Omit Needless

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs by 2012 – or else!

December 19, 2007 by Lonny.

President Bush signed a new energy bill into law. FiveCentNickel has a pretty good summary here (although a bit critical).

The biggest change is that traditional incandescent bulbs will be outlawed, starting with 100 watt bulbs by 2010.

If you recall, I announced that I would switch my entire home to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s) in February of 2007. As of now, I’ve had all CFL’s for about 10 months. I have not replaced a single bulb since then. I used to replace at least one incandescent bulb per month.

The only places I do not have CFL’s are certain utility lights (the oven, refrigerator) and my nightstand lights which still use the expensive GE Reveal bulbs to minimize eye strain while reading. I don’t like to read for long periods of times under florescent lights. LED’s will probably be my choice for replacing those reading lights. I’ll have to see what kind of alternatives for utility bulbs come out, especially the oven.

I have noticed only a little break in savings – about $10 / month. However, not having to replace the bulbs, and knowing that their energy use costs 25% of incandescent bulbs is reassuring when I find that a hall light has been accidentally left on all night.

If you have been hesitating to convert to CFL’s, or if you are a right-wing extremist who thinks the whole thing is some environmental plot to make Al Gore the leader of the free world, I want to assure you that, at least as far as CFL’s go, my experience thus far has been excellent. I highly recommend you convert now.

Tags: bulbs, compact fluorescent, ecology, electricity, energy, environment, george w. bush, incandescents, laws, lightbulbs, money