5 comments

1. 1. Hewlett says on January 4th, 2008 at 5:36 pm:
   

   I forsee some problems with this requirement:

   Dimmers - the electronics that step up the voltage for a florescent bulb do not like the way that a dimmer modifies the AC voltage sinewave. Kevin can explain it better. How many regular citizens are going to know this, or read the label? I found some dimmable compact florescents online for $15 a piece. 3 way compact florescents are between $10 and $15 at the store.

   Outdoor and enclosed lights - compact florescent bulbs have labels that say “do not use outdoors or where exposed to moisture,” and “do not use in a completely enclosed fixture.” Incandescents don’t care.

   In both cases, a 5 to 10 year life can be shortened to a few months.

   Also, think about what happens when we throw these away. There’s some potentially hazardous stuff in those bulbs.

   I like compact florescents, but I’m not sure they, or even LED’s are capable of completely replacing incandescent bulbs. Maybe the kinks will be worked out in four years.

   This was a long post, sorry.

2. 2. Stefan Alsenmyr says on January 6th, 2008 at 1:34 pm:
   

   I forsee even greater problems with this requirement:

   Here in Sweden (Europe) we have a big hype around using these florecent lightbulbs and have had so for at least the last ten years. Last year one of the biggest electrical company gave out free florecent lightbulbs to all their customers.

   But they have at least two big problems, apart from the above mentioned, which is based on the florecent lightbuld technology.

   Florecebt bulbs are a capacitive load and they do consume more power than stated due to the reactive power. However normal household electrical meters does only measure “normal” power and thus the electrical companies are giving away free electricity.
   So far so good. The problem is that this reactive power is not wanted on the electrical grid. The electrical companies always aims the have a balance between normal power and reactive power. If the reactive power messes up the grid and the electrical companies have to take measurements to balance the net. (actually it’s the same problem with wind power).

   The other BIG problem is the high frequency noise with is emitted from florecent bulbs back to the grid and your wiring in your house. Appart from ruining your HiFi-stereo experience and disturbing other electrical appliences it will influence living things negatively. It is for example this high frequency noise that is belived to cause hypersensetivity to electricity.

3. 3. Rick says on January 15th, 2008 at 4:21 am:
   

   Additionally, the 5-10 year lifespan is a lie. I have used CF lights for a few years now and have found them to be only marginally longer lasting… I’ve had them go out in anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

4. 4. Cooper says on January 28th, 2008 at 11:20 pm:
   

   This will be a major problem.

   1. They are far more expensive

   2. Will not work with dimmers

   Its bad for the environment.

   3. Wow, talk about a step in the wrong direction, these contain high amounts of mercury, you are supposed to contact the EPA to dispose of them, and if you break one of them, you are supposed to call the EPA and they show up, (in bio-hazard suits) to clean and tent your house….. (dont belive me? Look at the label on fluorescents)

5. 5. CG says on February 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm:
   

   Has anyone heard about the lead and mecury found in these bulbs and what happens when regular bulbs are outlawed in 2012 and the only thing available are CFL’s? Read this article and I am sure there are many others our there.

   http://www.nbc5.com/target5/15188564/detail.html

   My $.02 worth and food for thought!