Are you using the new compact flourescent bulbs at home? They are touted as being so energy efficient that we should all use them, but have you seen the clean-up regulations, if you should happen to break one? That's some scary stuff, people!
I have about 10 of them so far. Everytime one of our old bulbs burns out, I try to replace it with a new cfl. I don't really like the amount of light they put out, but I might not have the right output intensity for the job.
DO check out the warnings about what kind of fixtures they shouldn't be used in. No one tells you these things before you buy!
I found the main info here.
23 comments:
Be sure you get the right color temperature bulb too - some don't even approach natural light.
We do use them in fixtures that get left on a lot, but prefer the warmer incandescents for the bathroom and to read (I hate the green look first thing in the morning - LOL).
Thanks for the links! I have a few of these, but still haven't really figured it out yet. The Evil Twin was grousing about the danger (mercury?) in them. Another new thang.... :-)
I can remember happily playing with mercury that came from a broken thermometer. I don't know if I had any problems afterwards. Apparently there are guardian angels that watch over foolish young children.
I have these light bulbe in my kitchen, living room, bathroom and two bedrooms. The ones in the kitchen have been there for fourteen months, now, and they stay on pretty much all day. Love 'em!
We do the same thing...replace them as they blow. i don't like having to wait for them to brighten up in the bathroom.
Oh my! I certainly hadn't seen those clean up rules yet.
Thanks for the info!
I need to do that Judy...thanks for the gentle reminder! ;)
Like Brenda, we always played with mercury when I was a kid. In fact, I recall that in a physics lab in college, I dipped my hand into a vat of mercury--just fooling around. Several months later, my wedding ring came apart. The mercury had attacked the gold solder. Oh, and yes, I was pregnant at the time. Who knows what mischief I did to myself and/or my daughter? We just did not know.
Cop Car
I broke a thermometer a few years ago while I was sick in bed. Can't remember how we managed the mercury bead but shortly after I noticed that my wedding ring looked like the cheapest one. From the jeweller I learned mercury is the only thing which can affect gold... I got a shiny wedding ring back!!
Thanks for the links :)
I never realized that if they broke you had to be that careful.
Thank you for the helpful info.
Thanks for that, we are replacing our bulbs as they go, but nowhere on the packets is this infomation. After reading it I am not sure I want to use them anyway.
LOM
Had no idea! Thanks for this information, Judy.
We've replaced about 2/3 of our lights--even getting some of the chandlier type (which don't look quite as nice as the old ones), especially for lights that are on a lot, but on reading lights, I'll stick to the others for a while.
thanks for the links - now I have to study before I buy lightbulbs!
Ugh, I really don't like the new CFLs. I have a hard enough time with getting enough light in a room, and those suckers just aren't bright enough. We have them in the garage and on the front porch, but that's it. I'm sticking with energy-wasting regular bulbs in the house, just because I like to be able to see...
I didn't know I needed to be very careful. It is a bit scary.
I haven't bought any of these bulbs Judy, for the very reasons you nention. I have not seen ANY of these Bulbs that give off the kind of "light" I need...! The 'light' is strange and almost makes me feel I am loosing my sight faster than I should be. When I get back to the old fashioned bulb--My eyeseight "Magically" gets better. And my assessment is that ALL the bulbs are like that.
AND....Those warnings scared the hell out of me so I figure I am going to wait till they perfect this whole thing a lot better!
Judy, I did buy a bunch of the new blubs and I like them OK but I too am concerned about the safety clean up drawbacks. My daughter bought some but did not use them as she has children and does not want the worry.
Did I hear that in a few years all bulbs will be of that type by government decree?
We're using them too.
But geez, I didn't know about the mercury. Figures.
Thanks for the useful link and info.
`S
I have them at the top and bottom of the stairs and they give such a dreary light it makes me laugh.
I havn't found any that work with those trippy outdoor lights yet. You know when you approach the light turns on or gets brighter. Seems to me it would be an ideal place, but the circuits don't seem to work with theses bulbs.
I've only used one so far, but I have several others ready to put in other fixtures when needed. I don't think I bought the right color temp. bulb. It's really different from light I'm use to. I had no idea about the disposal of them. Thanks for the links Judy. I wonder how many people know about this information....I bet not many. I'd say that's pretty important info to know.
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