Comments on: The Other Side of the Story http://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/ Encouraging heroes. You can be one too. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:05:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dianehttp://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/comment-page-1/#comment-635 Diane Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:49:39 +0000 http://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/#comment-635 I'm all for using low energy bulbs, but I still try to switch them off when we're not in the room. I'm surprised we've not been given special recycling bins for the bulbs, or banned from putting them in the general waste yet. I know the long tube lights have a special place at the tip so their nasty stuff isn't spread everywhere.They're a lot cheaper now thank goodness - you can pick two up for a pound at the right places. I’m all for using low energy bulbs, but I still try to switch them off when we’re not in the room. I’m surprised we’ve not been given special recycling bins for the bulbs, or banned from putting them in the general waste yet.
I know the long tube lights have a special place at the tip so their nasty stuff isn’t spread everywhere.

They’re a lot cheaper now thank goodness – you can pick two up for a pound at the right places.

]]> By: Links to Facts About CFLshttp://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/comment-page-1/#comment-623 Links to Facts About CFLs Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:49:47 +0000 http://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/#comment-623 [...] In my previous post I listed several facts about Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs).  I did not include links to [...] [...] In my previous post I listed several facts about Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs).  I did not include links to [...]

]]> By: Finding the Truth in the Information Onslaughthttp://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/comment-page-1/#comment-614 Finding the Truth in the Information Onslaught Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:57:29 +0000 http://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/#comment-614 [...] The Other Side of the Story, we talked about Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) and the fact that while there are terrific [...] [...] The Other Side of the Story, we talked about Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) and the fact that while there are terrific [...]

]]> By: Amyhttp://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/comment-page-1/#comment-611 Amy Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:41:41 +0000 http://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/#comment-611 @everyone: thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I enjoy reading them.@Rob: Lol. The lack of links was purposeful, and my follow-up to the argument will include them.Remember that the point isn't to bash CFLs, it's to emphasize the need to critically evaluate the information we are barraged with daily.For the record, I have CFLs in my home.I'd be interested you re-examining the numbers in your comments. If something is 7 times improved, and then 7 times again, then don't you have a 49 times improvement? Also, the bulbs here in the US are dramatically more expensive than incandescent.The rest I'll discuss in the next post. @everyone: thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I enjoy reading them.

@Rob: Lol. The lack of links was purposeful, and my follow-up to the argument will include them.

Remember that the point isn’t to bash CFLs, it’s to emphasize the need to critically evaluate the information we are barraged with daily.

For the record, I have CFLs in my home.

I’d be interested you re-examining the numbers in your comments. If something is 7 times improved, and then 7 times again, then don’t you have a 49 times improvement? Also, the bulbs here in the US are dramatically more expensive than incandescent.

The rest I’ll discuss in the next post.

]]> By: Robhttp://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/comment-page-1/#comment-606 Rob Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:36:04 +0000 http://www.earnestparenting.com/2008/01/16/the-other-side-of-the-story/#comment-606 You did not link to any references for this article and I have to take issue with you on a number of points. You are correct about the mercury, but fluorescent bulbs have been with us since the '60s in hospitals, schools, restaurants and many other places.The amount of mercury is miniscule too. If you research on toxicology you'll see you'd need to break dozens and dozens of bulbs to get an adverse effect. Although you are correct these bulbs therefore have to be correctly disposed of - and not simply trashed.On the other hand, an 8w CFL produces as much light as a 60w incandescent and last 7 times longer. The overall damage to the environment is 7 times less for materials and a further 7 times for energy use. That's 14 times better for the environment while, at the same time, saving you 6/7ths of your lighting bill and 6/7ths of your lightbulb (bill here in the UK these bulbs are only 50 pence - less than a dollar).Yes some CFLs do take a while to get bright - some only take about 5 seconds - it all depends on the make. Also would you prefer a bulb that gets dim at the end of it's life to one that just blows? That's how CFLs die - you replace them when they are too dark or flickery for use.New CFLs are now available for every type of light fitting. You just have to shop around. When incandescents are phased out, the old lines will be replaced with new ones suitable for all your existing fittings.I can guarantee you that if you replaced every lightbulb in your home for a cost of, say 25 pounds (less than $50) for 50 bulbs you would see your energy bill drop substantially. The only way it could go up is if you suddenly decided you could now have 5 TVS on instead of one or two - or something like that. You did not link to any references for this article and I have to take issue with you on a number of points. You are correct about the mercury, but fluorescent bulbs have been with us since the ’60s in hospitals, schools, restaurants and many other places.

The amount of mercury is miniscule too. If you research on toxicology you’ll see you’d need to break dozens and dozens of bulbs to get an adverse effect. Although you are correct these bulbs therefore have to be correctly disposed of – and not simply trashed.

On the other hand, an 8w CFL produces as much light as a 60w incandescent and last 7 times longer. The overall damage to the environment is 7 times less for materials and a further 7 times for energy use. That’s 14 times better for the environment while, at the same time, saving you 6/7ths of your lighting bill and 6/7ths of your lightbulb (bill here in the UK these bulbs are only 50 pence – less than a dollar).

Yes some CFLs do take a while to get bright – some only take about 5 seconds – it all depends on the make. Also would you prefer a bulb that gets dim at the end of it’s life to one that just blows? That’s how CFLs die – you replace them when they are too dark or flickery for use.

New CFLs are now available for every type of light fitting. You just have to shop around. When incandescents are phased out, the old lines will be replaced with new ones suitable for all your existing fittings.

I can guarantee you that if you replaced every lightbulb in your home for a cost of, say 25 pounds (less than $50) for 50 bulbs you would see your energy bill drop substantially. The only way it could go up is if you suddenly decided you could now have 5 TVS on instead of one or two – or something like that.

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