Going the way of the dodo bird

[freebird5825]

The incandescent light bulb may soon become extinct.

IKEA Pulls the Plug on All Incandescent Light Bulbs

The story of Thomas Alva Edison and the incandescent bulb is detailed here. Thomas Edison - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He was not the original inventor. I learned something new today.

[W2R]

Hmm!! I like incandescent bulbs, and my energy bills for this 1600 square foot house, including air conditioning in the heat of New Orleans summers, averaged $83/month last year. I'd sure like to continue using incandescent bulbs and I turn them off when not in use.

So, I looked up the legislation in Wikipedia, and found this little gem:

Quote:

Various specialty bulbs, including appliance bulbs, "rough service" bulbs, colored lights, plant lights, and 3-way bulbs, are exempt from these requirements as well as light bulbs currently less than 40 watts or more than 150 watts.

So let's see - - I could put my big lamps on 3-way bulbs, my small lamps on bulbs less than 40 watts, and other than that, make abundant use of colored lights, I suppose. I wonder if "rough service" bulbs include bulbs for ceiling fans.

[travelover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R .........I'd sure like to continue using incandescent bulbs and I turn them off when not in use...........

Not to worry. I replaced nearly all my incandescent bulbs and I have boxes of them to give away. I'm sure I'm not alone.

[harley]

Out of curiosity, anybody using alternative dimmable bulbs? We have mostly dimmable switches, and I like the flexibility. I tried some (supposedly) dimmable CFL, but they suck. Completely worthless. I haven't tried the LEDs or halogen. For the most part I dislike LED light quality, but I'm willing to try. As far as halogens, are they really that much more efficient than incandescents for the price difference? I guess I'll go stock up on incandescents, but after 10 years or so I'll have to make the switch. Maybe the technology will be better by then.

[Major Tom]

Here's one incandescent bulb that will never be changed for a CFL or LED:

Livermore's Centennial Light

[omni550]

I bought a bunch of CFL bulbs a few years ago. I HATE, HATE, HATE the greenish-tinged color of light that they throw off, so I switched back to CFLs.

From the IKEA article, I learned that only 14% of Americans, like me, are "very concerned" about the light color of CFLs.

I may have to go on a shopping spree and buy some cases of incandescent bulbs to tide me over for a while.

omni

[M Paquette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley Out of curiosity, anybody using alternative dimmable bulbs? We have mostly dimmable switches, and I like the flexibility. I tried some (supposedly) dimmable CFL, but they suck. Completely worthless. I haven't tried the LEDs or halogen. For the most part I dislike LED light quality, but I'm willing to try. As far as halogens, are they really that much more efficient than incandescents for the price difference? I guess I'll go stock up on incandescents, but after 10 years or so I'll have to make the switch. Maybe the technology will be better by then.

Our entire upstairs lighting is 'incandescent free'. All the fixed lights are halogen or pressurized xenon lamps, on dimmer circuits, and the various lamps, which don't dim, use CFL bulbs.

Halogen and xenon lamps are more efficient than the older incandescent bulbs, and are available with the standard Edison base and familiar bulb shape, if you need a bulb that matches a table lamp's harp or bulb-mounted shade. They're also in candelabra base bulbs.

[NW-Bound]

It's true that some CFLs have greenish lights. But the ones that work well, I cannot tell the difference from incandescent bulbs. But then, I may be either color-blind color-challenged or easy-minded.

[Major Tom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound It's true that some CFLs have greenish lights. But the ones that work well, I cannot tell the difference from incandescent bulbs. But then, I may be either color-blind color-challenged or easy-minded.

Agreed. Although my CFLs are not quite the same color temperature as incandescents, they are pretty close, and quite warm in color.

[donheff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley Out of curiosity, anybody using alternative dimmable bulbs? We have mostly dimmable switches, and I like the flexibility. I tried some (supposedly) dimmable CFL, but they suck. Completely worthless. I haven't tried the LEDs or halogen. For the most part I dislike LED light quality, but I'm willing to try. As far as halogens, are they really that much more efficient than incandescents for the price difference? I guess I'll go stock up on incandescents, but after 10 years or so I'll have to make the switch. Maybe the technology will be better by then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Paquette Our entire upstairs lighting is 'incandescent free'. All the fixed lights are halogen or pressurized xenon lamps, on dimmer circuits, and the various lamps, which don't dim, use CFL bulbs. Halogen and xenon lamps are more efficient than the older incandescent bulbs, and are available with the standard Edison base and familiar bulb shape, if you need a bulb that matches a table lamp's harp or bulb-mounted shade. They're also in candelabra base bulbs.

I will have to try some of those alternative lamps upsatirs in our reading lamps. I have ceiling floods in the kitchen and basement and have switched to dimmable florescents --- they suck big time. I tried regular florescents but they burned out in weeks (because of the dimmers I assume). At the rate they were burning out my carbon footprint must have skyrocketed and expenses were out of sight.

[happy2bretired]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Tom Agreed. Although my CFLs are not quite the same color temperature as incandescents, they are pretty close, and quite warm in color.

Mine too... I found that there are different hues. I bought some that had a very eerie glow to them, kinda like florescent tubes and a very cold feeling. But, I use the soft white ones and they throw off a nice warm light. I have them all over the house in recessed fixtures, lamps...everything. I have long ones and short ones for lamps. I buy mine at Sam's, Sylvania soft white.

[braumeister]

Almost all of our incandescent bulbs were replaced with CFLs about 5 years ago. Apart from a few defective ones, they have lasted at least several years, and most are still going strong.

The first ones we got had a very harsh light, which DW disliked. But the ones we've bought in the last few years have had a warmer, more natural light that is practically indistinguishable from the old incandescents.

We still have a couple of high intensity reading lamps, and the little bulbs in the garage door opener (probably what they mean by "rough usage" since they're vibration resistant).

Considering the greatly increased service life, I doubt if they're much more expensive in the long run.

[Major Tom]

Now when LED bulbs come down in price and are available in pleasing color temperatures, we will have hit the jackpot, IMHO.

[Orchidflower]

My mother had saved an original light bulb from when I have no idea, but you would not believe how thick the glass is on it. Must be 50X thicker than today's.


Lowe's told me last week when I went to buy bulbs that they are doing totally away with the old ones now. Be prepared if you love the old style and stock up NOW.

[omni550]

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy2bretired Mine too... I found that there are different hues. I bought some that had a very eerie glow to them, kinda like florescent tubes and a very cold feeling. But, I use the soft white ones and they throw off a nice warm light. I have them all over the house in recessed fixtures, lamps...everything. I have long ones and short ones for lamps. I buy mine at Sam's, Sylvania soft white.

I'm encouraged to hear that they've improved the color of CFLs. Do they still take a while to get to full brightness?

And does anyone have any input on how LEDs compare to incandescents (color-wise?) I'm assuming they go to full brightness immediately.

omni

[jimnjana]

wonder how much the price of light bulbs for fridges and ovens etc will go up?

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by omni550 I'm encouraged to hear that they've improved the color of CFLs. Do they still take a while to get to full brightness?

Mine take about a minute to ramp up. However, I heard there are new bulbs that cut that time down a lot. However, they are about 40% more than my "old ones"..........

[calmloki]

Skirting EU law: The rebranding of incandescent bulbs as 'Heat Balls' | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Hmmm. Used to go around the house shutting off lights in the summer and saying "little heaters" while doing so. This German is selling the feature.

[freebird5825]

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelover Not to worry. I replaced nearly all my incandescent bulbs and I have boxes of them to give away. I'm sure I'm not alone.

Hang onto 'em. They could become as valuable as Topps Bubble Gum baseball rookie cards or Beatles' metal lunch boxes.

[harley]

Or Beanie Babies!