Time To Change The Light Bulb?

A Growing Coalition Wants To Replace Standard Bulbs With Compact Fluorescents

(CBS)  Thomas Edison invented them more than 125 years ago, but some are saying it's about time to change the light bulb, CBS News correspondent Daniel Sieberg reports.

"A compact fluorescent light bulb uses only one-quarter of the electricity and lasts 10 times as long as one of these," says Brian Castelli of the Alliance To Save Energy, holding a standard incandescent bulb.

Castelli is part of a growing coalition that wants to ban the standard bulb and replace it with compact fluorescents, which come in various shapes and wattages. Advocates say the switch would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save electricity — and money.

"Not using this light bulb is like taking a dollar bill and throwing it out the window," Castelli says of compact fluorescents.

For example, one compact fluorescent costs about $3, while an incandescent costs less than a quarter. But over a year, if you bought a compact fluorescent, you'd save $39 on your electricity bill, for a bulb that lasts about five years. Even so, it's not an easy sell.

"I didn't want to buy a spiral because they look funny," one consumer says.

Some people might also be turned off by the glow from compact fluorescents. But retail giant Wal-Mart thinks the new bulbs are a bright idea.

"We have an effort right now to sell 100 million bulbs this year," says Wal-Mart store manager Tracy Ferschweiler.

The switch is cool in Hollywood: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio showed off compact fluorescents on "Oprah." And they're already catching on in Cuba, Venezuela and Australia.

As for the United States ...

"If everybody traded one light bulb, the impact would be like taking 1 million cars off the road for one year or the ability to light 7 million additional homes in the United States," Castelli says.

And that's how many people it takes to change a light bulb.

[r_schiff]

I think the option should be out there for people who do not want these "money saving" light bulbs. Money saving to who? The government, that's who. Us consumers are digging deeper into our pockets because we are paying more for the light bulb. I bought 4 of these light bulbs last year and the only thing they do is burn out, one of them shorted a circuit in my bedroom. I only have 1 of these light bulbs left, the other ones burned out in less than 1 year. I'm disqusted with these things. If you thik about it, the more I have to pay for these comes out to be the same amount i'm "saving" supposedly on my bill.

[kirk crawford]

When the wear out, how do get rid of them or recycle?
W. Kirk Crawford
Tularosa, New Mexico

[hawksprings]

Why doesn't the government ban heated pools and huge mansions like Mr. Gore has? Or the ownership of more than 2 houses?

If we're all going to die unless drastic measures are taken, lets go all the way.

[csnider50]

What you forgot to mention is that each of the compact fluorescent light bulbs on the market today contain mercury, and must be disposed of properly. This is information that consumers should be aware of. Most people just throw them in the trash like the old standard bulbs. While people maybe saving energy, they are polluting the ground and ground water with toxic mercury.

[musty2u]

CS, right on the mercury. In a couple years we are going to see a lot of mercury poisoning amonge our sanitation haulers. Somehow, I can't imagine our people saving these bulbs when not usable for special recycling. They are going to be just like all the little batteries that end up leaching away in our landfills. Yet, there might be a nickle or so deposit on a drink bottle in some states. Will some politician start wanting deposits on light bulbs?

[thgdriver]

I think they are great plenty of light and they last I Disagree with the 3 dollar price--Home Depot sells a package of six for nine bucks

They don't work with dimmers, that's on the package, they should also mention that they won't work with solid state timers ( no filament ) they work fine with manual timers though.

[scsmith5]

I'd like to challenge the claim these bulbs last 3-5 years longer then the current light bulbs. My experience is that they last about the same length of time. Another issue I have is that they do not put out as much light so I have to increase the wattage of the bulb in order to see in the dark. So much for saving money and energy.

[thgdriver]

The old lights have a tungsten filament that is also toxic, when you consider how often they burn out and how long the fluorescents last I think it balances out.

[hawksprings]

This is just something that makes Liberals feel good, but does nothing or almost nothing for the problem they are trying to solve.

Kind of like Algore buying "carbon credits" from the company he is chairman of.

[thgdriver]

scsmith5

I have two, one on either side, of my garage door they are on from dusk till midnight, then on again from five AM till day brake. Same bulbs over four years now. This is where I had a problem with my solid state timer (it would not keep time).

Two each, in all the bathroom fixtures (3 bathrooms) 3 years and counting.

Two in kitchen center lamp. We have recessed with floods also. 3 years and counting

Four in my storage shed. 4 years and counting.

Two in hallway to bedrooms ceiling light over two years now.

I have not had to replace any except one that was bad out of the box. (store gave me another)

Maybe you have an electrical surge problem.

[csnider50]

What you forgot to mention is that each of the compact fluorescent light bulbs on the market today contain mercury, and must be disposed of properly. This is information that consumers should be aware of. Most people just throw them in the trash like the old standard bulbs. While people maybe saving energy, they are polluting the ground and ground water with toxic mercury.
I have converted most of my light bulbs to the compact fluorescent kind; however, I agree with r_schiff that they do not last for 5 years.

[scsmith5]

tgdriver

I would agree with you if my experience was not based on multiple houses in vastly different parts of the state.

[csnider50]

What you forgot to mention is that each of the compact fluorescent light bulbs on the market today contain mercury, and must be disposed of properly. This is information that consumers should be aware of. Most people just throw them in the trash like the old standard bulbs. While people maybe saving energy, they are polluting the ground and ground water with toxic mercury.
I have converted most of my light bulbs to the compact fluorescent kind; however, I agree with r_schiff that they do not last for 5 years.

[nothappyatall]

If everybody traded one light bulb, the impact would be like taking 1 million cars off the road for one year or the ability to light 7 million additional homes in the United States,"

Only one thing, as the population continues to grow the "savings" will be negated and passed by adding that 7 million more homes and cars.

[cgeorge_1]

Actually the best way to is LED lighting fixtures, they burn one quarter of the electricity of fluorescent lights, burn about five times as long, produce light at 4000K and 7000K, white light, not green like fluorescent lights. There is a down side, they are expensive right now, but with a greater demand the prices will of course fall. So forget fluorescent lights, they're all coated with mercury anyway.Pay a little bit more and reduce your electric bill by about 75%.

[lafemdelamer]

People with Lupus CANNOT have fluorescent lighting in their homes. I have lupus and have been warned to stay out of those lights because they can cause life threatening flares. People who are suggesting this are being irresponsible. This is just another jump on the "let's be green bandwagon." Most of the people in the country with lupus are African American and Hispanic so of course, anything that can adversly affect us is being ignored.

[hoopiron]

I have them all over my house and they do not last. At first I returned to the manufacturer for a replacement, however, the cost to ship them back was almost as much as the cost of the replacement. I once read that lighting was roughly 20% of your electric bill-if that is the case, switching has increased my overall spending due to the expense of replacing the compact fluorescent when they fail prematurely.

[dbreitwe]

I prefer the clear bulbs they give out more light for sewing/reading. The frosted type bulbs like flourescent are not clear enough.

[ao7771]

These bulbs did not fit into my existing ceiling fixtures. When in tried one in a lamp, it changed the subtle color balance of my walls. Then I remembered, flourescent lights emit very large amounts of ultraviolet light (UV). They should be enclosed in fittings that absorb UV (usually plastic). Since UV light can cause skin cancer, has anyone assessed the risk of long-term exposure to the bulbs? I bet there are a lot of opinions, but no long-term studies.

[z07victoria1]

I have felt for years that suppliers must sholder more of the burden of conservation. They shouldn't offer three hot water tanks, air conditioners heat pumps etc. , good better and best, reagrding energy use. Offer only the most efficient model.

[hlt069]

Compact flourescents do last as long or longer as 5 years. I converted to a compact when they first came out and lasted 7 years before burning out. I changed most of my lights about 1 year after the first one was installed. I have only changed maybe 4 of the 12 bulbs we have in use in the last 5 years. Also, I point out that compacts are made that look like regular light bulbs and like flood lights(our kitchen and office lights are all recessed compact flood lights). People assume that compacts show off the same white light as long tube flourescents. You can get them in soft white so, they look exactly like the light bulbs you currently use. As far as people with Lupus are concerned it is with the color and brightness of light not, the source, that affects them according to doctors and people that I know that have it. Standard light bulbs that are not soft white can have the same effect.
Compact flourescents that are flood lights may not be available in every store. I do know that Super WalMarts and other large hardware stores like Lowe's, Menards, have them or can get them.

[barbaraf4]

As they burn out, we are beginning to replace our standard bulbs with the compact fluorescents.

It is too soon to know if they last longer; however, I can tell you they do not provide adequate light for reading or needlework. Also, they have to "warm up" for maximum light. We have them in our garage and on our back porch. During winter freezes, it took several minutes to provide any light.

[sero5]

People can be encouraged to change from incandescent bulbs to CFLs without the government slapping a ban on the old bulbs.
In California, low cost CFLs can be found with the PG&E label on the package.
I am sure somebody will come along with mercury-free CFLs.

[jebby_one]

I think maybe CBS has been spending too much time with Al Gore and has lost any sense of reality.

I have tried a few times to use these bulbs and they do NOT live up to expectation on longevity and brightness. Maybe they will improve, maybe not.

Cutting energy consumption and energy COST is great. Considering that household energy is purchased with after tax dolars, $1 saved on energy is $1.75 earned!

We drive a hybrid Prius and absolutely love it. We're even thinking of becoming a 2-Prius family. We routinely get 47 to 50 mpg and when possible I can 'milk it' and get 60 mpg

Oh, another problem with these efficient lightbulbs is the old slow-turn-on and flickering that's traditionally associated with florescent lights. It's especially annoying in places like bathrooms and closets where you traditionally expect reliable light for short duration.

We do, however, use the very low candlepower versions in places like the garage and outdoors where we just want a little light.

[rmsdm4]

Just what we need, the gov't telling us what light bulbs to use. Keep the gov't out of my house.

And to the person who wonders why there are so many choices on water heaters, dryers, etc...

ITS CALLED FREEDOM Deal with it

[mysticrhythm]

We have replaced every bulb in our home with these and they are fantastic. We have had an entirely positive experience with these and will never go back to incandescent by choice. Also they are much more economical now than when they first appeared on the market. We bought ours in threepacks at wallyworld for under 8 dollars. We just bought one or two packs a month until we converted all of them in the house.

[cnetjuapar2]

and what happens to all the mercury that comes out of this bulbs?

[cnetjuapar2]

and what happens to all the mercury that comes out of this bulbs?

[tomster1960]

I have tried most of the sizes of the cfl's and have found them to be ok if you up the wattage size from what you had. If you put a 60 cfl back where you had a 40incand. you will have about the same performance and still less energy use. In some areas where it is a little cool it takes a couple minutes for them to warm up to full brightness. I have already had one burn out after a week, but I think it was a fluke. My suggestion is to buy a couple packs of different sizes and move them around to different fixtures and play with them to see if they work for you before you do the whole house and save your receipt in case one is defective. Overall I have been satisfied and will swap out the whole house. Over the last three years, I've changed all my appliances and new heat and air and I'm saving about $25. per month on my electric bill.

[wisdomnorth]

You cannot blame Thomas Edison for inventing the standard light bulb because he didn't ..he bought the patent from two Canadians in Toronto .He slightly modified their invention and with the correct marketing skills made his mark in history . Sorry to dim Thomas's bright light ..lets hope that someday they will all burn out completely .

[processorr2]

Environmentalism is a liberal conspiracy.

[mitywhity]

Over the last three years, I've changed all my appliances and new heat and air and I'm saving about $25. per month on my electric bill.
Posted by tomster1960

Washer and Dryer - $800, Dishwasher - $400, Heating and AIR unit - $2500, Compact fluorescents - $100. You did all that to save $25 a month? You should have bought a "green" solar calculator FIRST! That's the problem with all this stuff. It costs more than it returns before it breaks down and needs to be replaced. You spent all that money to save $25 dollars, it will take you 12 and a half years to recoup that. You appliances won't last that long. The heat and air might - maybe.

[tellnmwell]

Ban the standard bulb?

I wouldn%u2019t want to be subjected to using CFL lights? Make them, by all means, but let us keep our choice of incandescent lights as well.

I think the lighting is dim and depressing...a poor psychological affect, not to mention the affect it has on the eyes. This cool blue hue isn%u2019t agreeable.

How did the light bulb suddenly become such huge culprit of energy consumption? Save energy and turn off the lights when not in use. And where%u2019s our choice? Yet another strand of freedom diminishing...This may seem small but we%u2019re slowly giving up our %u201Cfreedom%u201D people. Before you know it there will be mandates on everything, down to every facet of your domestic activity and product use.

[processorr2]

The environement is a liberal farce.

[michellem99-2009]

I live in an old apt building built in olden days. I tryed them light blubs that the story talked about and they wouldn't work. The wire is real old and we have to be careful/mindful of this. I live with a heart/diabetes roommate. We talked about an A/C unit. We know he can't have it.I have to brite light to help me as a leally blind person and it is used only when I need it.I use the computer and have small lamp to use when needed We do our part. I do like the extra day light. That does help. We do need to be good care takers of the earth as this our home.

[woodman95]

It's like a customer who insists on paying $300 for the same suit a tailor would sell to him for $200 - go figure?

CFL lights should be made mandatory by the government! If electricity users are not savvy enough to save money for themselves, to say nothing of the boost in ecological benefits, then we are forcing the government lead us by the hand.

Some say they don't like the blue hue, personally I hate the "gold/orange" hue of incandescents. Long before all this "save energy talk", I replaced most of our bulbs with "daylight corrected" bulbs which have a blue hue like daylight.

The gross inefficiency of the old incandescent bulbs is reason enough to make a wholesale change, now that there is a viable alternative. I suspect it's more a case of people being resistant to change of any sort, because of good ole stubborness.

[djp123zzz]

DON'T FORGET THAT YOU USE LESS
AIR CONDITIONING DEMAND TOO! SINCE INCANDESCENT BULBS PRODUCE 80 PERCENT MORE HEAT, THAT HEAT ULTIMATELY ADDS TO YOUR HOMES' AND BUSINESS' AIR CONDITIONER ELECTRICAL DEMAND.
THEREFORE, IF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS AIR CONDITIONER IS ONLY
50 PERCENT EFFICIENT, THEN ULTIMATELY YOU MAY
BE SAVING THREE TIMES THE WATTAGE SAVINGS AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ABOVE, IN THE SUMMER,
WHEN YOUR AIR CONDITIONER HAS TO REMOVE THAT INCANDESCENT HEAT ALSO.

ABSOLUTELY IT SHOULD BE A NATIONAL MANDATE TO
LOOSE ALMOST ALL THE INCANDESCENT BULBS.
I'VE ALREADY DONE THAT IN MY HOUSE, AND MY
ELECTRIC BILL WENT DOWN ALREADY, AND THE OFFICE ON THE SOUTH EXPOSURE IS MORE COMFORTABLE AT A LOWER THERMOSTAT COOLING SETTING FOR THOSE WARM DAYS WE HAVE JUST HAD.

I AM SAVING AS MUCH AS ONE KILOWATT OF DEMAND
WHEN UP TO 16 COMPACT FLORESCENT BULBS SAVE 38 WATTS OF HEAT EACH, ALL OF WHICH IS NOT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM!
I RECOMMEND EVERYONE AGGRESSIVELY REPLACE THOSE
INCANDESCENT BULBS IN YOUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

SINCERELY, DAN PETIT.

[ajaxrose1]

We've used these goofy new bulbs and they're too dim for regular use, so the only one we have is in an interior hallway. If my electricity costs me $3 instead of $1 that's my business. I'm sick to death of everyone on their particular bandwagon wanting to regulate and mandate us to death. Put your stupid lights in your house, be proud of yourself, and leave the rest of us alone!

[jessxo1]

the government needs to start asking if people WANT to do something like this instead of just deciding oh yeah we're gunna ban old light bulbs.. im starting to wonder why any immigrants would want to come to america anymore we went from being the greatest country to being the country with the most ridiculous rules..i'm gunna give it at least five years before the us starts banning something like getting pregnant without being married.. stop taking away our freedom its gettin ridiculous.. make people sign petitions for this stuff and if there are enough signatures then do it don't just ask world leaders ask the public we're what matter when it comes to these situations .. k thanks.
america needs its freedom back

[cdegolier]

I use the energy smart light bulbs wherever I can, but they burn out in a few months when I have used them outside and they can not be used in my garage door opener. So until they work absolutly everywhere and are efficent everywhere the incandescent should not be banned. Actually if shouldn't be banned at all if people do not want to save themselves money so be it.

[steveinnn]

I don't know who gives these prices on the new bulbs, but I've been able to buy four packs for under $8 at many big-box stores. I do believe they save money (and heating/cooling) vs. regular bulbs.

More people will buy the bulbs when the price goes down (which is exactly what I did). I do not find their light to be overly harsh or hard, and in fact I'm fairly happy with my "small investment".

[mysticrhythm]

These Bulbs Are fantastic, at least the GE brand bulbs we purchased were. We get 100 watts of great soft incandescent like light for only 24w actual use. You can't beat them. I am sure the price will keep going down also like everything else. In California and other energy stressed states, If every homeowner in the state used only 1 (one) of these bulbs per household, the energy saving would eliminate brownouts and rolling blacklouts entirely - unless caused by a nateral event. Those who are able to, should switch. your bill will go down, and the environment will be less stressed. Your children will thank you.
I live on a small fixed income , yet I was able to convert my whole home over , a few bulbs at a time over several months and we absolutely love them. They throw off way less heat (wasted energy) and we get the same amount of light we were accustomed to or more. They light up to full brighness in about 15-30 seconds. you get used to them very quick. We highly recommend them to all of our family and friends - give them a try!

[kaiyo4u]

What are you going to do with the CFL's when they burn out? The phosphorous in the bulb is excited with mercury in order to get the light you see. Gee, do I see another environmental castrophe in the making? Albeit, the mercury is a small amount, but when you start filling the land fills with millions of burn out bulbs, it will make an impact.... Does anyone ever think about the environmental consequences of a new product or are you just sheep being shlepped along by the media? Tungsten and inert gases don't mess with the environment as drastically as mercury and phosphorous does. Just think of your food supplies if these elements get into your watershed. We have to currently watch the amount of ocean fish we consume due to mercury levels, do you want to give up fish entirely? What does that do to the eco-system if the life there is too polluted?
Something to think about...

[tellnmwell]

My concern is a governmental mandate a ban on incandescent lights. They only account for small percent of energy use. Which one of the conservationist has a dishwasher? How about a ban on the following in your homes?

Dishwashers %u2013 do them by hand and let them air dry
Trash compacters %u2013 brown bag it in a trash bin
Microwaves %u2013 use grill or gas stove
Convections ovens %u2013 use grill or gas stove
Slow cookers %u2013 use grill or gas stove
Electric clocks %u2013 go back to windups
Hair dryers %u2013 let it air dry
Curing Irons %u2013 use rollers
Flat irons %u2013 use a do rag
Cordless phones %u2013 you know what to do
Cell phones %u2013 use the pay phone
Vacuums %u2013 get mop washable flooring
Pool pumps %u2013 swim in the lake or go to the rec

Hey, let get even more radical.

Dry Clean Only items %u2013 buy washables
Washing Machines %u2013 wear less and wash by hand
Clothes Dryers %u2013 hang them to dry
Rid all computer games and video games
AC%u2019s for the healthy %u2013 get to a public AC%u2019d building, use a fan or just sweat to cool

SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!!!

Actually, I%u2019m not against conserving energy, but let%u2019s get real about it. In order to make significant change, you will have to change much more than bulbs. But how would you feel about a governmental mandate on all of that?

kaiyo4u you can recycle fluorescent lamps just like anything else, you just have to educate everyone on that topic