Comments on: Light bulb moment in California

By: John

John — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 20:48:21 +0000

PG&E had been recently subsidizing cfl’s to allow you to purchase them at about $1 each. Sounds like a good deal. I purchased 8 and installed them. In about 6 weeks, 4 were burnt out. These were warrantied and, as such, I took them back to the retailer only to find out that they were sold out. What’s more, the clerk told me that they’ve had several returns for the same reason. Apparently, PG&E is subsidizing crap. As for me, I’ve replaced all of them with regular bulbs and will continue to use these.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:24:34 +0000

I just moved out of the country and am amazed at how many ads I see about energy efficiency and how each person can make a significant impact with minor daily changes. I agree with educating people to make better choices, but not forcing them to buy particular products.

By: Venture Chronicles

Venture Chronicles — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 19:32:05 +0000

[...] Virginia Postrel hits the proverbial nail on the head with regard to the latest attempt by technocrats to tell us what is good for us. The dirty secret is that this is really an aesthetic battle. It’s the latest version of the old American conflict between pleasure and Puritanism (the triumph of the latter led to the current smoking ban in Dallas restaurants (Jeff: I support smoking bans and don’t agree with Postrel on this point)). Efficiency-minded engineers regard anything more than simple illumination as waste. Environmental activists are repulsed by “unnecessary” consumption. The boards that set energy codes and evaluate their effectiveness include engineers and environmentalists. They don’t include artists or designers, much less lingerie shoppers. [...]

By: its4us2think

its4us2think — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:46:35 +0000

I replaced my conventional bulbs in the bathroom with the new CFL ones (available in same shape) that were promoted in costco. As told by others, it is little weird, it is not the same, when I switch on for the first time it has very low brightness, as it heats up it does become much brighter. (few minutes)

I dont mind it because bathroom fixture needs 12 bulbs, and it is usually on for more than it is required (dont ask me why!), so it just makes sense to use it. 25×12=300 vs 9×12=108w.

Of course, I hate this tendency to make everything a law, they are wasting their time. Bring more awareness(or hype it like hybrid), promote with some kind of discounting scheme that pg&e does. People will buy. Market (and dwindling natural resources and their price) will decide the rest. I do like the legislations that are more generic or enforces the direction. (like fleet milage restrictions), but not the micro legislations that try to define too many small things (hard and expensive to enforce)

By: Martin Edic

Martin Edic — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:03:20 +0000

You can now get CFL bulbs designed to go into recessed fixtures without looking weird- they are cone shaped. I think Phillips makes them.
I use them in lights that I prefer to keep on all the time which are generally in low traffic areas like basement and outdoor. The problem with high use isn’t just the color temp, its the fact that they ramp up in brightness- they are not at full lumens until they have been on for a while. So flicking on a reading lamp is a weird experience.
They are a very important product though as conventional bulbs are ancient, inefficient technology. Rather than legislating their use, let increasing market share and demand force innovations in the product specs. It’s capitalism, baby!

By: Zoli Erdos

Zoli Erdos — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 02:06:41 +0000

Well, they give you the lumens on the package… but even if equivalent or better, they have a different color temperature which I find eye-straining. I can’t believe noone talks about it.

And yes, it should not be regulated. Likewise, I an against spanking children, but that should not be legislated either. I hate smoking, but the Belmont initiative to ban it in private homes is ridiculous.

I grew up in a centrally regulated country and know it does not work – too bad our politicians here think the more legislation the better.