The Incandescent Lightbulb

[deep]

this is a sin

read the book


Let there be light: and there was light.
the light, it was good


Who do we think we are,
to divide the light from the darkness?

[indra]

Originally posted by deep
this is a sin

read the book


Let there be light: and there was light.
the light, it was good


Who are we think we are,
to divide the light from the darkness?

Actually it's a sin because when God said "let there be light" he meant incandescent light, dammit!

[AnnRKeyintheUSA]

You know, I used to see these things at target in the bin for a buck, now that they're 'enviornment savers' they are eight bucks. Looks like somebody's trying to get rich off this. boo.

I hate them. Got one in my bathroom. Can't see how to put my eye liner on right. Have to open the shades and hope the sun's out.

[joyfulgirl]

Originally posted by AnnRKeyintheUSA
Can't see how to put my eye liner on right. Have to open the shades and hope the sun's out.

That's what make-up mirrors are for.

[coemgen]

I just read this in Time magazine yesterday while my wife was at the doc.

The incandescent bulb uses 60 watts of power, cost $.25 to $1 per bulb, lasts about 1,000 hours and costs $262.80 to power during a five-year period.

The CFL uses 15 watts of power, costs about $2 per bulb, lasts about $10,000 hours and costs $65.70 during a five-year period.

So, we're talking $52.56 a year per bulb vs. $13.14 with the CFLs. That adds up when you consider how many bulbs you need for your home. It also doesn't factor in all the replacement bulbs you have to buy if you use incandescent bulbs.

Crazy.

[coemgen]

Oh, it also says the bulbs can save up to 2,000 times their weight in greenhouse gases.

[A_Wanderer]

Originally posted by melon
This is really silly, particularly since the new bulbs work in the exact same sockets. And, sure, they cost a little more right now, but they do last considerably longer, in addition to using less energy. However, when this law is enacted, "economies of scale" will kick in and make them cheaper--just like HDTVs, which, by the way, are increasingly necessary, considering analog TV will cease to transmit in 2009. I'm guessing our resident "libertarians" didn't bitch about that, due to the money to be made on the spectrum being vacated.

While I have had increasing libertarian tendencies over the last year, I get the sense that most self-described libertarians, at least in the U.S., are lunatics.

Not relevant to me as an individual, I switched to CFL bulbs and watch all my television on computer - although I can see the argument in favor of allowing people to use archaic technology.

[BonosSaint]

Welcome back, wanderer.

[LemonMelon]

We got a couple of free CFLs in the mail today. The advertising sounds promising enough, but I can't help but think they're a little weaker than the incandescents. And what's all this I hear about them containing mercury? That can't be good.

[unico]

welcome back a_wanderer!

[Vincent Vega]

Originally posted by LemonMelon
We got a couple of free CFLs in the mail today. The advertising sounds promising enough, but I can't help but think they're a little weaker than the incandescents. And what's all this I hear http://forum.interference.com/newrep...postid=4860245
U2 Feedback - Reply to Topicabout them containing mercury? That can't be good.

About 5mg of mercury, not that much. For example, if in Germany all CFL's were replaced by incandescents the coal used to power those lamps would emit 4.5 tons of mercury per year. But it's a reason not to give a CFL to normal waste.

When you switch on the light its weaker, but pretty quickly it's about as good as incandescents.
If you need exceptionally good light you would be better off with other bulbs, but for normal use a CFL should do.

[ntalwar]

There are dos and dont's in cleaning up a broken cfl bulb:

Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:

Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes.

Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.

Wear disposable rubber gloves, if available (do not use your bare hands).

Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard.

Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.

Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.

Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it.

If your state permits you to put used or broken fluorescent light bulbs in the garbage, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash (if no other disposal or recycling options are available).

Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.

The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent

http://www.pnl.gov/rlamps/cflcleanup.stm