CFL light problems

[Paddy]

The legislation for the US:

QUOTE

Federal legislation
In December 2007, many of these state efforts became moot when the federal government enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires all general-purpose light bulbs that produce 310–2600 lumens of light[31] be 30% more energy efficient (similar to current halogen lamps) than then-current incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The efficiency standards will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014.

Light bulbs outside of this range are exempt from the restrictions. Also exempt are several classes of specialty lights, including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, stage lighting and plant lights.

By 2020, a second tier of restrictions would become effective, which requires all general-purpose bulbs to produce at least 45 lumens per watt (similar to current CFLs). Exemptions from the Act include reflector flood, 3-way, candelabra, colored, and other specialty bulbs.[32]
In 2011 Rep. Joe Barton of Texas and 14 other Republicans joined to introduce the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act or BULB Act (H.R. 91), which would have repealed Subtitle B of Title III of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Barton was opposed to regulation, while Rep. Michael Burgess pointed to jobs purportedly lost to China and voiced a fear of mercury problems resulting from CFL use.[33] On July 12, 2011, H.R. 2417 failed to pass by the required two-thirds majority in the U.S. House.[34]

For Canada:

Our move to CFL/energy efficient bulbs was to have taken place in January 2012, but has now been delayed until 2014:

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2011/201...l/reg1-eng.html

So it sounds like those of you in the US had better get stockpiling! Or do some cross-border shopping!

I'm not all that keen on a lot of CFLs - I really don't like the quality of the light that most of them produce. And I also have real issues with the fact that too many require time to come to full power. Some are so bad that it's like turning on a 10W incandescent at first. I'm hoping that LED lighting will improve - and come way down in price. At the moment, if we were to replace the halogen lights in our potlights with LEDs, they'd be $27 EACH. (I can get the halogens for $1 ea at the dollar store). Unfortunately, my Dad went nuts every time CFLs went on sale a few years ago and we're absolutely drowning in the darn things at the cottage. And most of them are the really nasty harsh bluish light/take forever to come to full power ones that were typical of the first CFLs. I flat out refuse to use them in any room I regularly inhabit! There are some better quality CFLs now (warmer color, more "instant on") - but you have to read the labels and be prepared to spend a little more in some cases.

As for CFL breakage issues, see the EPA guidelines & EU Health and Consumer Protection opinion paper:

http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html
http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_comm...scher_o_124.pdf

Disposal of CFLs in the US:

http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflrecycling.html#whererecycle

Disposal of CFLs in Canada:
Home Depot
Ikea
Rona Hardware
Toronto - drop off at the solid waste depots or Community Environment Days

More CFL recycling info for both US and Canada:

http://www.projectporchlight.com/content/cfl-recyclers

Frankly, I think we're creating a problem going to CFLs, since they do need to be treated as hazardous waste when they die. How much energy is saved when that is taken into consideration too? Has anyone figured that out? I'd be interested to find out!

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

Has anyone figured that out?

You're assigning way too much intelligence to our elected officials! If they were that smart, they'd be working real jobs! Both the Republican and Democrats decided long ago to simply "kick-the-can" down the road for our grand-children's grand-children. "Why think about the future when there is so much we can waste today?!" Unfortunately, I don't think we have as much time as they think we do to solve many of the problems they've created, much less, the ones they've ignored.    

There have already been runs on the local stores by people buying up the 100 watt bulbs. Just remember, who's your gas lantern supplier of choice?! (TS members get discounts, of course! :tip hat: )

[Highmac]

The 60W bulb: A luminary love affair from BBC News.

QUOTE

The death warrant of the conventional bulb was signed by EU leaders in 2007 to help meet climate change targets, but other countries have been thinking about it too. In New Zealand, a new government scrapped the ban in 2008, saying it was an example of the "nanny state philosophy".

But the US will start banning the traditional bulbs from the start of next year and a very vocal opponent is Howard Brandston, one of the most respected lighting experts in the world who was asked to redesign the lighting of the Statue of Liberty as part of the 1986 restoration.

Let's emigrate to New Zealand  

[jcarter]

QUOTE "You're assigning way too much intelligence to our elected officials! If they were that smart, they'd be working real jobs! Both the Republican and Democrats decided long ago to simply "kick-the-can" down the road for our grand-children's grand-children. "Why think about the future when there is so much we can waste today?!"  Unfortunately, I don't think we have as much time as they think we do to solve many of the problems they've created, much less, the ones they've ignored."

So TRUE!
Here is an example, our town put up a huge wind generator on the local AFB, and its miles from any dwelling. Then our town liked it, so they put up another one, but close to houses. Didnt do research on the noise and vibrations they make, and its driving the nearby homeowners crazy. The noise and vibrations at night are intolerable to sleep and live with.
And the town put another one up, which is not allowed to be turned on. No research, no forethought, wasted money, wasted time, and some very very unhappy people who have put their houses on the market. No they are not going to sell.
Why are politicians at all levels so darn stupid? Why dont they do their homework. CFL, on and on.

Anyway Im still looking at the first links where one says there isnt enuf mercury to bother, so just toss em into the garbage. Not going to do that, but its interesting that this was said.
Jane

[gunug]

QUOTE

The noise and vibrations at night are intolerable to sleep and live with.

We've got a smallish wind generator at the school I work at (35 foot mast, maybe 7 foot span on the props) and I'd rather have the noise it makes then the dog hotel and major traffic noises that I get normally at my house.  I realize that the bigger wind generators make more noise.

[Texas Mac Man]

The October 2011 issue of Consumer Reports has an article about LED & CFL bulbs. Thought I would pass on a few items from the article.

CFLs now have less mercury. The amount has dropped 60-75% compared with already low levels in 2008, without affecting performance. Most CFLs contained less than 1mg of mercury. The current Energy Star requirement in the US is less than 5mg. They should still be recycled.

Consumer Reports tested 9 60W-equivalent bulbs ranging in price from $1.50 to $10. The $10 bulb (GE Energy Smart 78961) was rated #1, but #2 (EcoSmart Soft White @ Home Depot, 1 rating point behind) is only $1.50. A $6 bulb was rated last with very poor performance.

Save your receipts & UPC codes. Since bulbs are supposed to last for years, you'll need these for returns.

LED lights are too expensive - $17 - $40, but costs are coming down.

As part of the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007, most screw-in bulbs have to use 27% less energy by 2014. 100W bulbs can no longer be made beginning in January 2012, but stores can sell remaining stock. The 60W bulb can be made until 2014. 3-way & candelabra bulbs aren't covered & can still be made. New halogen incandescent bulbs, costing about $1.50, meet the new standard.

[jcarter]

Thank you for this clarifying info.
Pretty soon the pols will create the kind of toilet paper we will have to use, what about toothpaste, its getting a bit invasive nowadays. Telling us what we have to do and use before anything has been properly researched.

[Paddy]

Actually, there is no law that says you can't make a 100W incandescent bulb. You just have to be able to make one that uses 27% less energy - and therein lies the problem. I don't think anyone has figured out how to do that yet; hence the CFL proliferation.

[jcarter]

Just bought a load of 100w incandescents, and replaced the CFLs that we had.  I really wasnt too much against them, till the power outage and finding that they got extremely and dangerously hot around the base. Thinking that if we had a low voltage problem if we werent home, and those bulbs were allowed to glow and heat up like that, it might not be funny. And I would advise people not to use them on timers, or to leave them on if nobody is home.
I might keep the one in our laundry in the cellar, as its only on if Im using the machines there. That one didnt fry for some reason, its a newer one anyway.