Comments on: China To Phase Out Incandescent Light Bulbs

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:09:22 +0000

S.F. Williamson: CFLs provide basically the equivalent light output of the incandescents they are meant to replace. And the color of their light output can be matched closely to incandescents as well.

If you need a bright light, purchase a CFL that has a high lumen output. They are readily available, and you’ll find the bathroom with no problem.

By: S.F. Williamson

S.F. Williamson — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:23:59 +0000

Environmental comparisons be darned. At my age I need the help of incandescent lighting to look my best on those (rare) romantic evenings. Also on the age thing, I need about a 20,000 w bulb just to have enough light to find the bathroom. Listen up all you legislators, think I’m jesting? Wait ’till you’re my age. You’ll wish you had let the light bulb thing alone.

By: Nonein208

Nonein208 — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:48:43 +0000

The CFL’s don’t work during the winter cold snaps in northern USA. Imagine the savings.

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:21:25 +0000

CFLs are not a scam. They pay for themselves very quickly, especially with today’s low store prices. And they save energy – period. That’s an unbeatable combination: saving energy AND saving $. Furthermore, the 2007 comment by Andy is correct: using CFLs reduces the amount of mercury released into the environment, even if the CFLs are never recycled properly. So it’s really a win, win, win situation to switch to CFLs over incandescents.

Eric, Hanach, and gianmarko – I don’t know what you’ve been using, but my CFLs tend to last a very long time indeed – ten times longer than equivalent incandescents. I’ve measured thieir lifetimes vs. incandescents, so this number is a hard fact, not some uninformed estimate. And the light output is excellent.

Until LEDs come down enough in price, and come up enough in terms of light output and durability, CFLs are definitely the way to go.

By: gianmarko

gianmarko — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:37:58 +0000

as for those who claim reduction in electricity consumption, you must have hallucinations. the amount of energy used in an house for lighting is very small, perhaps 10% or less of the total, using CFL will reduce power consumption by some small amount, and probably wont even cover the higher cost of the device.
do some tests and see for yourself

By: gianmarko

gianmarko — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:36:11 +0000

CFL are a scam. they dont last nearly as much as advertised, in fact, they last less than a decent incandescent bulb because after some time the amount of light emitted is so pathetic they must be replaced, so overall they are a lot worse worse than IB, which until they die emit the same amount of light.
and the quality of the light emitted is also bad, requiring bulbs with wattage similar to that of a IB. in all apllications where lights are switched on only for short times (like a bathroom) they are utterly useless and even antieconomic, the continuois cycling kills them very quickly, so bad light, low light, and even short life.
IB banning is a ridicolous scam, and CFL are another scam too.
i have used CFL since they were available first, but their use is limited to applications where they are kept on almost continually, for the rest, they are truly useless.

By: Hanach

Hanach — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:37:50 +0000

What I don’t like is the fact that the useful life of compact flouros is greatly reduced if you turn them on for short periods of time. CFLs are good in rooms where you leave the lights on for long periods of time…but what about closets? Or my basement when I am just going down to get something out? I put an LED light in my basement so that I can get my bicycle out in the morning without turning on the main light.

By: Eric Youle

Eric Youle — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:28:31 +0000

I swapped over to Compact Flouros some years ago, but am largely phasing them out now. Firstly because the life is typically pathetic as is the light output. (not to mention the deplorable power factor and disposal problem).

I’m back yo using halogen bulbs plus as I can afford it LEDs. Its unlikely there is any real economic benefit in such choices but effectiveness, esthetics and convenience are really the issue.

By: Margie C.

Margie C. — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:59:43 +0000

Way to go ZZZ, you can show them who’s boss. Better stock up while you can! Personally, I think anyone who hasn’t switched is living in the dark ages. When I switched, my electric bill went down dramatically, thankyouverymuch.

By: ZZZ

ZZZ — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:02:17 +0000

I will rev my car at every stoplight in memory of the undemocratic way the authorities took away my incandescent light bulbs.