Environmental Outlook: Light Bulbs
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-03-01/environmental-outlook-light-bulbs
The Clean Energy Act of 2007 requires general all-purpose bulbs to be about 25% more efficient than they are today. The myths and facts about what this will mean for consumers and the environment.
Guests
Jim Presswood
federal energy policy director, Natural Resources Defense Council
Kyle Pitsor
vice president, National Electrical Manufacturers Assn
Congressman Michael Burgess
Republican,Texas, 26th District
Oladele Ogunseitan
chair, department of population health and disease prevention, University of California, Irvine
Phil West
director, office of technology advancement and outreach, U.S. Energy Department
Comments
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I'm very concerned with environmental concerns and try to recycle almost everything. I use these light bulbs in most of my house. However, I cannot read by these bulbs, they are too dim even though they are the equivalent of an incandescent 100 watt bulb. Consequently, I use the old fashioned bulbs for my reading lights. What about those of us "at a certain age" that can't read by the light of the new CFL bulbs?
WHAT A LIAR!
At the same time the EPA lists 3 Pages of cleanup instructions, your guest says it is safe.
THIS IS DANGEROUS INFORMATION. You should call hiim on that!
My confusion with CFL's is that I had always heard that fluorescent bulbs used huge amounts of electricity to start but would illuminate at reduced electricity. If CFL's use large amounts to "start", we would need to change our habits of turning on-and-off as we do with incandescent bulbs to truly realize a savings. Is it still true that fluorescent bulbs use large amounts of electricity to start?
To your guests, Please do not compare the amount of mercury in a CFL to a mercury thermometer.
A mercury thermometer contains a lot of mercury, and is considered hazardous.
Also, the environmental problem with elemental mercury in the environment (your home) is that it will react chemically and form the more hazardous methyl-mercury (in your home). Oops......
As a Professor of Architecture for over 30 years I was engaged by NASA in the 1980's to lead design research study for the US Space Station Crew Quarters. There are significant health factors in the quality of artificial light. John Ott, creator of the "Grow Light" wrote two books, "Health & Light" & "The Effects of Light on Plants, Animals & People." He found a significant impact on the health & longevity of lab animals as a factor of the light source & frequency. He created the "Full Spectrum Light" in response to this research. It is the closest approximation of natural sunlight. It is not available as an incandescent.
what is cold cathode lighting, and is it economical for the homeowner
I used to replace my porch light bulbs about every 5 weeks or so. I started using compact flourescent bulbs in May of 2009 and I'm on my second bulb.
The only lamps I continue to use incandescent bulbs in are the ones where the shade clips to the bulb. All the others are still on their first or second CF bulb.
In some areas I alternate between both kinds of bulbs.
I have noticed no degradation in quality of light in the last 22 months. There are slight differences, though. The light from the CF bulbs seems a little yellower.
People just don't like change. That's all there is to it.
I'm 56 years old btw.
I have a few antique light fixtures that take standard lightbulbs. These fixtures eat CFLs! A CFL lasts about a month of regular use in these fixtures compared to 6 to 8 months for a standard incandescent.
Why would this be and what can I use instead to still be more energy effecient?
I am astounded that so many people here are privileging minimal personal comfort inconveniences over the drastic consequences farther along the electric chain in our country. Most of our electricity comes from coal. Even with today's plant regulations there are Americans who suffer greatly as a result. Perhaps the numbers are low but in my view even one person avoiding cancer or one of the other dreadful consequences is worth my waiting a second for bulb to come to full luminance or to deal with a light that doesn't do the best job flattering the pillows I chose to display on my sofa.
What about the total consumption of energy & resources required in the manufacturing of CFL & LED lamps compared to std. incandescent.
The major savings with CFLs/LEDs is the reduction in labor cost, or economic cost to change the bulb.
Incandescent bulbs typically last 1,000 hours. CFLs, for example, last 8 to 10,000 hours. There are 8,760 hours in a year. An incandescent Exit light bulb burning 24/7 would need to be replaced eight times per year. The CFL less than once per year. An LED would be replaced once every 10 or more years.
Changing a bulb takes about 20 minutes in all. That's about 2.5 hours for the Incandescent per year. The CFL would take on average less than 20 minutes per year.
This is not to mention the number of trips to replenish incandescents vs the others, waste disposal costs and energy for manufacturing and disposal.
Since these lamps can be recycled almost entirely, they are considered Universal Waste by EPA.
Please tell us what energy efficient light can replace a 75 watt
old fashioned light with warm light.
In my home I have several very old, very pretty lampshades that sit directly on the bulb. The new lights I have seen do not accomodate them. Will there be a design in the future that can? Also, although I have no problem with the Constitutionality.....I think that is just slippery slope talk.....I do like the "warmth" of incadescent bulbs.
Thank you.
What is the total energy efficiency of the CFLs vs. incandescent, i.e., how much energy does it take to make a CFL vs. and incandescent? There's a lot of electronics in the base of a CFL that reduces life and increases energy to manufacture....
In my Historic home, I use dimmers to save power useage. I need lots of light for reading and cleaning, but dim for normal use. The new CFL's cannot be dimmed, so I can't use them. I like the bulbs with quartz capsules because they render wallpaper colors well, an can be dimmed most of the time.
CFLs bulbs cannot be found in Candelabra base, or in appropriate scale or style for appropriate fixtures for 19th century homes.
And increases PG&E profits, no doubt.
Vu 1 corporation is about to introduce R30 floodlight type bulbs in the very near future using a new technology called Electron stimulated luminescence. The company hopes to have a replacement for the std A19 type bulb later this year. The bulbs are being introduced at a price of $20 which is about half of what an LED costs. They contain no mercury. They come to full brightness immediately. They are dimmable over a full range using standard hardware (dimmers). They last a long time.
The light operates using just under 20 watts. They produce a high quality full spectrum light. It is disappointing that none of the guests on the show appear to be aware of this new technology.
Diane has a great opportunity here for introspection. She has revealed that much of her (obvious) disdain for new, efficient lighting derives from an offhand remark some store clerk made to her. The entire panel spoke with one voice: "That's not true."
Imagine creating a huge network of uninformed store clerks -- let's call it "Fox News" -- and having them repeat hundreds of bits of disinformation, day after day, to millions of people.
Notice how little effort is required to make the public believe things that simply are not true. Imagine how uninformed and misinformed our nation is becoming... and how much harm that has already caused to all of us, and to America's future.
Diane would do well to consider: when someone with ~her~ intelligence and resources so easily missed the truth, we face far greater risks to America than a few rules about light bulbs.
Incandescent bulbs are NOT being banned. You can still buy them, and you will continue to be able to buy them. Just buy them and stop whining about the other bulbs. Have you seen the store shelves? They're chock-full of incandescent bulbs. My GOD. The Government-Boogyman isn't out to take away your light!
As always....great topic, great guest, great show! Thanks Diane. I leave informed.
So don't use CFLs. Nobody is forcing you too. Buy whatever bulb you want to buy.
Congressman Burgess' objection to these new, better light bulbs was silly and ill-informed. Sadly, I think Diane is not well-informed on the subject either. There is simply no valid excuse not to use them. The energy and money saved by these new products VASTLY outweighs any perceived product issues. The new bulbs are just as bright. They are dimmable. They are longer-lasting and they put out the same color of light. Some bulbs are better suited to different uses. I use outdoor CFL bulbs for outside lighting at my home. But I prefer compact incandescents inside. They turn on instantly at full brightness and are dimmable. Really, people. This is silly. It's probably the easiest, least painful way EVER to save energy and money.
Congressman Burgess' objection to these new, better light bulbs was silly and ill-informed. Sadly, I think Diane is not well-informed on the subject either. There is simply no valid excuse not to use them. The energy and money saved by these new products VASTLY outweighs any perceived product issues. The new bulbs are just as bright. They are dimmable. They are longer-lasting and they put out the same color of light. Some bulbs are better suited to different uses. I use outdoor CFL bulbs for outside lighting at my home. But I prefer compact incandescents inside. They turn on instantly at full brightness and are dimmable. Really, people. This is silly. It's probably the easiest, least painful way EVER to save energy and money.
All your guests keep saying these CFL bulbs and others last longer. I have not had a CFL last near as long as what the packaging says it will. I have been buying these since early on and I don't think they last much longer than the incandescent bulbs.
Another thing I heard over and over was how CFLs have less mercury than the old thermometer. They did away with the old style thermometer because of health concerns. Most families only had one of those in the home. You are now talking about putting a CFL in EVERY light in a house. That can really add up fast in one home not to mention thousands of homes. Asbestos was once recommended for use in homes, but now it is considered hazardous waste. In the futures are these CFLs going to be the same?
People dislike changing the products they use unless they experience them as being the same or better in all areas, including value, safety and price. Some of the arguments I heard this morning and read in the comments ring of the arguments used against hybrid/electric cars: difficulty in recycling, more expensive at the outset and "it's not what I'm used to!"
The one consumer education piece that comes across as essential to me now regarding the new laws about light bulbs is: "You Still Have a Choice!" Only when people experience firsthand that some of the new bulbs can indeed meet their needs as well or better than the old style incandescent ones will they gladly buy them. Same with electric cars: when manufacturers make affordable electric cars with batteries that can easily be recycled and that can drive 150 + miles without a charge, more of us will buy them!
I am a retired science teacher who is all for reducing our energy consumption by continuing to develop new technologies that meet our needs while using less energy! After replacing the lights in our home with CFLs and LEDs, I haven't had to shop for new light bulbs for over a year and we can see that our energy bill has gone down.
My life revolves around lighting. I have worked professionally with light in theatre, film, photography and many major theme parks for almost 10 years. I find the lighting lables to be inadequate and often misleading.
I think the labels should list:
Wattage
BTU's
Lumens
Color Temperature
For example wattage is not related to light output but to energy consumption (Watts=Volts x Amps). I had a space heater that gave off about 35 lumens but it used 1350 watts to produce that light. The same goes for incandecent vs. CFL vs. LED. If you get an equivalent lumen output for all three the incandecent will consume more energy and produce more heat than the CFL just as the CFL will consume more energy and produce more heat than the LED.
An actual color temperature for white lights should be listed too. "Cool" and "Warm" are not adequate to discribe broad ranges of the spectrum. "Cool" white could indicate anything from 4200K to 6500K (K=Kelvin) when what the consumer is really looking for is a light between 4200-4700K because most people percieve anything over 4700K as blue. I don't know anyone who wants to transition from our normal 3200-3700K incandecent "Warm" light outputs to the blue 5000+ range; its uncomfortable.
I have converted to the 'new' energy efficient bulbs. Unfortunately, I have had to replace a number of these new bulbs within three months of use. (I now take the non-functioning bulbs back and request a replacement. So far the merchants have replaced them.)
However, after listening to your show today, I became very concerned. The comments of needing to evacuate a room/house for 15 plus minutes after one is broken, was very disturbing.
My significant other is both blind and oxygen dependent. One of the large newly installed 150 watt equivalents (coil-style) had burned out after a couple of months. It had a small hole near the base. This was only observable after unscrewing the bulb. Obviously we were both exposed to whatever hazard presented itself.
Unfortunately, your show's guests did not address what should be done post exposure.
Also, in spite of replacing the bulbs and having an recent energy audit by our city's utility company, my current electric bill has gone up significantly. The utility company was unable to explain this increase. (I heat, cook and dry clothes with gas, not electricity.) They suggested it it was likely due to the newly installed 'smart meters.' Somehow I was at fault for "cheating" the system by paying my bills from the old meters for the past ten years. The City's "user owned" utility company obviously is a monopoly, so I can only pay up. Go figure!
My last concern is that I have about 80 or 90 "old style" unused bulbs. I searched online for somewhere to be able to recycle/donate them. THERE IS NO WAY TO RECYCLE OR DONATE THEM!
These bulbs are brand new in their original packaging! The utility company told me to return them to where I purchased them for a refund. (As if I still have receipts for these bulbs or even know where I purchased them!)
To throw them out is a terrible waste and violates my sensibilities.
Any suggestions?
I work for Philips and I know many of you are discussing CFLs and LEDs, but there is also a third option - energy-efficient incandescents known as Halogens. They look exactly the same as the incandescent (because they are), put out the same light, come in the same color options and wattage options, and work with your dimmers. A 100 watt halogen will use 72 watts and put out the same amount of light.
We have two different lines - Halogena and EcoVantage. With our EcoVantage line you can get a 2 pack for 2.99. You can find more information on them here:
http://www.lighting.philips.com/us_en/products/ecovantage/
You can find more information about the bulb options and the act here:
http://www.lightbulboptions.org/LightBulbs.html
or
www.energysavers.gov
I work for Philips and I know many of you are discussing CFLs and LEDs, but there is also a third option - energy-efficient incandescents known as Halogens. They look exactly the same as the incandescent (because they are), put out the same light, come in the same color options and wattage options, and work with your dimmers. A 100 watt halogen will use 72 watts and put out the same amount of light.
We have two different lines - Halogena and EcoVantage. With our EcoVantage line you can get a 2 pack for 2.99. You can find more information on them here:
http://www.lighting.philips.com/us_en/products/ecovantage/
You can find more information about the bulb options and the act here:
http://www.lightbulboptions.org/LightBulbs.html
or
www.energysavers.gov