Hot Topic (10/28): Government ban on light bulbs

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

Let There Be (Incandescent) Light
 
By David Henderson
Friday, October 2, 2009

What would Thomas Edison say?

Last month, stores in Europe stopped acquiring new stocks of Edison's brilliant invention. In truth, the traditional incandescent light bulb is terribly inefficient: Only about 10 percent of its energy output is in the form of visible light; the rest is emitted as heat. Switching everyone to alternatives such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) will result in fairly significant reductions in energy consumption, which will help Europe meet its targets for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

A similar ban, written into energy legislation a few years ago, is to take effect in the United States in 2012. Though it has distinct improvements over the European legislation, this ban is still a bad idea.

While the European Union outlawed a particular technology, Congress set minimum efficiency requirements for lighting. Old-fashioned (regular) incandescent bulbs do not meet this standard, but by 2012 there may very well be some improved incandescents on the market that will.

That this change is manifest in our daily lives makes it a meaningful and encouraging option, but it should be just that: a voluntary option. Light bulbs are a poor choice for regulation. Is there an overriding reason to regulate how Americans light their homes?

It's true that compact fluorescent lights are widely appreciated among those with heightened "green" sensibilities. They are a welcome option for those who are trying to reduce their environmental impact. Replacing bulbs may be a small measure, but it is also something that can be done by people who may feel powerless or frustrated before the larger problems besetting our planet.

But many people also have a decided dislike of CFLs and will greatly resent the ban. While they may last longer than incandescent bulbs, the upfront cost is high; the light produced is not as bright as that of incandescent bulbs; they are slow to achieve full brightness; the bulbs don't fit in many old lamps; they can't be dimmed; and their lifespan is greatly shortened by using them for less than 15 minutes at a time. The manufacturers of compact fluorescent lights have made improvements on some of these issues, but their reputation is not yet vindicated.

The environmental benefits of using only compact fluorescent bulbs are indirect -- and less than what could be realized by changing standards governing, for example, coal use. Consider: The benefit of "reducing inefficiency" depends on where the energy is coming from. Improving efficiency without eliminating a harmful source may just free energy that is then used elsewhere. If there is no net reduction in energy use, where is the benefit? Direct regulation of harmful activities, such as putting firm limits on carbon emissions, is more likely to achieve the desired environmental result. (And this would only indirectly influence my bedroom decor.) A great deal of the wasted energy in lighting comes from excessive nighttime lighting in public spaces, which is an excellent issue for government to address. Banning traditional light bulbs as used in private homes seems an effort in the name of environmental protection that has very little payoff.

There is more political will behind environmental reform than is generally appreciated, but it is not unlimited. We should invest our political capital where it will be most effective, not burn it in compact fluorescents. Congress should regulate matters that require the force of law, such as banning mountaintop removal in coal mining and new coal-burning power plants. Leave people to change their own light bulbs.

* * *

Do you agree or disagree with this article?

Should the government tell you what sort of light bulbs you can use?

How do you feel about the ban on incandescent bulbs beginning in 2012?

[Mergath]

I'm going to be pretty pissed if I can only buy fluorescent lightbulbs after 2012.  I have photosensitive epilepsy due to an abnormality in my temporal lobe, and if I'm around fluorescent lights for more than a few hours at a time, I start having simple partial seizures- auras, basically.  Which, if I don't get away from the lights, leads to a full-blown grand mal (or I guess tonic clonic is the PC term now) seizure.  So having a house filled with CFLs isn't exactly going to be fun for me.

[cowgirlsr2]

These bulbs are very expensive compared to traditional bulbs plus if I am not mistaken if broken they have mercury in them. You going to tell me how many bulbs you have broken or have gotten home and they are broke because the clerk put them in with something heavy.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury

Mercury is an essential element in the operation of fluorescent lighting; it allows the bulbs to be an efficient light source. Because CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury, it is important to educate yourself on proper use, recycling and disposal of these products.

The Facts about CFLs and Mercury

Learn More

CFLs and Mercury

• CFLs and Mercury Fact Sheet (77KB)
• EPA: Mercury Information

Recycling CFLs

• Earth 911: Find a Recycling or Reuse Location
• Recycleabulb.com: Find a Recycling Location
• EPA: Mercury-Containing Light Bulb Recycling

ENERGY STAR Lighting

• CFLs
• Light fixtures

• Because CFLs use less electricity than traditional light bulbs, they reduce demand for electricity; that reduction means less mercury is emitted from power plants.
• CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury — an average of 4 milligrams in each bulb.
• No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use.

Why the EPA, DOE and others are promoting the use of CFLs

CFLs use significantly less energy than traditional light bulbs (75% less). If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 800,000 cars. And even though CFLs contain a small amount of mercury that could ultimately end up in the environment, that amount is significantly less than the amount of mercury avoided as a result of the energy savings.

Recycling and Disposing of CFLs

Like any other product containing potentially hazardous materials that you use in your home, CFLs come with some special instructions.

Learn what you should do if a CFL breaks in your home (27KB), and get EPA’s recommendations for recycling and responsibly disposing of CFLs at the end of their life cycle.

You may have heard that the government is requiring all light bulbs to be more efficient in the next few years. Learn more about how the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 will affect the sale of light bulbs.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_mercury

at least with the other bulbs you just have a mess to clean up next it will be toilet paper, pads ,and shampoo..

[resamerie]

I think the government is telling us enough already about what we can and can't do. First it's adding extra taxes to sodas (which I don't let my DD drink but, to each their own). My DH bought some of those new light bulbs and to tell you the truth, they give me a headache and look like crap in a ceiling fan. What else is going to be banned? That's my question.

[Mergath]

Yeah, from what I've read, even a lot of people with no neurological problems are bothered by fluorescent lights- migraines, dizziness, lethargy.  Besides, even if I didn't have problems with them because of my epilepsy, they just look harsh and cold to me.  I hate everything about them, and given that they contain mercury, I just don't see how they're terribly beneficial, environmentally speaking.

Quoting resamerie:

I think the government is telling us enough already about what we can and can't do. First it's adding extra taxes to sodas (which I don't let my DD drink but, to each their own). My DH bought some of those new light bulbs and to tell you the truth, they give me a headache and look like crap in a ceiling fan. What else is going to be banned? That's my question.

[mistynights234]

Im hoping that someone can tell me how to dispose of them after they are burnt out.  Your not suppose to just put them in the trash so what are you suppose to do with them?   We have some and they give me a head ache......so I dont think Im pro incandescent lights.

[bakebiscotti]

I don't agree that the government can't mandate efficiency.  They do in cars, they mandate safety rules in many industries and this is just another mandate.

We don't live in an anarchist or libertarian society.  There are laws put in place that set a specific standard for both our safety and the viability of the planet.  I don't see that as a bad thing. 

We, as a country, are consumer pigs.  We consume so much of everything from crappy, processed food, to energy to water to forests.  It's time for us to quite being so damn piggy.

I'm sorry, it's not your right to destroy the planet and use up all our resources just because you are a citizen of this country.

I know, I know, I went off on a tangent! LOL

[JoshiRachelsMom]

TOO DAMNED MUCH GOVERNMENT INTRUSION!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tericared]

 Mercury....now there is something I want to put into every room in my house....NOT

[Peanutx3]

It is happening here already.  I went to the store to buy some spot lights (my house is filled with them) and I was hard pressed to find them unless they were flourescent.  I refuse to buy flourescent lights.  They are worthless. 

[mmtosam06]

sorry but i get migraines  from the cfl lights so its  a big no go for me & mercury yeah so not happening