Let There Be Light.
 

Hilary Benn has declared that by 2011 all normal old fashioned hot filament light bulbs will be extinct in the UK having been replaced by the new fangled energy saving light bulbs. Thus saving us some 5 million tons of CO2 per year. Or was that 5 billion? (My short term memory is getting worse)

I have no argument with the claim that the LE bulbs use less electricity than the hot filament counterpart because I have proved it with a simple experiment at home. And a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb last about ten times longer than an incandescent type. So they are cost effective to buy and use even if the light isn’t quite as bright.

What bothers me is the cost of the disposal of the LE bulbs.

As I understand it these LE bulbs, like the fluorescent tubes, are coated with phosphor on the inside of the glass and filled with argon and a small bit of mercury. I also understand that you cannot just chuck a fluorescent tube on the tip – it has to be disposed of by a specialist disposal company.

I wonder what the carbon footprint is for that activity and has it been taken into account by all those people advocating that the LE bulbs are the saviour of the planet - at least in part.

Or are we being led up the garden path?

Re: Let There Be Light.
 

Or are we being led up the garden path?

Was the pun intended ? :)

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I've just recently had to change two, I just whizzed them in the bin didn't know you had to dispose of them in any other way, certainly dont think its common knowledge if you do.

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Lampman started a thread about this in March - named 'new bulbs'

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read the original thread. I believe there is no mercury in them anymore. argon by its very nature is inert, phospor is a natural occurring element as well and not dangerous.

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there ARE low energy candle bulbs now - only size you cant get are pygmy
Energy Saving Light Bulbs

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Just because something is a natural element doesn’t make it safe entwisi. Uranium is a natural element so would you like some of that in your pocket?

The phosphorous coating inside fluorescent tubes can cause skin problems and then there is the mercury. That’s why fluorescent tubes should not be just chucked on the tip or broken up to fit in the bin.

See http://www.owr.ehnr.state.nc.us/ref/38/37032.htm

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Recently my thoughtful brother brought me a pack of these new energy saving bulbs .. whilst I appreciate the thought and, yes, am concerned about the planet, the white light is very stark, isn't it ? Reminds me of institutional corridors .. sorry bros. have had to revert back to soft tones.

Not only did they look like curly fry chips, but was informed will not work on dimmer switches.

Now I love my dimmer switches, and the romantic settings that they provide :D so until they present me with the aesthetics that 'hot filament' bulbs give me, will give them a miss ta very much.

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Who said romance was dead?:D

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I have copied this-

See energy saving bulbs in a new light
In your mind's eye think of an energy saving bulb, is it bulky and oddly shaped? Maybe giving off a cold, harsh light?

If so, be prepared to think again. There are now more good reasons than ever to buy energy saving lightbulbs. Here are some of the best.

Advances in technology mean that energy saving lightbulbs are now available in a wide variety of fittings, shapes and sizes.

Like standard bulbs, they come in all shapes and sizes
These range from stick shaped bulbs candle shaped varieties, with small or medium screw and bayonet fittings.

The choice really is yours. Nowadays, there are even halogen and dimmable energy saving bulbs on the market.

And thanks to the invention of 'soft tone' bulbs, you can enjoy a warm glow rather than a cold light.

from here
Lightbulbs & fittings - energy efficient lights - Energy Saving Trust

Re: Let There Be Light.
 

yep and 95% are made in China , maybe three plants in Europe and one in North America , what happens when the Chinese switch off the supply .....we will all be sat in the dark ..........World Trade and Globalization ..........bah humbug ;) ;)

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There is no doubt that the energy saving light bulb has come a long way since the first one shone on the world.

But I would like to know how much energy and CO2 has it taken to do all the research and experiments to get to today’s level?

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Ok .. thanks for that Margaret .. will reserve my judgement for a while.

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More piffle from the "man-made global warming" fanatics. Just one more step on the road to no choice conformity.

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Dunno' Bernie, which Google Page Ranking*tt did say that ? :D

Sorry Jambutty, no knowledge to join in your technical questions .. just how most people will view them .. Do they save you money ? and Do they look Ok ? My reason for not wanting them at the moment is the latter, I'm afraid. . no, 'not afraid' (sounds like an apology) .. :rolleyes:

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Not those words exactly but you did say you liked the romantic settings that your dimmer switches provided:D Thought maybe you were keeping a secret:D

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Bit confused but, yes, do like the romantic settings they provide and, no secrets at all, meant for deffo' the 'romantic' in the true sense of the word. ;)
Nowt wrong with that, is there ? even at my time in life.. :D:D

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That is another point that seems to have been ignored.

If the whole nation goes energy conscious and use nothing but these energy saving light bulbs (which is being forced on us by 2011) the energy companies are going to sell less electricity.
Selling less electricity means less income.
Less income means less profit.
Less profit means increase in cost of electricity to maintain the profit margins for the fats cats and shareholders.

Result we, as usual, pay more.

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Nothing at all wrong with that Kate:D

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Good point Jambutty, but will they not save on providing more 'outlets' for lesser demand ? Providing plants, etc., is always the biggest capital outlay.

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Er! Don’t you mean fewer outlets for lesser demand.

The energy companies could maintain the Status Quo (no air guitars, please) by closing down a power station or two and save on the running costs. Workers made redundant.

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That bothers you? Dont you have anything else to worry about?

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LOL .. yes, apologies, I did mean 'fewer' outlets .. or did I mean 'more' outlets for 'increasing' demand ? Anyway, you did understood what I meant thank you.

Not sure if it would entail closing down any present power stations .. demand is still increasing in other areas such as growing population and technology advances (as us on our computers tonight), so reckon these bulbs will only have a levelling effect.

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Not at the moment.

What would you suggest?

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Trust you to throw in a Red Herring .... :D

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More new rules from the nanny state.

Instead of banning ordinary lightbulbs, why don't they take VAT off the energy efficent ones, which would encourage more people to use them, but afford people the choice.

I prefer the old fashioned bulbs, and therefore will begin store piling them for the future.

Re: Let There Be Light.
 

Kate -for a truly romantic light you need candles - natural beeswax with cotton wicks and containing only essential oils.
Gary - energy saving bulbs last much , much longer so work out less expensive anyway

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Or even better a man!:D

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Feel like this is going off thread a little ... and all my fault ... no, not my fault, just how I feel about the 'normal' bulbs I guess, and that is important, n'est pas ?

Have loads of candles Margaret .. trouble is, just had downstairs decorated and the smoke marks they left on me wallpaper wasn't very econimical. Garinda: Cannot possible imagine what you meant by the use of candles/man. :rolleyes: Ok, now lowering the tone .. tell me tomorrow.

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Natural beeswax candles dont give off smoke - paraffin ones do

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Oh OK, that's the best conversation stopper to date. Hope you coming tomorrow too Margaret .. would be great to see you again... xx Sorry Jambutty.

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Greater demand from other sources, more income/profit.

Wonderful!

Oops! Billions of LE bulb’s, less demand, less income/profit.

Must maintain profit margins.

I know increase prices.

That’s better! Profit margins back to above their normal.

Fat cats buy new motor launch/Porche/holiday home.

Sorry for being such a cynic but the energy companies are past masters at increasing prices and making it seem like the increase is less than it really is, until you sit down and do the maths that is. But how many people can actually work out their bill before it arrives?

This getting off the topic a bit but do you know how, for example, Powergen works out how many units are charged at the Primary rate? You won’t find the answer on your bill. I found out by ringing Powergen and asking. For electricity it is 900 units in a year. That is 2.47 units per day or 226 units for a 92 days quarter. Other suppliers have different figures.

And the electricity Primary rate is very nearly twice the Secondary rate.

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If you are on a tariff that charges more for the 'first batch' of leccy, you will not be paying a 'standing charge'.
A standing charge is the company's way of charging you for maintenance of supply lines and when they abolish the standing charge they recoup it by charging more for the initial supply of units used.

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What and destroy the industry that makes the darned things.

Now if you will excuse me for a few minutes I have this rather scrumptious looking Chocolate Brownie, that leapt off the shelf at Asda and landed in my trolley, to sample.

Mmmmmmmmmm! Delicious!

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What!!!! Take VAT off. Are you trying to give GB an apoplectic fit?

Good idea though.

Somebody remind me again how the government is not interfering in our daily lives.

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Gogs is going to need all the pennies he can lay his hands on. Though on the other hand he might order Digbat Darling next door to can some stealth taxes to win the election when he calls it. :eek:

Re: Let There Be Light.
 

Elecrician's motto, many hands make light work,