Something that I think is frustrating: Now that people like me have replaced most of the lights with CFL bulbs, which are supposed to last forever, now it comes out that they aren't good for you.  So either we can put up with using something that is possibly harmful until they wear out, or once again, shell out scarce dollars for the next innovative lighting, something that we did just a short while ago getting the new CFL bulbs.  Bring back the Coal Oil Lamps!  Edey

Edey:

Now that people like me have replaced most of the lights with CFL bulbs, which are supposed to last forever, now it comes out that they aren't good for you.  So either we can put up with using something that is possibly harmful until they wear out, or once again, shell out scarce dollars for the next innovative lighting

 

Worse than that, Edey. Our wise and wonderful government has decreed that we will not be able to buy incandescent light bulbs in a few years. So, it really will be CFL's or coal oil lamps unless something else comes along by then. I'm buying all the candles I see at the thrift store.

Edey:

Something that I think is frustrating: Now that people like me have replaced most of the lights with CFL bulbs, which are supposed to last forever, now it comes out that they aren't good for you.  So either we can put up with using something that is possibly harmful until they wear out, or once again, shell out scarce dollars for the next innovative lighting, something that we did just a short while ago getting the new CFL bulbs.  Bring back the Coal Oil Lamps!  Edey

If you've already got them, there's no reason not to use them. The health hazards associated with mercury might be a reason not to buy these bulbs (because you don't want to put mercury into the environment when you dispose of them), but since you have already bought them and will just have to dispose of them anyway if you replace them, you might as well use them until they burn out. There is no danger in using them unless you break one (and then you can minimize the danger by opening a window before you clean it up). The amount of mercury in these bulbs is really tiny, so you're not looking at major exposure. It's the impact of thousands and thousands of them (if they're not properly disposed of) that's a concern. And they're certainly less of a threat to your health than coal oil. :-)

Personally, I believe that taking all factors into consideration--initial cost, energy use, disposal, and safety--CFLs are still the best choice for most applications. (I went into more detail about this in my post on LED bulbs.) LEDs have the potential to supersede them, but right now they are not cost-effective except for the most intensive uses (like traffic lights). I think as the price of LEDs comes down, I'll start doing with them as I did when the first generation of CFLs came out--replacing my CFLs, one at a time, starting with the fixtures that see the highest use.

Thank you, Pat & Haverwench for the excellent article/post on LED lightbulbs.  I appreciate teh additional info.  Yorus in Him, Deb

We are fortunate to have a county owned haz-mat center not too far from us, so anything like light bulbs, spray cans, batteries, razor blades, old medicines, cooking grease, and electronics all go there.  They used to have a traveling operation that would set up on weekends at different locations, like school campuses; that was helpful too. Edey

Pat:

Worse than that, Edey. Our wise and wonderful government has decreed that we will not be able to buy incandescent light bulbs in a few years. So, it really will be CFL's or coal oil lamps unless something else comes along by then.

Well, not quite. What the government did was set new efficiency standards that no incandescent bulb at the time could meet. But now, it appears, that has changed. So those who don't want to use CFLs will still have a choice.

Personally, I'll be sticking with my CFLS for the most part, since (a) I've already bought them for almost every fixture in my house, and (b) they are cheaper, last longer, and (I assume) throw off less heat than the new high-efficiency incandescents. But it's nice to know these other bulbs will be available for fixtures that can't use CFLs (like exposed bulbs in a bathroom).

haverwench:

What the government did was set new efficiency standards that no incandescent bulb at the time could meet. But now, it appears, that has changed. So those who don't want to use CFLs will still have a choice.

 

That's good to know, thanks for the link! I think I'll stick to my plan of slowly stocking up on incandescents, since the price apparently will go up as the cheaper bulbs disappear. 

Pat:

That's good to know, thanks for the link! I think I'll stick to my plan of slowly stocking up on incandescents, since the price apparently will go up as the cheaper bulbs disappear. 

The initial price per bulb will go up, but the lifetime cost will go down, because each bulb will last longer and use less electricity. Even at $5 a bulb, they are cheaper over their lifetime than a standard incandescent, and their base price will most likely drop as production ramps up.

There will be a time of transition and that's what concerns me. I have lamps that CFLs won't fit and I'm not sure I like the light from them anyway. I think the real cost/quality of new incandescents is still to be seen. 

I think that's a great idea.