[ale] OT: Disposal of standard fluorescent lamps?

[Ron Frazier]

PS to my prior message of a few minutes ago.

A CFL will typically consume 1/4 of the energy of an incandescent bulb 
of similar output. So, 100 W incandescent <--> 25 W CFL. You'd have to 
run the dimmer and the incandescent pretty low to match the CFL energy 
wise. However, even all the lights in the house are usually a small part 
of the electrical load in this region. They compete with ranges, 
microwaves, washers, dryers, heat pumps, heaters, refrigerators, dish 
washers, etc. I say, if you want your dimmers, just put in incandescent 
bulbs and don't worry about energy usage. It may get harder and harder 
to find bulbs though. You may be able to find some LED dimmable bulbs, 
but they're probably not cheap.

Ron

On 03/28/2011 03:53 PM, Greg Freemyer wrote:
> On Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 1:51 PM, Jim Kinney<jim.kinney at gmail.com>  wrote:
>    
>> This is good to know! I'm finding the "10 year life span" to be totally crap
>> marketing and have a small collection of CFL's and few 4' tubes that need a
>> funeral.
>>
>> BTW: CFL's are in general not designed for "base up" operation unless
>> specified.
>>
>>      
> Nor do they work with a dimmer unless specified.  And even then, they
> are not near as good with a dimmer as traditional incandescent lights.
>
> fyi: the state of Georgia may pass a law that it is legal to
> manufacture and sell incandescent in GA as long as they don't cross
> the state line.  (ie. Fed Law only kicks in when products ship between
> states.)
>
> I know the proposed law passed the state senate a few weeks ago.  I
> have been interested enough to follow it in the house.
>
> My mine desire is to be able to have incandescent lights in places I
> use a dimmer.  After all, dimmer's save electricity too unless you
> keep them at max. most of the time.
>
> Greg
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-- 

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Ron Frazier

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