Thursday July 24th, 2008
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Give the gift of "Why aren't you using compact fluorescents yet?"
Posted by Catherine Swinford on March 20, 2007 - 11:45pm.
I love to give compact fluorescent bulbs to people who will never buy them otherwise. We're talking about the ones who get so stuck in their routines that they might still have beta players because they just aren't sure if VHS is something they want to invest in. I know a few of these people and you probably do, too. Give them compact fluorescent bulbs and they'll have to use them when they stumble into the utility closet at 10:30pm and realize they're all out of "normal" light bulbs. The great thing is that no one who uses a CF bulb will ever use anything else! They're just too good.
Just a few things I've noticed about CF's from 7 years of use. CF's and kids don't go well together. My 4 year old killed one the day I got it. Apparently the electronics in the ballasts are delicate and don't fare well if they get bumped. CF's don't fare well if inverted. They overheat their ballasts and go out early.
On a good note. CF's are great for reading lamps. The lamp shades cut the glare, but the light is still clean like sunlight.
Just my 2 cents.
Observe the world as though you were a child and enjoy the wonder of it all.
Yes CF's are the little spiral flourescent bulbs. I personally haven't found a retailer that is recycling them, but that's a good question. I hate to say I just toss mine, but there are no recycling programs where I live. Hopefully the LED bulbs will come down in price soon so I don't have the throw it out issue to worry about.
Observe the world as though you were a child and enjoy the wonder of it all.
That would be a good forum question to post, "Where do fluorescent bulbs go when they burn out"? Someone had mentioned that Home Depot might take them back, but I have to look into that.
Do you know if they come in softer lighting to help set a mood? Mine was very bright and it said soft light.
Ok here's what I found on the package of my newest CF bulb. There's a website... www.lamprecycle.org and a phone number 1-800-555-0050 where you can get info on recycling your CF bulbs in your state. Hope this helps.
Observe the world as though you were a child and enjoy the wonder of it all.
OK after running around in circles and calling everyone from the local garbage dump to the EPA headquarters in D.C. I could not find a place here in southeast New Mexico to recycle CF or regular flourecent bulbs. I finally contacted Walmart's corporate office in Arkansas and explained my dilemma to them. They explained to me they had a company contracted to recycle any item they sell that needs to be recycled. They are now going to start a recycling program for flourecent bulbs at our local store!
Observe the world as though you were a child and enjoy the wonder of it all.
I have been using CFB for the last three years. Even the night light is a CFB. I have saved so much money. With the other changes I have made. I had a $38.21 light bill for the month of May. There are pros and cons for CFB, the only problem is where in Texas do you send them to be recycled?