Fluorescent Bulbs

[dooleysm]

Everything I've read points to incandescents being on the way out. I believe the EU has outlawed them and I wouldn't be surprised if you have a hard time finding them in the US within the next 5 years. Walmart is very much behind CF's, and that's going to do more than anything to drive down the cost of CF's and kill incandescents.

The different 'color' of light, slow startup times, varying lifespans, etc. that we are talking about here are minor points when compared to the huge energy savings.

Of course, I may be wrong, and it surely wouldn't be the first time.

 

[sseelhoff]

Everything I've read points to incandescents being on the way out. I believe the EU has outlawed them and I wouldn't be surprised if you have a hard time finding them in the US within the next 5 years. Walmart is very much behind CF's, and that's going to do more than anything to drive down the cost of CF's and kill incandescents.

The different 'color' of light, slow startup times, varying lifespans, etc. that we are talking about here are minor points when compared to the huge energy savings.

Of course, I may be wrong, and it surely wouldn't be the first time.

Actually, you're probably right about the future of incandescent bulbs. I just read a few months ago that either the State of California, or several cities in California, were considering legislation similar to the EU that would ban the use of incandescents and require all to be replaced with CFLs in the next two years. We will probably see more of that kind of legislation as the idea takes hold.

 

[Bird]

Everything I've read points to incandescents being on the way out. I believe the EU has outlawed them and I wouldn't be surprised if you have a hard time finding them in the US within the next 5 years.

I was told by a fellow who ought to know (although I can't say for sure he does) that the incandescents will no longer be made after 2012, and that's only 4 years, so you're probably right.

 

[MossRoad]

The different 'color' of light, slow startup times, varying lifespans, etc. that we are talking about here are minor points when compared to the huge energy savings.

Minor to you, but not to me. My home currently has a very nice warm glow to it. I don't like the white light at all and fluorescent light really does bother my eyes, especially when watching a movie or visiting with friends. It is more like an interrogation room than a living room.

Does anyone know of a brand or type of CFL with a nice glow that isn't so industrial looking?

 

[MossRoad]

I better start stocking up... I'll store them with my hi-flow shower heads and large flush toilets... in the space I cleared out after I went through my Y2K stash!

But seriously, I am not against using CFLs. They make plenty of sense regarding energy usage. I had three 40W bulbs replaced with three 13W CFLs that were equivilant to 65W light output. That was a 120W for 39W swap with an increase in lighting by more than 50%. Great deal, just ugly light.

So, any of you have decorative lighting in your dining room or bath that use candle tip bulbs? What are we going to use when the incandescents for those are gone? They are going to be U-G-L-Y for sure.

 

[zeuspaul]

I believe the feds have passed legislation phasing out incandescents. They start with 100 watt bulbs and work their way down to 40 watt bulbs. It was unclear to me if they go lower than that.

I don't think Calif law is specific yet but may be superceded by Federal law.

I am stocking up. My incandescent energy use is lower than most with CF bulbs because my lights are off most of the time.

If the government FORCES me to use CF bulbs I'll leave them on all the time

Zeuspaul

 

[Bird]

So, any of you have decorative lighting in your dining room or bath that use candle tip bulbs? What are we going to use when the incandescents for those are gone? They are going to be U-G-L-Y for sure.

David, I don't know about "ugly" yet, but I, too, have wondered what kinds of new bulbs they'll come up with. One of our bathrooms has 6 of the bulbs with the little base, the fixure over the dining table also has 6, shaped differently, and two of our four ceiling fans have three bulbs each of what the manual calls "candelabra base incandescent B-10 light bulbs". I think (but ain't sure) that all 18 have the same base, but I know I've got 3 different shaped bulbs.

 

[sseelhoff]

I believe the feds have passed legislation phasing out incandescents. They start with 100 watt bulbs and work their way down to 40 watt bulbs. It was unclear to me if they go lower than that.

I don't think Calif law is specific yet but may be superceded by Federal law.

I am stocking up. My incandescent energy use is lower than most with CF bulbs because my lights are off most of the time.

If the government FORCES me to use CF bulbs I'll leave them on all the time

Zeuspaul

Here's the link to the California story. It is a legislative attempt to ban incandescents state wide.

ABC News: Legislator Wants Green Lights in California

 

[Mike058]

Minor to you, but not to me. My home currently has a very nice warm glow to it. I don't like the white light at all and fluorescent light really does bother my eyes, especially when watching a movie or visiting with friends. It is more like an interrogation room than a living room.

Does anyone know of a brand or type of CFL with a nice glow that isn't so industrial looking?

I saw an article in a magazine where several brands were tested for color, brightness and just subjective "feel". Unfortunately, I don't remember what magazine it was. But the good news is that not all CF are the same. Some are much more tolerable than others. We're just going to have to try some different brands out and see what's the least annoying I guess. I'm not too tickled about having to live by fluorescent light either.

In a couple of years I'll be having this conversation with the border guard coming back from Canada.

"Tell me sir, you wouldn't have any incandescent bulbs in that trailer of yours, would you?.

"No sir, just marijuana.

"All right then, have a nice day.

 

[ultrarunner]

GE makes dimmable Fluorescent Spots for ceiling can fixtures to replace incandescents... I buy them through Grainger for the Hospital.

Floursesents have phenomenal life when they are turned on and left on. I mentioned in an earlier post that I have some T8 Fluorescents that are going strong after 10 years of continuously being on (The Fixtures do not have off switches) I know the lumens decrease over time, but they are still adequate.

I also have applications where the lamps are turned on and off many times each day (Not my idea) and the T8's last about 3 to 4 months...