Gov. Kathleen Sebelius recently touted energy conservation as the easiest way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and called on state government to lead the way by adopting energy-saving features and practices in state buildings.
California, not surprisingly, is looking at even more ambitious energy conservation steps: One lawmaker has proposed a state ban by 2012 on the incandescent lightbulb in favor of compact fluorescent bulbs, which last 13 times longer and use only a quarter of the energy of conventional bulbs.
It sounds far-out, but in fact, compact bulb technology has become economical and gone mainstream: Wal-Mart has pledged to sell 100 million of them.
Consider that 20 percent of home-energy needs are for lights, and you see the possibilities.
This is an example of a ready-for-market new technology that could help reduce greenhouse emissions by reducing demand for old technology such as coal-fired plants.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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14 Comments
Ugh. Florescent lighting makes me look like the living dead :)
Most of my lighting is energy saving compact fluorescent.
I don’t know about banning incandescents though. That’s a little too much. They serve lighting purposes that fluorescents can’t sometimes.
For example, you cannot install fluorescents on a dimmer switch.
A side observation: Since I installed compact florescents in high-use/difficult-access locations – driveway/porch outside and hall/staris inside – I have noticed that they last MUCH longer than incandescents. Now I have not done calculations of cost and all that but I will definitely say that the labor savings in those applications more than outweigh any additional cost.
One thing outside – you can really see the problem with warm-up time when it is cold.
You can’t put the energy saver flourescents in enclosed fixtures either (I found that out the hard way)
But they really are much better than the other bulbs if you can replace them, do so. You won’t be sorry.
You can’t put the energy saver flourescents in enclosed fixtures either (I found that out the hard way)
But they really are much better than the other bulbs if you can replace them, do so. You won’t be sorry.
enclosed fixtures? I have them in enclosed ceiling lights in my hall and stairs; also enclosed fixtures driveway and porch.
The delay in starting up is annoying, and they certainly change the tint – ugh! My smarter, better half hates them. But I suspect that they are here to stay, and on balance, for the better. We’ll adjust.
I’ve had several that died prematurely or never worked right, however. I suppose they’ll get better and more reliable with time.
GMC, we’re once again in total agreement on all accounts reflected in your post.
I recently replaced the ones in my bathroom with the daylight type- next trip in there , I thought an alien had moved in.UGLY!!I nearly lost my concentration, with catastrophic (sp??) results!
Ben you’re not supposed to put them in there. Read the package. I blew the whole thing up in mine, and now can’t even use a regular bulb in that one.
CONSERVATION OF ELECTRICITY — So important to help our war effort. A little like collecting scrap metal during WWII.
This thread reminds me I need to reduce bulb wattage in my house, etc.
Must be hundreds of other ways to save electricity that would have an impact. What about office buildings, government buildings, shopping centers, automobile lights, etc., etc.
Of course, lights are used for security. But I am going to begin watching for lights that are not necessarily needed.
I think it said that as long as there was enough ventilation. I don’t know; been there for years now. These are not sealed fixtures, just enclosed.
The lamps now come in different “tints”, including soft white, and a pure white that’s supposed to be good for art and craft work.
Sealed/enclosed — they contain electonic parts (capacitors, etc) and heat WILL shorten their lifetime.
And they don’t last as long if turned on-off often.
Install zip strips to things like TVs, microwave, any sort of eletronics with a display that operates while the device is “off”.
Turn the zip strips off when the device is not in use shutting all power off.
Small savings but significant over time.
AND my oft quoted favorite. Shut off your engine when stopped at railroad crossings.