PIK Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Do you use them and why? Quote Toronto, like a roach motel in the middle of a pretty living room.
guyser Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Do you use them and why? No USFL ones are better, but hard to find since the demise. Quote
Bonam Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Do you use them and why? No, I use LED light bulbs. They use even less energy and last much longer than CFLs, several decades under normal use. While I haven't had an LED light bulb for that long to verify that claim for myself, my mountaineering LED headlamp has been going strong for 4 years with none of the LEDs giving out or declining in performance, so I'd believe these things last basically forever. Edited February 3, 2011 by Bonam Quote
Wilber Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Have been but not entirely happy with them. They don't seem to last near as long as advertised. The ones enclosed in globes take a long time to reach maximum brightness and I have had several fail by starting to arc and melt the plastic base. No way I will leave one of these things on if I am out of the house. Then there is the mercury issue. Quote "Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC
PIK Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Posted February 3, 2011 Have been but not entirely happy with them. They don't seem to last near as long as advertised. The ones enclosed in globes take a long time to reach maximum brightness and I have had several fail by starting to arc and melt the plastic base. No way I will leave one of these things on if I am out of the house. Then there is the mercury issue. That is what I am getting at, you break one of these in your house ,you need a hazmat team to come in and clean.Suzuki should be in jail for pushing these onto people ,the guy is a scam artist. 60 parts to make one compared to 5 in the old style,which mainly came from america, now these all come from china, so who made the bigger footprint? And the old style will be ilegal at the and of this year I think. Quote Toronto, like a roach motel in the middle of a pretty living room.
Topaz Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 I've read if you break one, then get your kids out of the room because of the mercury that is in them. When cleaning up the bulb, you have to wear gloves and put it in a jar to go to the hazardous depot. I bought ONE bulb, I don't like it not enough light. I'm buying up as many regular light bulbs I can find. Quote
bloodyminded Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 I was willing to jump on the bandwagon and replace all my bulbs with these little bastards. Luckily, the controversy started to erupt before my procrastination was conquered. So, no. I don't have any. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
bloodyminded Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 You guys are behind the times~ You are not the first person to charge me with this--my daughter says the same thing. I have no doubt whatsoever that you are correct. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
Bonam Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) You are not the first person to charge me with this--my daughter says the same thing. I have no doubt whatsoever that you are correct. Haha yeah. How old is she? Back to lightbulbs... you should look into LED lights if you haven't already. Unlike CFLs, they contain no mercury or other hazardous materials and thus are inherently safe. They also operate at low temperatures and can even be touched with your hand while in operation without feeling hot and so are unlikely to cause fires, another bonus for safety. They are not mainstream yet and prices are still a bit high (coming down quickly) but from a technical perspective there really is no reason to be using any other kind of light sources except in special applications. LEDs are (and have for decades been) the most reliable and energy-efficient light sources. Since LEDs can sense light, not just emit it, some models also have the ability to detect ambient light and automatically turn themselves on and off as needed, depending on ambient light conditions. Edited February 3, 2011 by Bonam Quote
bloodyminded Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Haha yeah. How old is she? 23. Back to lightbulbs... you should look into LED lights if you haven't already. Unlike CFLs, they contain no mercury or other hazardous materials and thus are inherently safe. They also operate at low temperatures and can even be touched with your hand while in operation without feeling hot and so are unlikely to cause fires, another bonus for safety. They are not mainstream yet and prices are still a bit high (coming down quickly) but from a technical perspective there really is no reason to be using any other kind of light sources except in special applications. LEDs are (and have for decades been) the most reliable and energy-efficient light sources. Makes sense. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
bloodyminded Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Same as me A fine, fine age. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
The_Squid Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 No, and I won't be due to the mercury content. Plus I am not convinced that they are much more efficient in northerly climates, all things considered. higher wattage incandscents are now banned in BC (Liberal stupidity at its finest). I will shop for them online once they ban the 60W ones as well, as I don't use the brighter ones anyway... Quote
Bonam Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 No, and I won't be due to the mercury content. Plus I am not convinced that they are much more efficient in northerly climates, all things considered. higher wattage incandscents are now banned in BC (Liberal stupidity at its finest). I will shop for them online once they ban the 60W ones as well, as I don't use the brighter ones anyway... Even in "northerly climates", you don't need heating whenever you need lighting. In the summer, I certainly prefer lights that don't heat up my room. Heat is the one thing I can't stand, so incandescent lights waste far more energy in the summer since they mean I have to turn the AC up. As for banning.. that sounds stupid. You don't need to ban obsolete technology, it will lose market share over time all by itself. Sounds like a typical example of government overstepping its rightful bounds. Quote
fellowtraveller Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 does anybody know if 'rough service' bulbs are banned now? They were 60 or 100 watt incandescent bulbs with a very tough filament, meant for use in trouble lights(mechanics lights). You could drop them and they still worked, and were excellent for use on ouside lights near doors, where filaments get broken easily. Couylnd not find any at Superstore or Canadian Tire, wondered if they had been regulated out of existence. Quote The government should do something.
Wild Bill Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Just thought I'd add something from a techie standpoint about CFLs. Although they were pushed on us as a way to "save the planet" while saving money, that actually was a lie! You see, the amount of your electrical bill that came from lighting was always mice nuts compared to everything else in your house. What runs up the bill is electric heaters, stoves and anything with a motor in it. That includes refrigerators, furnace blowers and the like. Just one reasonably efficient laundry dryer in the typical family home would use as much electricity in a month as 111 one hundred watt old-style light bulbs, burning 24/7! Scale that for CFLs and you would have to have over 1000 of them constantly burning in your home to equal that dryer's consumption. I doubt if CFLs saved anyone enough money per month to buy a beer! LED bulbs have other advantages but they still won't save the typical homeowner any real money, except possibly a few bucks for not having to replace them as often. The person who saves is the government! Although the savings from more modern lighting are trivial to the homeowner they do add up when you include everybody on a provincial grid. The electric companies don't have to spend capital on new generating capacity, at least for a while and not as much. Of course, they will likely jack up their rates anyway, claiming that since people have successfully reduced their consumption they aren't paying the company as much money! We have already seen this here in Ontario, not just with electricity but with metered water. In effect, by being good citizens by buying CFLs, better home insulation and low-volume toilets and showerheads we've all screwed ourselves! Our government has shown us how we will be rewarded! There seems to be two things happening here. First off, decisions are being made to let us all participate in LOOKING green and not actually BEING green! Second, the people in government making these broad-brush, global decisions like banning old style bulbs in favour of CFLs really don't understand much of anything about electricity, power and how lights and appliances actually work. What else is new? Quote "A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." -- George Bernard Shaw "There is no point in being difficult when, with a little extra effort, you can be completely impossible."
Bonam Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Just thought I'd add something from a techie standpoint about CFLs. Although they were pushed on us as a way to "save the planet" while saving money, that actually was a lie! You see, the amount of your electrical bill that came from lighting was always mice nuts compared to everything else in your house. What runs up the bill is electric heaters, stoves and anything with a motor in it. That includes refrigerators, furnace blowers and the like. Just one reasonably efficient laundry dryer in the typical family home would use as much electricity in a month as 111 one hundred watt old-style light bulbs, burning 24/7! Scale that for CFLs and you would have to have over 1000 of them constantly burning in your home to equal that dryer's consumption. Yep, definitely true. Lighting is a minor expense compared to other household electricity usage, whether one uses incandescent, fluorescent, or LED bulbs. Savings with more efficient bulbs would typically be a few dollars or at most a few tens of dollars per month. The reason a big emphasis was placed on it, in my opinion, is that it's so easy of a way to save some energy. People go to a store and buy new bulbs to replace their old ones anyway. You don't have to do anything different or special to get the more efficient ones. Savings on heating costs by insulating your home can make a bigger impact on your electricity bill, but it is a huge undertaking. Buying new more efficient appliances is also a big deal. But replacing your bulb with the one from the next shelf over in the store, when your old bulb burns out anyway takes zero extra effort. Quote
Esq Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 (edited) Chances are you guys probably don't really even need light bulbs. It takes a little getting use to but artificial light actually causes stupidity or rather brain issues. --- 1. it leads to production of amygloidal deposits - this in turn can lead to alzheimers or brain deteriation 2. Artificial light contributes to screwed up circadian rythyms that can lead to cortisol increases - that leads to hippocampus degredation. Leading to memory problems. Expose yourself to as little artificial light as possible, it is good for your health. (get your sunshine though - vitamin d is good for you - there is that whole killer sun issue developing though) Really a flashlight or candle will probably be fine for 99% of your light requirements - when there isn't sunshine outside. Your eyes will even adjust to seeing better with less light. Edited February 4, 2011 by Esq Quote
Sir Bandelot Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 The mercury is a very serious problem, in particular if these bulbs become the main light source for millions of homes in Canada. Even with the implementation of a recycling program, some bulbs will be improperly discarded and it will lead to contamination. We saw what mercury did to Lake Ontario fish, for example. This reminds me of that time a few decades ago when grocery stores all switched from paper to plastic bags. Ordinary people (not government) were asking at the time what will happen in a few decades, when the landfills are full of plastic instead of biodegradable paper. Well here we are now. It didn't take a genius to figure that out. The short sightedness of our leadership (read: rich people's kids) is only concerned about solving the immediate problem now, for the minimum buck and let someone else deal with the problems this causes in the future. This probably has some connection to international commitments to reduce greenhouse gases, through energy conservation. And the concept of "banning" incandescent lights is absurd and another example of excessive government control. What next, a "black" market on incandescents, complete with fines or perhaps a prison sentence? Quote
Bonam Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 The mercury is a very serious problem, in particular if these bulbs become the main light source for millions of homes in Canada. Even with the implementation of a recycling program, some bulbs will be improperly discarded and it will lead to contamination. We saw what mercury did to Lake Ontario fish, for example. This reminds me of that time a few decades ago when grocery stores all switched from paper to plastic bags. Ordinary people (not government) were asking at the time what will happen in a few decades, when the landfills are full of plastic instead of biodegradable paper. Well here we are now. It didn't take a genius to figure that out. The short sightedness of our leadership (read: rich people's kids) is only concerned about solving the immediate problem now, for the minimum buck and let someone else deal with the problems this causes in the future. This probably has some connection to international commitments to reduce greenhouse gases, through energy conservation. And the concept of "banning" incandescent lights is absurd and another example of excessive government control. What next, a "black" market on incandescents, complete with fines or perhaps a prison sentence? There's really no point talking about the long term effects of CFLs since they are only a transitional technology which will be replaced by LEDs. Quote
Sir Bandelot Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 There's really no point talking about the long term effects of CFLs since they are only a transitional technology which will be replaced by LEDs. Mercury lasts a while. As of next year, your choice is to use an expensive LED with limited light output, or a cheaper and brighter CFL. Also, LED's are not completely non toxic as they like many optical semiconductors contain metals such as gallium arsenide. Other lighting options like the Halogens contain a gas that is destructive to the ozone layer. Seems there's no free ride. Quote
Battletoads Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 Nay, their more enviromentally costly and any energy savings are offput by increased heating bills. Quote "You can lead a Conservative to knowledge, but you can't make him think."
kimmy Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 The only incandescent bulbs in my home are the ones inside my stove and my fridge. I use CFL bulbs in my fixtures and lamps, and I use LED floodlights in some directional lighting swivels in my living room. I'm very pleased with all of it, and wouldn't go back to incandescent. I've had a grand total of 1 CFL bulb fail. It went dim after about 3 years of daily use, with no flames, explosions, or any of that sort of thing. Of course, I buy bulbs from a reputable manufacturer (Philips) rather than buying SUPER LUCKY Hong Wing Pow Brand bulbs from the dollar-store. -k Quote (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ Friendly forum facilitator! ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ)
Wilber Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 The only incandescent bulbs in my home are the ones inside my stove and my fridge. I use CFL bulbs in my fixtures and lamps, and I use LED floodlights in some directional lighting swivels in my living room. I'm very pleased with all of it, and wouldn't go back to incandescent. I've had a grand total of 1 CFL bulb fail. It went dim after about 3 years of daily use, with no flames, explosions, or any of that sort of thing. Of course, I buy bulbs from a reputable manufacturer (Philips) rather than buying SUPER LUCKY Hong Wing Pow Brand bulbs from the dollar-store. -k The bulbs I have had arcing problems with were Commercial Electric sold by Home Depot. I have also had Philips CFL's fail but not through arcing. Quote "Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC
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