Junk Science: Light Bulb Lunacy

[KenP]

The only complaint I have about the lamps, as I said in another thread, is that you can't dim them. Since most all of our lighting is from cans and fans on dimmers, they don't do much good for us.

We've got them in our backyard deck lights and a few lamps in the house that may stay on for many hours at a time like the one in the foyer that stays on overnight a few nights a week. Don't want to come out of the bedroom and stumble down the stairs or anything like that.

BTW, the wife doesn't like them since they don't have "cool" or "soft" light.

[usetosellhummer]

I have dogs and a hyper senstive wife so no for us. I save the same amount of power by not searching for porn all the time on the computer

I'm waiting for those bulbs to improve before I switch.

[bparker]

(asking not stating)

Well, if they are "that bad" then why do we all have florescent lights in just about every kitchen in the USA in addition to the countless ones in schools and office buildings? Those are broken all the time in the "work place" and never have I ever seen any env group come to clean them up..

Arent the larger ones (the long tube lights) the same and have actually alot more mercury?

[evldave]

[quote=bparker
Arent the larger ones (the long tube lights) the same and have actually alot more mercury?

[/quote]

Yes

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Thankfully, LEDs will soon be taking the place of CFL. They use less energy (waaaay less), "burn" cool, and last practically forever. I have broken a few CFL's, which seems too easy, but hopefully I haven't seen too much mercury exposure. I try to take comfort in the fact that most people's parents or grandparents played with mercury as kids, so the long term effects of simple exposure to whats in a CFL can't be too awful.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

Thankfully, LEDs will soon be taking the place of CFL. They use less energy (waaaay less), "burn" cool, and last practically forever. I have broken a few CFL's, which seems too easy, but hopefully I haven't seen too much mercury exposure. I try to take comfort in the fact that most people's parents or grandparents played with mercury as kids, so the long term effects of simple exposure to whats in a CFL can't be too awful.

Agreed, heck even as an adult I love to break worn out T8 & T12 lamps into the garbage can. I think the biggest issue long-run (and something that wasn't an issue before CFLs) is the large volume of mercury needing to be disposed of. I'd love to see LEDs take over, significantly safer for the environment, little interference (power factor) issues, cool, etc. Cost will be uber-expensive to start, but well worth it in the long run.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by KenP

The only complaint I have about the lamps, as I said in another thread, is that you can't dim them.

Dimmable CFLs exist. I tested some in China the last time I was over there, the technology is there and they work great! The ones I saw were stepping lights (like a 50/75/150 but with many many more gradations).

You can also get quick-start CFLs as well, so you don't get the annoying wait/flicker, and I know that they have (or will have soon) those 'Reveal' or whatever they are called natural light tones.

[KenP]

Originally Posted by evldave

You can also get quick-start CFLs as well, so you don't get the annoying wait/flicker, and I know that they have (or will have soon) those 'Reveal' or whatever they are called natural light tones.

That's all good to hear. Thanks.