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Cost of Eco bulbs to rise

amazinggrace

Establishing Talker
PF Member
This sort of thing incenses me! This article explains how, in order to meet some arbitrary climate change target, the government are removing subsidies and the cost of these bulbs will treble. The EU have made it illegal to sell any other kind of bulb so this is a stealth tax on everyone!
 
It figures how people would like to profit off Eco bulbs with the assurance that energy-savers will be willing to pay the higher price. It's like recycling. You have to pay to get it started in the neighborhood when it is supposedly benefiting the planet. It makes no sense.
 
Thats great crappy eco bulbs that put out horrible light and is more unfriendly to the enviroment with mercury in it and people are going to have to pay to triple what you would for a regular bulb. Another big screw up for government. But me I have packed away enough bulbs for the rest of my life to have to never use one of those crappy eco bulbs ever.
 
That is all I use. I have the same bulbs from 8 years ago in most lamps. I just changed a bunch more over to them.

So I think I may have got my money out of them.
 
That is all I use. I have the same bulbs from 8 years ago in most lamps. I just changed a bunch more over to them.

Almost all my lamps are fluorescent, I still have a few normals and halogens, but I'll replace them too.

There's a tram line outside, and regular light bulbs break after a few months from the vibrations (in the apartment I lived before, there was a road with lots of traffic and the same problem).

Fluorescent lamps can last many years. And need only a fraction of the energy (like 5W and 8W as opposed to 40W and 60W).

One co-worker from Russia that I once had complained about the fluorescent lamps in offices everywhere in Germany, he said he could see them flicker! But he also was a Quake 3 guru, so ... ;)
 
One co-worker from Russia that I once had complained about the fluorescent lamps in offices everywhere in Germany, he said he could see them flicker! But he also was a Quake 3 guru, so ... ;)

That is a huge problem with fluorescent bulbs, they do flicker. Not usually to the naked eye though lol I find the CFL's to be less harsh on my eyes then the long tubes. I know they are the same but still :p

I am really looking forward to trying out some LED bulbs. Better [kind] of light, less power and lasts even longer.
 
When I managed the maint. department for large apartment complexes before I started my own business we had to switch to CFL bulbs because they would supposedly save us money. I was going through more bulbs than I ever did when I used incadescent bulbs. They dont last anywhere near as long in the real world with all the changes in the outside enviroment. With each complex having about 500 to 1000 bulbs it was a nightmare. And a pack of incadescent of four cost 69 cents compared to 3 dollars for one cfl and I was going through double amount of cfl bulbs making my budget shot to hell. And to top off the problem residents were complaining about the hallways being dark so I had to replace single cfl bulb fixtures with double cfl fixtures. So please tell me how this is saving anything when im now using the same amount of energy in the end. Spending more money. Buying more unfriendly bulbs to the enviroment with mercury in them. And the bulbs really dont last any longer. And none of this tech will ever be cheap as a incandescent bulbs. Make some glass with a fillament pull a vacum and your done. Sometimes dont mess with what works best.
 
That is all I use. I have the same bulbs from 8 years ago in most lamps. I just changed a bunch more over to them.

So I think I may have got my money out of them.
We've been using the same ones for years too, you can find a deal here and there for a pack or 3 or more for next to nothing per bulb. (buck a piece)
 
That is a huge problem with fluorescent bulbs, they do flicker. Not usually to the naked eye though lol I find the CFL's to be less harsh on my eyes then the long tubes. I know they are the same but still :p

I'm so used to CFL light (even in school in the 70ies and 80ies, we had only CFL, here it's used in all public buildings, and they began creeping into our homes as bathroom lights since the 50ies or so), I rarely notice any strain on the eyes.

I am really looking forward to trying out some LED bulbs. Better [kind] of light, less power and lasts even longer.

Yup, me too, LED and OLED could become an alternative to CFL, halogen and incandescent lights. I do have two LED bulbs, one to replace a halogen light with 5W, and another with 1W that was supposed to be a reading light. 5W is fairly bright, and makes a good spot light. But LED power consumption is slightly larger than that of CFL. Organic LED (OLED) could reduce the power consumption and be even brighter.
 
residents were complaining about the hallways being dark

You could try one of these:

Raster light suitable for computer screen work or schools: Raster light suitable for all rooms: Raster light:

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---------- Post added at 12:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 PM ----------

I am really looking forward to trying out some LED bulbs. Better [kind] of light, less power and lasts even longer.

Look at this:

LED / halogen combo light w/ remote control

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Those style wouldn't work back then. First problem is those are probably over 100 dollars a fixture. The ones they budgeted us for were 25 dollars and external mounted for outside hallways. They were those highest wattage u shape plug in style cfl bulbs around 8 inches long. They were fine if they right next to your door. But for high ceiling hallways or flood style fixtures they were just horrible. Anyways I don't have a problem if the owner wants to spend tens of thousands of dollars on that crap. What I have a problem with is when government takes away your choice. Personally I see a huge black market that going to happen when Americans haven't stocked up like me for icandescent bulbs. One way or another Americans are going to get what they want. Government couldn't stop prohibition. They are not going to stop this.
 
Personally I see a huge black market that going to happen when Americans haven't stocked up like me for icandescent bulbs.

Now I have a new story to tell people: In the USA, people are hoarding light bulbs! :D

---------- Post added at 03:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:32 AM ----------

BTW, why don't you go all the way and mourn the vacuum tube?? Another fine piece of technology from the olden days!

UNIVAC_I_Factronic.jpg
 
Laugh but I have a friend who uses modern version of the vacum tube for music. Says it gives a much better sound then todays higher tech versions. And I couldnt agree more from his and mine since I use a 40 year old receiver totally refurbished many years ago and I prefer the sound from mine then the newer stuff. And in my single days I spent countless thousands on audio equipment.

His is a nicer version but this is a example of what he uses. This one is pretty basic.

The Bella EXtreme 3205 Signature
The Bella EXtreme 3205 Signature ($1600) is rather conventional. It is a push pull pentode class AB design using a pair of 12AX7s as the input tube, and a pair of 12AT7s as the driver tube. It can use a variety of output tubes, depending on the end user's taste. Use either EL34 or KT77 output tubes for a rated output of 50 watts per channel. Use of the KT88 or 6550 output tube will generate 60 watts per channel. Not only do the different tubes affect the power output of the amplifier, but they will also determine the sound of the amplifier as well as each of the 4 tube types will sound distinctly different from one another. This allows the end user to use the tube that matches their taste, as well as their system, for best performance. Try that with a solid-state amplifier!

And my old receiver.
p270441394-3.jpg

Sometimes the old stuff just works better like the good old light bulb and all its variants.
 
I like vacuum tubes, too (but I can't afford them). They have a "warmer" sound b/c of their analog nature. I.e. a sine wine comes out as a sine wave. :)

In digital sound reproduction, it's not possible to create a true sine wave, it is always jagged, b/c of the D/A conversion delay (and the playback rate, of course).
 
BTW, if you really want to save the light bulb, and you're an entrepreneur, you should also collect plans on how to build your own light bulb factory (and also, vacuum tube factory, since there isn't any left in the Northern hemisphere), just in case ... because: Do you know how to make a light bulb? How to go about creating the right kind of vacuum, glass, and tungsten wire? And if people would want to purchase millions of light bulbs from you, would you know how to deliver them?
 
Not a clue. But to be honest a light bulb is not that complicated if America wanted to start making them again. And not all light bulbs are going to be stopped in production. The three way bulbs are still going to be made. Most floods are still going to be made. The specialty bulbs like the one that go under your microwaves are still going to be made. Mexico and South America is still going to make the ones you cant get here.
 
I read this article and i can't believe it. The comic on the article was hilarious but that is just what it might come down to.
 
And if you have ever read the cleanup procedures on how to cleanup a broken cfl bulb you would think it was another nuclear mess. Just another continuing example of government not thinking before it decides something is a good idea.

Before Cleanup





  • Have people and pets leave the room, and avoid the breakage area on the way
    out.
  • Open a window or door to the outdoors and leave the room for 5-10
    minutes.
  • Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning (H&AC) system,
    if you have one.
  • Collect materials you will need to clean up the broken bulb:
    • Stiff paper or cardboard
    • Sticky tape (e.g., duct tape)
    • Damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces)
    • Glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar) or a sealable plastic
      bag(s)
Cleanup Steps for Hard Surfaces





  • Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard
    and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass
    jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since
    a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the
    plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)
  • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass
    fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
  • Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place
    the towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
  • Vacuuming of hard surfaces during cleanup is not recommended unless broken
    glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken.
    [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread
    mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor, although available information on
    this problem is limited.] If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken


    glass, keep the following tips in mind:
    • Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
    • Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if
      available; and
    • Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the
      bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic
      bag.
  • Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum
    cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials


    can be disposed of properly.
    • Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in
      your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or
      unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic
    bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.
  • Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the
    H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours.
Cleanup Steps for Carpeting or Rugs





  • Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard
    and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass
    jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag
    will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from
    the home after cleanup.)
  • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass
    fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
  • Vacuuming of carpeting or rugs during cleanup is not recommended unless
    broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been
    taken. [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread
    mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor, although available information on
    this problem is limited.] If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken


    glass, keep the following tips in mind:
    • Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
    • Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if
      available, and
    • Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the
      bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic
      bag.
  • Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum
    cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials


    can be disposed of properly.
    • Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in
      your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or
      unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic
    bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.
  • Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the
    H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rugs: Air Out the Room
During and After Vacuuming





  • The next several times you vacuum the rug or carpet, shut off the H&AC
    system if you have one, close the doors to other rooms, and open a window or
    door to the outside before vacuuming. Change the vacuum bag after each use in
    this area.
  • After vacuuming is completed, keep the H&AC system shut off and the
    window or door to the outside open, as practical, for several hours.

Good old regular bulb breaks and get a broom and dust pan. DONE!
 
i read the first part and got tired. It looks as if you will need a PHD just to clean the mess up. lolol.
 
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