What do you think about the ban on light bulbs

[tinkerdorabelle]

Another really great link to those that discredit saving our planet. http://www.storyofstuff.com/
And to those that do not believe the experts, please look at this scientist, I think you cannot deny his expertise: http://www.spaceandmotion.com/enviro...al-warming.htm

 

[Octoberbride03]

Respectfully snipped.

I had this same debate with someone at my work about the recycling bins. The guy is NOT an environmentalist in any way, shape, or form. He made it sound like it was the end of the world to have to toss a plastic bottle in a separate trash can (keep in mind the cans are NEXT TO EACH OTHER!). He went on and on about that, "global warming crap." I looked at him and said, "It's okay if you don't believe in global warming, but those bottles are actually getting recycled into playground equipment, park benches, and other things."

People don't realize that it's not just about a singular issue, nor is it that hard to make changes in your own life. Since we switched to CFL's (and even a couple LED's), our electric bill has been noticeably lower. To me, that's a good thing!

I wouldn't call myself an environmentalist either but this is a nice sane point. We finally started recycling this yr. Why? Because our city FINALLY made it easy to do so and provided nice big recycling bins the same size as the trash can they provide us. Up till a few months ago it was if you want to recycle you need to drop it off I don't have time to do that. I have time to throw it in the can in my yard though.

And I don't believe in "Global warming" either. I simply believe that earth and its climate are in a constant state of change or flux warm or cold. Yet I'm all for conserving resources and energy for a million other reasons. Though the biggest 1 is my pocketbook. CFL's per se haven't really saved on our electric bill noticeably. The laminate floor we put in last yr OTH has really decreased our heating and AC costs. It won't be long before the floor has paid for itself.

And for the lightbulb ban in 2014, I won't mind seeing them go either. As long as the LEDs are on the market, because those are the bulbs I really want in the house. The light they give is SOOO much easier on my eyes.

 

[bicker]

The list of debunked man made global warming theories grows almost daily. The "evidence" is falling apart, piece by piece.

Yet the evidence regarding mercury emissions and energy consumption in general, placing CFLs decidedly better than incandescent bulbs remains unassailed.

 

[Colleen27]

The list of debunked man made global warming theories grows almost daily. The "evidence" is falling apart, piece by piece.

So what, though? Is global warming the only reason for conservation?

 

[moburg]

So what, though? Is global warming the only reason for conservation?

No it isn't, but it is a reason given by those who support the ban.

 

[holycow]

And so your logic is that they must therefore always be wrong? That's silly.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

All the back and forth aside.

I have changed all my christmas light to LED's, my electric bill was about 25% of what it would have been during the time I ran my christmas decorations.

We had the CFL's for a bit and didn't like them. The only light we have like that is DW's OTT light in her sewing room.

I have replaced a lot of my "regular" bulbs with the LED soft white ones, and have also seen a downturn in my electric bill.

Don't really care about global warming stories, or global cooling stories, or global static stories! Or who is supressing what.

it just saves me money....

so I can buy more RUM!

 

[Katie Dawn]

Re-posting to ask again if anyone has a link (preferably from the government) that announces these changes. (not just the light bulbs, but the others mentioned too... like changes to washing machines)

I'm not having any luck finding it on the web... but maybe I'm not searching the right terms?

Thanks!

 

[Katie Dawn]

And to answer my own question (of course, as soon as I say I CAN'T find the info, then I definitely WILL find the info)

This is from Energy Star's website... (not the government, but pretty darn official)
http://energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/energystar.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=4913

Question
I hear CFLs will be required by 2012. Is that true?

Answer
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (the “Energy Bill”), signed by the President on December 18, 2007 requires all light bulbs use 30% less energy than today’s incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The phase-out will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. By 2020, a Tier 2 would become effective which requires all bulbs to be at least 70% more efficient (effectively equal to today’s CFLs).

It’s not entirely correct to say "CFLs will be required" or “incandescents will be phased out” because the standards set by the bill are technology neutral, and by 2012, a next generation of incandescent bulbs could satisfy the 30% increased efficiency. There are also other lighting technologies, such as halogen and LEDs that will be able to meet the new requirements and are expected to both increase in performance and drop in cost over the next few years.

Lighting is approximately 20% of the average household’s energy bill. NRDC estimates this law could cut our nation’s electric bill by more than $10 billion a year.

There are many types of incandescent bulbs that are exempt from this law:
--any kind of specialty light (ie. bulb in refrigerator)
--reflector bulbs
--3-way bulbs
--candelabras
--globes
--shatter resistant
--vibration service
--rough service
--colored bulbs (i.e. "party bulbs")
--bug lights
--plant lights

The law applies to the sale of bulbs, not the use of existing stock of bulbs.



Now I'm on the hunt for the other stuff... Wish me luck.

 

[dis-happy]

Re-posting to ask again if anyone has a link (preferably from the government) that announces these changes. (not just the light bulbs, but the others mentioned too... like changes to washing machines)
I'm not having any luck finding it on the web... but maybe I'm not searching the right terms?

Thanks!

I rec'd my information on this by someone who works in the industry and I have seen incidental referrals in different articles. CA passed a law but it looks like it's possibly on hold for now (court challenge). However, I have noticed that the newer machines no longer have a setting for water levels...new technology has the machines weigh the loads and decide how much water to use and they're all designed to use less water. The ones that are energy star rated use half the old amount of water.

Washing machines are going the way of toilets and shower heads.



http://legalplanet.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/red-letter-day-for-washing-machines/

 

[ChrisFL]

And to answer my own question (of course, as soon as I say I CAN'T find the info, then I definitely WILL find the info)

This is from Energy Star's website... (not the government, but pretty darn official)
http://energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/energystar.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=4913

Question
I hear CFLs will be required by 2012. Is that true?

Answer
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (the “Energy Bill”), signed by the President on December 18, 2007 requires all light bulbs use 30% less energy than today’s incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The phase-out will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. By 2020, a Tier 2 would become effective which requires all bulbs to be at least 70% more efficient (effectively equal to today’s CFLs).

It’s not entirely correct to say "CFLs will be required" or “incandescents will be phased out” because the standards set by the bill are technology neutral, and by 2012, a next generation of incandescent bulbs could satisfy the 30% increased efficiency. There are also other lighting technologies, such as halogen and LEDs that will be able to meet the new requirements and are expected to both increase in performance and drop in cost over the next few years.

Lighting is approximately 20% of the average household’s energy bill. NRDC estimates this law could cut our nation’s electric bill by more than $10 billion a year.

There are many types of incandescent bulbs that are exempt from this law:
--any kind of specialty light (ie. bulb in refrigerator)
--reflector bulbs
--3-way bulbs
--candelabras
--globes
--shatter resistant
--vibration service
--rough service
--colored bulbs (i.e. "party bulbs")
--bug lights
--plant lights

The law applies to the sale of bulbs, not the use of existing stock of bulbs.



Now I'm on the hunt for the other stuff... Wish me luck.

Wait, you mean the government isn't going to come to everyon'e house and confiscate their light bulbs, like some are suggesting?

I'm shocked.

 

[bicker]

Washing machines are going the way of toilets and shower heads.

Thanks for the info, and the reminder (with regard to how we've already done for toilets and shower heads what we're going to be doing with regard to light bulbs) that our society has long-held that when individuals in society fail to voluntarily refrain from irresponsible actions, that government has an obligation to either apply taxes on, or place limitations on, interstate commerce, in order to effect changes in the marketplace to reduce the incidence of irresponsible actions.

 

[Aisling]

They're right about this. They are. They're not projecting (like in the case of global warming). They have real data. Proof. Evidence. What do the detractors have except their own personal preference? Nothing.

I was under the assumption that it was the improper disposal of the mercury bulbs that was the problem, not in the usage. Perhaps a mandatory disposal system would solve the problem. I know that paint cans and car batteries can't be put out with regular trash, under penalty of fines. If we had light bulb receptacle bags to throw our bulbs in, wouldn't that solve the problem and still give people the choice of which bulbs to use?

I have to say that using the newer bullbs does save money on my electric bill, so I like that part!

 

[DawnCt1]

I was under the assumption that it was the improper disposal of the mercury bulbs that was the problem, not in the usage. Perhaps a mandatory disposal system would solve the problem. I know that paint cans and car batteries can't be put out with regular trash, under penalty of fines. If we had light bulb receptacle bags to throw our bulbs in, wouldn't that solve the problem and still give people the choice of which bulbs to use?

I have to say that using the newer bullbs does save money on my electric bill, so I like that part!

I use them as well, in most of the lights that remain on for a greater part of the day. There are a few places where I just do not like them however and therefore do not use them. I want the choice.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks for the info, and the reminder (with regard to how we've already done for toilets and shower heads what we're going to be doing with regard to light bulbs) that our society has long-held that when individuals in society fail to voluntarily refrain from irresponsible actions, that government has an obligation to either apply taxes on, or place limitations on, interstate commerce, in order to effect changes in the marketplace to reduce the incidence of irresponsible actions.

With regard to the low water use toilets; they often consume more water because they often require two flushes.

 

[bicker]

I was under the assumption that it was the improper disposal of the mercury bulbs that was the problem, not in the usage.

Perhaps you missed the earlier part of the discussion. The problem with incandescent bulbs is that they use so much additional energy that they cause more mercury emissions (for example) than improper disposal of CFLs. So even if people do fail to recycle CFLs, and just throw them away, they are still better for the environment than incandescent bulbs.

Perhaps a mandatory disposal system would solve the problem.

I think that would be good, but it isn't the issue.

 

[bicker]

With regard to the low water use toilets; they often consume more water because they often require two flushes.

However, they use less water overall, on average. It's like anything else: A change that is three steps forward and one step back is still two steps forward.

 

[Aisling]

Bicker, how would you feel if the government mandated everyone to have all electric lights off for an hour a day, their choice what hour, to save energy?

 

[bicker]

Bicker, how would you feel if the government mandated everyone to have all electric lights off for an hour a day, their choice what hour, to save energy?

That's a little like asking how I would feel if the Ukraine petitioned the United States to become the 51st state. Put the situation in context and perhaps it'll be worth considering. Are we experiencing random black-outs because there isn't enough capacity in the system, and therefore hospitals are losing power without any notice whatsoever, and these hours each day you talk about would resolve that problem? Or have babies started exhibiting diseases directly traceable to toxins in the air attributable to excessive power consumption? In context, I would feel that it is the best move.

The point I've been making is that your own personal preference not to be a contributor to making our society better isn't important enough to trump what is actually better for society. Focus on that.

 

[Aisling]

Ok, to be fair, here's the context:

We're experiencing no energy usage emergencies. The government has decided that a mandated hourly electrical turn-off will teach conservation awareness to the people.