Do you like fluorescent lamps

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Light+bulb+doubts+remain/4192608/story.html
Light-bulb ban doubts remain


Times ColonistJanuary 30, 2011


The provincial government might have thought it had seen the light when it decided to ban incandescent bulbs, but some British Columbians are taking a dim view of the restrictions.

The ban's first stage, which took effect Jan. 1, applies to 75-and 100-watt bulbs. It's expected the prohibition will soon extend to 40-and 60-watt bulbs.
The objective -to save energy -is admirable.
Traditional incandescent bulbs are hugely inefficient, as much of the electricity they burn produces heat, not light.
Compact fluorescent lamps, which employ a curled, gas-filled tube, require far less power. Installing CFLs could reduce the average home lighting bill by 75 per cent.

However, this new technology has problems of its own. CFLs are expensive and can't be used in some light fixtures.
They can take several minutes to reach full illumination. And there might be problems with dimmers.
Perhaps these are merely startup problems, which later versions will address.
But more serious concerns are emerging that don't appear to have been fully considered.
The first concerns energy savings.
It's true that incandescent bulbs generate heat.
But in cold climates like Canada's, that's actually beneficial. The Vancouver Sun's Craig McInnes reported that a study by B.C. Hydro notes that if incandescent bulbs are replaced with CFLs, the lost heat will have to be replaced by other means.
That will actually mean a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
The second emerging concern is health-related. CFLs contain mercury vapour, which is highly toxic.
When a CFL bulb is broken, the mercury spills out, as a gas which can be inhaled and in small droplets (mercury is a liquid at room temperature).
A study by the state of Maine found breaking one CFL bulb releases more than 300 times the maximum safe amount of mercury into the surrounding atmosphere.
The danger is particularly acute close to ground level, where it poses a risk to small children and pets.
Worse, the study found that mercury contamination is extremely difficult to remove.
Dangerous levels remained even after the spill site had been cleaned and no residue could be seen.
The study's authors were uncertain whether contaminated carpets could ever be cleansed sufficiently to remain in use.
To combat these hazards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued strict guidelines for handling broken CFLs.
You can read the entire procedure at epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html.
But the main points indicate the seriousness of the problem.
People are instructed to shut off fans and air conditioners and have all people and pets leave the room for 10 minutes.
You can't use a vacuum cleaner, because that would spread contamination.
Instead, you're to scoop up fragments with a piece of cardboard and seal them inside a glass jar.
Garbage bags aren't safe; mercury vapour can penetrate the plastic.
If a carpet is contaminated, you're supposed to pick up fragments with duct tape.
You're to wash your hands thoroughly and leave windows open for several hours after cleaning up.
And broken or spent CFLs must be disposed of at a recycling site. (The Hartland landfill in Saanich has a depot.)
At a minimum, these formidable procedures raise questions of whether CFLs in their present form are safe for households or if we should wait for an improved technology.
With the federal government committed to a nationwide ban on incandescent bulbs in 2012, the matter is urgent.
As it stands, this has all the feel of a rushed and potentially dangerous decision.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

[Wayne B. Wilson]

As technology progress so will energy bulbs, I start using the Mini florescent Bulbs back in the late 80's Roy. The company i worked for gave us a free rein too try many things. I had a work center that used at least 50 high pressure sodium lights we replaced them with the 30 watt mini Florescent and added motion sensors , We also added a few windows ( this was Inside Parking for 60 or more trucks ) . We a few other other additions to the building Power consumption dropped so much the Utility company came in and change the meter twice , We deregulation hit the utility company bought the building to house their vehicles .
When i Left i heard they were showing as a energy saving Building.
If they stifle Progress No one will take the initiative to save energy.

I used non conventional ideas in a commercial Building. Everyone laughed at first .
Motion sensor for lighting and bathroom fans
Occupancy sensors for heating and cooling Office space ( found in Motel rooms Now)
Occupancy sensors for lighting
Solar powered Lights above outside doors Motion sensor controlled
Led bulbs installed in exit lighting . anyway back then it was all available but no one used it , A few years later DDC controls came in .

DDC is to expensive for Most home use , As the smart Home people found out . But this will Change too .
Sorry i got rambling But i feel Incandescent lights will be a thing of the past as the Mini florescent light will be . I feel LED will be the future , Long and the short if they do not force the end of something people will continue to use the old and not try the new.

[Curtis M. Vilt]

Roy, NO I DONT.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

LOVE' EM!! Except for some early, poorly designed CFL's to replace 75 watt spotlights, I have had great success with them.....just replaced the first regular one a few weeks ago after 4-5 years since installation.

My carriage-style front door lights used to have incandescent bulbs which would break at least 2-3 times/year when a drop or two of wind-driven rain dripped onto the bulbs while lit and HOT; CFL's have been installed for 4-5 years with no replacements!!

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

I have no use for them , I heat my home with Electricity so in the cool time of the year I would save nothing with them.

I tried them do not like the light had three burn out and they could have started a fire if we had not been home .

I like all the Incandescent I can buy at yard sales for $1.00 a box as people get caught up in the Twisty lights .

Summer we use very little lighting the sun does most of it for us.

I do like them in my Green house as they do run cooler for starting my Flowers .

I also by the Twisty bulbs for $1.00 a box from people who are disapointed in them

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv...fl-afc-eng.php

http://www.epa.gov/hg/spills/

http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeown...eakcleanup.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4170752AAvGHET

[Curtis M. Vilt]

Beside the crummy light etc...it exports more jobs to China and another factory is closed. LED if made in the USA will be fine

[George A. H. Luck]

Don't like them either. I find that they do not last as long and the light is very harsh. I agree that the L.E.D. light is the future.

[Curtis M. Vilt]

Should I change my comment to this Continent not the USA

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by cvilt

Should I change my comment to this Continent not the USA

You better.....you guys are supposed to be "brothers"!

[Curtis M. Vilt]

I have visited several times my Grandparents are from the Northwoods. I considered moving there several times but for the cold. Sometimes I feel like I did in the winter with all the visitors.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Roy the problem is you buying cheap ones. Just get getting a cheap home inspector you get what you pay for.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by cvilt

Beside the crummy light etc...it exports more jobs to China and another factory is closed. LED if made in the USA will be fine

It does not bother most Canadians ,
We are only 10% of the USA and we both are each others biggest trading partners.
Unfortunately most wounds are self inflicted .
TVs , cell phones and many other things are no longer Manufactured here .
It is getting more and more a world economy .
If we make it to hard here then the Manufactures will continue to move around .
Our Countries are still much better off then most others .

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by wwilson3

Roy the problem is you buying cheap ones. Just get getting a cheap home inspector you get what you pay for.

No two out of the 3 bad lamps cost over $8;00 each .
Years ago when I was an apprentice electrician.
My Brother said you can never afford to buy cheap tools they always cost more the the best ones .
To this day I always try to buy the best and it usually pays off.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Originally Posted by rcooke

No two out of the 3 bad lamps cost over $8;00 each .
Years ago when I was an apprentice electrician.
My Brother said you can never afford to buy cheap tools they always cost more the the best ones .
To this day I always try to buy the best and it usually pays off.

LOL Roy i belive you i was Kinda kidding you .

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by wwilson3

LOL Roy i belive you i was Kinda kidding you .

Those silly little twisy Lights are sure loved by my Plants.
Have about 100 different garden plants started soon to be 200 .