Bulbs first, flatscreens second, vacuum cleaners next?

[sclitheroe]

Regarding dimming CFL's, I"m pretty sure they only work with triac (analog) dimmers. I have digital dimmers that, as an example, smoothly raise and lower the light level, and they kill dimmable CFL's. I suspect its because they vary the duty cycle (ie. switch on and off very quickly), rather than vary the voltage, and the dimming circuitry in the CFL base can't handle that.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by photon

I made an argument?

You were implying that if we can't tell which is the CFL, then they are functionally the same as incandescents. Which isn't true, because even if they were rather different colours of light, they would look the same because of the exposure.

Either that, or it was a big non-sequitur.

[photon]

Originally Posted by SebC

You were implying that if we can't tell which is the CFL, then they are functionally the same as incandescents. Which isn't true, because even if they were rather different colours of light, they would look the same because of the exposure.

Either that, or it was a big non-sequitur.

My observation was that the colour was the same, and the picture was meant to represent what I see. I realize I'm not going to get an accurate colour temperature measurement with an iPhone, I didn't intend it as a scientific measurement I intended the picture as a bit tongue in cheek (hence the smiley).

But really, you can't tell the difference between the CFL and incandescent unless you look right into the bulb and see the internal shape.

I got some LED ones for my office, trying those now.

[4X4]

I'm going to come out and admit that I refuse to use CFLs because they're cold and ugly (the light...it's ugly). Someone said it felt like a hospital earlier. I agree. In my house, I like to be comfortable. I have no problem paying extra for that.
The only CFL in my house is in the utility room, and it's not doing much, since that light is only ever one for a minute here or there.
Sitting at the dinner table under CFLs? No thanks. Shaving in the bathroom under CFLs? No thanks. MAking dinner under CFLs? No thanks. Living room lamps with CFLs? No thanks. The hallway lit up like a hospital hallway? No thanks.
If incandescents get banned before there is a good alternative, I'm gonna horde them before they're gone. Saving ten, twenty, or even thirty bucks a month isn't worth it.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by ken0042

My problem (and I'm going to pick on you just as an example)- is that you have an issue with a couple of fixtures in your house. You then tell people you know "CFLs are bad- I had to switch back to regular bulbs." Those people hear the same thing from a couple of people, and never try CFLs themselves. Of course people like me don't say anything- it's a pretty boring story for me to talk about the $5 per month I'm saving on electricity.

No worries about picking on me in particular. I don't think CFLs are bad, especially, and I don't think I've said they are in this thread. For me, the potential savings don't outweigh the negatives/costs. That includes a zero contribution for the environmental benefits, which might be a negative externality I'm imposing on the world. I'd be perfectly happy to pay a tax on regular bulbs to compensate for that.

What I'm not at all in favour of is the government legislating this. All sorts of negative things are allowed, and I'm not convinced incandescent bulbs are a bigger negative than tobacco products or Ford Expeditions.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Daradon

I seriously don't get what the big problem is with using energy saving bulbs. And I have a sneaking suspicion the people who complain about them haven't bought one I a while if ever. There are many different kinds that give you different types of light. Soft light, warm light, bright light. And they do last quite a while. Perhaps there were problems with them years ago, but they seemed to be resolved now.

I am wondering if the "fear" has come from some of the warnings on the labels about practically requiring a Hazmat clean-up operation if you accidentally break one.

Personally, I played with so much mercury as a kid, my pores are probably so clogged up with the stuff that I can't absorb anymore.