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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 11:23:06 GMT
from BBC NewsA European Union ban on the manufacture and import of 100-watt and frosted incandescent light bulbs, in use since the 19th century, has come into force. They are being phased out to encourage the switch to more energy-efficient fluorescent or halogen lamps, which use up to 80% less electricity. Critics say the new bulbs are gloomy, and can trigger headaches and rashes in people with light sensitive disorders. The ban is one of a series of measures in the EU to tackle climate change. The less powerful clear bulbs will be progressively banned until all traditional bulbs disappear from shops across Europe in 2012. The new rules follow an agreement reached by the 27 EU governments last year. Some consumers have been stockpiling the old-style versions over concerns about the higher cost of the long-life bulbs, or for medical and sentimental reasons. Several nations including Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and the Philippines have also announced plans to phase out traditional bulbs.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 11:45:02 GMT
I just heard this on the radio this a.m. I am opposed to this measure for several reasons. I think people should be given the choice as to what type of light bulb they choose to use and that the government should not impose,infringe on that right. I also have read up on the pros and cons of both types of bulbs and have serious concerns about the potential risk factors of the new bulb especially because they contain mercury.I think more studies need to be done before the government jumps in and regulates. If this means my having to pay more money for electricity then so be it. The utility companies are already screwing us.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 12:45:55 GMT
Considering how much energy the United States likes to use, I know that the idea of reducing the energy bill by 80% would be a big shock. And obviously the filament light bulb lobby has had a field day with this to warn of the dangers of the new system.
The stores in Europe must take back all of the new bulbs for recycling when necessary, as it is illegal to throw them in the trash, same as batteries.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 12:54:42 GMT
And people trust that this will be done in a responsible fashion? I thought I was naive.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 13:04:56 GMT
You wouldn't believe how often the recycling bin of my apartment building is refused by the sanitation workers. They tape it shut and return it full to us with a note explaining why it was refused and to present it again with the proper items in it for the next pickup.
And France is nowhere as strict as Germany.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 1, 2009 14:41:22 GMT
That is interesting! I had no idea that the fluorescent bulbs were really that efficient, simply that they lasted much longer. A well-designed halogen lamp is a joy. The way it casts light means that every chair in a room doesn't need it's own reading lamp.
Some of the new style bulbs are gloomy, but not all of them. However, that does set up a reluctance to buy an expensive bulb that you may not like when you get it home. I have seen little room models in stores that allow you to flick on the lights in order to compare one kind of lighting to another.
I suppose some consumer resistance is because of initial price of the bulbs, which might come down with increased sales.
My own championing of fluorescence is based on the fact that it seems to give more light with fewer pools of shadow and no yellow cast to it. I do believe many people prefer that yellow cast, thinking of it as warm. However, lampshades are white inside in an attempt to increase the amount of light a conventional bulb sheds and to decrease the yellowness. People who like that "warm" tone could always paint the insides of their lampshades yellow or pink to force the new bulbs to cast the same glow as the incandescent ones.
I think that fluorescent light in a kitchen or any work place is an aid to safety, as the light is more uniform and you're unlikely to be casting a shadow on your work area.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 16:53:54 GMT
One of the ways to identify Chinatown in a lot of cities is that they will replace the lighting in the rooms with fluorescent tubes, yes, even in the living room -- because it saves so much money (and they probably like the way it looks ). In the Chinatown in the 13th arrondissement of Paris which is a forest of high rise apartment blocks, you can see exactly how many Chinese are living in the apartments by the number of apartments with fluorescent lighting, when you look up at them at night. I took inventory in my apartment and found that I have 3 incandescent bulbs left (not counting things that won't change like the refrigerator lamp) vs. 11 of the new bulbs. The majority are about 5 years old, and I have not replaced any yet. I am waiting for the remaining incandescent bulbs to burn out before completing the change, but I know that I shouldn't. I should just throw them away.
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Post by auntieannie on Sept 1, 2009 18:29:16 GMT
why should you just throw them away, K? I don't agree on that!
Casimira, what metal was used in the "old type" of bulbs? what quantities are we talking about?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 18:37:48 GMT
Because the energy waste is much worse than the cost of having made them. It's like getting rid of a polluting inefficient car that is still running -- better now than in six months!
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Post by patricklondon on Sept 1, 2009 19:56:23 GMT
These bulbs aren't like those harsh white ceiling-counted neon tubes. You can get them to an equivalent of 100-watt incandescents, though most of the free ones that have been given out as promotions over the last few years are 60-watt equivalent at best. But you could add more table lamps at the lower light level and still end up saving on the total wattage.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 20:05:30 GMT
Yes, they have made lots of progress in the presentation of the new bulbs. And since so many people were horrified by the fluorescent squiggles of the early bulbs (as in the photo above), most of them are now encased in a traditional frosted bulb case.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 1, 2009 20:13:13 GMT
This is the kind in all the ceilings in my house. Is that good?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 20:24:04 GMT
If you like them that way, that is fine. I myself am not particularly nostalgic for the bulb shape, but it does blend better with some of the traditional lamp shapes.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 1, 2009 22:12:09 GMT
I like them a great deal because they didn't cost me anything -- they were here when I moved in. You obviously don't know one of the most prominent negative features of Mexican houses. There are no ceiling fixtures! Seriously, almost every single house, no matter how nice, has ugly black double-twist cable with a black or dark brown socket dangling from the ceiling. This looks ever so nice with the bare bulbs. All the people I know from the US and Canada are on a constant quest for something acceptable for covering the ceiling lights. I got some hand-made paper shades from (Nepal, maybe?) a few years ago. Just took a picture of the one in the bedroom, remembering after I took it that this fixture has an incandescent bulb. Of the four lamps -- three table, one standing -- I'm using, two need the kind of bulb that supports the shade and one is a three-way.
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Post by hwinpp on Sept 3, 2009 9:38:54 GMT
I think it's the con of the year.
1. They contain mercury. 2. They don't emit the light they're supposed to. 3. They aren't as long lasting as they claim to be. 4. They don't save electricity because everybody leaves them on (because they save electricity...) 5. I'm infringed in my right to choose the light I want! 6. The EU shoved it down our throats! 7. My ex- brother in law has them in his house...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2009 9:57:13 GMT
I understand argument #7.
Anyway, the industry is already moving to the LED bulbs so the white squiggly ones will not last long.
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Post by hwinpp on Sept 3, 2009 10:05:48 GMT
Now those should be cheap and truly save electricity. There's been a small revolution in the travel accessories market that completely passed me by, that's how I know. I used to recommend getting a hardy maglite torch for trips to Asia, apparently I'm being laughed at behind my back. The thing to have now is a much smaller, much lighter, much brighter, much cheaper LED thingy...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2009 12:01:01 GMT
I think it's the con of the year. 1. They contain mercury. 2. They don't emit the light they're supposed to. 3. They aren't as long lasting as they claim to be. 4. They don't save electricity because everybody leaves them on ( because they save electricity...) 5. I'm infringed in my right to choose the light I want! 6. The EU shoved it down our throats! 7. My ex- brother in law has them in his house... Yeah hw! I believe it is a con. Have you seen the instructions for what to do when one of these things break in the home. I prefer mine in paisley. There's alot of really big money being made on all this. Talk about lobbying!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2009 14:47:40 GMT
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Post by fumobici on Sept 3, 2009 17:56:19 GMT
Looks like a fantastic opportunity for a little black market entrepreneurship.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2009 21:21:34 GMT
I think we're too late. There's a guy in our neighborhood who seems to have gotten a jump start on some grant money,he has thousands of these new bulbs which he has neighborhood kids dispensing for free to anyone who wants them. Mr.C and a friend have noticed his new car and various other new acquisitions since his new found entrepreneurial adventure into the green world. We missed the boat. Prior to this he was a drummer in a band.
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