Comments on: post off: have you switched your bulbs?

By: shelterrific » Blog Archive » domino mag picks best eco bulbs

shelterrific » Blog Archive » domino mag picks best eco bulbs — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:00:55 +0000

[...] seems as if making the switch to eco-friendly bulbs is not as easy as it should be. In our recent Post Off many of you told us that the new green fluorescent bulbs cast such an unattractive glow, you [...]

By: George

George — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:54:23 +0000

Around 50/50 now, growing over time. I love them, but my wife does not. My priorities for installing these were for lights which tend to be left on for long periods (outdoors, garage, basement) or are hard to get to (stairwell). Then if the kids leave them on the financial impact isn’t as severe. The one in my front porch fixture is the first one I installed and I think it’s about five years old now.

Be sure to get outdoor versions of the bulbs for outdoor fixtures; the lights handle the low temperatures better.

As far as color temperature, I have put ‘daylight’ (5500k) bulbs in the fixtures where the quality of the light matters more (bedroom and aquariums).

By: shelterrific » Blog Archive » now that’s a green light: the chemical light from i-beam design

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:01:10 +0000

[...] lighting is a popular topic, and now New York Architecture firm I-Beam Design have taken things a step further with the [...]

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:00:31 +0000

It’s not completely accurate to say that no energy is saved when dimming an incandescent bulb. It’s less than one would expect (due to inefficiencies in the bulb and dimmer, and loss of heat) but electricity is still saved.

By: shelterrific » Blog Archive » five things we learned last week

shelterrific » Blog Archive » five things we learned last week — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:54:26 +0000

[...] 2. Energy-efficient light bulbs are still a hot topic. Our post-off on energy-saving bulbs continues to bring in interesting and helpful comments from readers like sustainability expert Michelle, who writes: “If you prefer a ’soft white’ light, look for a CFL with a color temperature of around 2700K. A lamp burning at a higher temp (around 4100K) will give you a ‘cool white.’” And adds, “Dimmable CFLs are now available and they are getting better everyday (though they are more expensive).” Thanks for the info! Check out more insightful comments and links from Michelle and others here. [...]

By: EC

EC — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:49:39 +0000

Of 15 bulbs in the house, 5 are still incandescent. Two of them are in a pair of lamps that, for reasons unknown to me, won’t accept a CFL, even one the right size. (And I have a broken CFL to prove it!) Two are in wall sconces that need extra-small bulbs. And one is in a very difficult to access bathroom light fixture that I want to replace anyway.

I’ve been using cream-colored and primrose-yellow lampshades to warm up CFL’s uncanny light, successfully. There’s also a huge difference between two ghastly CFL bulbs acquired 18 months ago and the warmer ones I bought six months ago. I moved the icky ones to the guest room and the laundry room.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:30:51 +0000

I should’ve mentioned that you can visit this site for a great summary of everything you need to know about CFLs: http://www.eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:27:53 +0000

This type of thing is what I DO (I’m a sustainability specialist), so I actually know quite a bit about it…

The “color” of light that many people dislike is related to the color “temperature” the lamp (CFL = compact fluorescent LAMP even though we usually say “bulb”) burns at. If you prefer a “soft white” light, look for a CFL with a color temperature of around 2700K. A lamp burning at a higher temp (around 4100K) will give you a “cool white.”

Dimmable CFLs are now available and they are getting better everyday (though they are more expensive). Never put a regular CFL in a dimmable socket because it’ll burn out ultra-quick. (FYI — when you dim an incandescent, you don’t actually save any energy!)

With regard to mercury: although there is a small amount of mercury in a CFL, that amount is FAR offset by the amount of mercury that you’re avoiding emitting by using less energy (coal-fired power plants emit lots and lots of it). So even if you (accidentally, of course) threw the CFL in the trash, you’re still making less of a negative impact. Still, it’s best to dispose of your CFLs (10 years from now when they evenutally burn out) at a hazardous waste collection. Check out http://www.earth911.org to find out how to recycle anything anywhere.

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:26:54 +0000

I’ve been concerned about the mercury for quite awhile and can’t believe they are now “REQUIRING” us to quit incandescents and switch! I don’t like the dental office white light, the long delay in coming on and time to get fully bright, and I can’t afford the expensive things! Who in the government is going to pay for my new bulbs??? Tired of government telling me what I can and cannot use/own. I like the daylight or “chromalux” bulbs…..or like the GE Reveal bulbs, incandescent but more like natural sunlight, not too yellow and not cold like flourescent bulbs.
Husband doesn’t like their light either, so removed the ones inside we had and are only using them on outside light-sensor controlled porch light. The bright light is ok out there, and makes it easy to see lock when coming home at night, but hate it for inside. AND I have so many health issues already, I don’t need a potential mercury exposure too! LOL!

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:29:53 +0000

Has anyone had problems with CFLs outdoors? We have three over our porch but two have burned out in less than a year (with only slight use for about three to four hours a night). Our old outdoor bulbs lasted much longer.