, I might be with the Republicans. In short, I HATE those new lightbulbs. They are just crap. Lousy for reading, AND many of them burn out WAY earlier than what was advertised. I haven't found ones that can do the three way so that you can make them bright. This sane story in the National Review highlights other problems:


http://www.nationalreview.com/agenda/245874/incandescent-bulb-divide-reihan-salam

Kate Sheppard basically concedes his point!!!!

But, maybe I am buying the wrong ones. I'm just saying this 2012 phase out has me very worried. Like we're going backwards in terms of lighting our homes. I just was wondering what everyone else's experience with the energy efficient lightbulbs has been. Because at this point, I might need to stockpile the old kinds if they are going to be phased out I am so unhappy with the new ones.

[karynnj]

1. I've had mixed success

In all overhead light fixtures, I have found some that are quite satisfactory, BUT, they contain mercury which means that they should not be just thrown in the garbage. I have not yet looked to see where they can be disposed of - it's easier to put them aside. Where I have not been successful is in two chandeliers - I don't think they make them in those sizes and if they did, appearance there would be an issue.

[MH1]

7. You can take dead CFLs to Home Depot

among other places, I'm sure.

I have a Home Depot very close so that's what I do.

I haven't gotten around to dealing with my chandelier either, but otherwise I've been using CFLs whenever I replace a bulb, for about the last 10 years. I don't have a problem with the light, only that they take a while to brighten fully after you turn them on, so I find myself leaving certain lights on more than I would otherwise.

I am planning to check into LEDs soon. I've heard they're better but the price hasn't yet come down to sanity on them yet.

[Mass]

2. I started to use them more than 10 years ago, so I am used to them now and cant use an incandescent

light anymore. It may be a question of being used to it. I remember that, when we started, we were surprised because it takes longer for them to get as bright as they can. But we got used to that. It is true that they dont last as long as advertised, but they last a lot longer than the other ones.

My main complaint is that the bulb are too big. We have a few old ceiling lights where they do not fit.

[fedupinBushcountry]

3. I like them

I bought my first one over 4 years ago and I still have it. Also a regular light bulb would burn out on our front porch light every few months until I bought the new one and it lasted 3 years. I have saved loads of money with the new ones and got my kids them as stocking stuffers. No turning back for me, sorry, Beachmom.

[wisteria]

4. I like the ones I have too. When my older bulbs burn out I replace them with these. n/t

[MBS]

5. I have a few fluorescent bulbs where light quality doesn't matter

but I basically hate them (and the mercury, and disposal, are additional problems. One blew up in my basement.. a real mess). So I cope with being careful about light usage, and crossing my fingers that LED technology keeps getting better with more options (including a warmer spectrum) for use in household lighting.

[sandnsea]

6. Got some for free at a home show

That was cool. I had bought a bunch when I moved, decided to leave the old ones at the other house because I figured renters wouldn't put the money in to get them. So I had to buy new ones in this house, oh well. I love not worrying about the damn light bulbs burning out. I'm completely used to the lighting. There's different kinds of color temperatures and you might not have gotten bright enough bulbs for reading locations. I did a lot of studying on different bulbs before I bought mine.
http://www.sanibulb.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?screen=cfl#6

What I like the best in my new place are the ceiling solar lights. Why isn't there a boatload of money to get these into houses? And if they collected energy during the day so they could light at night too, wow, that would be awesome. We could shut down 90% of electricty used for lighting just by doing that.