CFL Lovers - adopt a DUer

There has been much discussion on the topic of CLF and low wattage light bulbs. While many can and have replaced some or all of our bulbs recently, many of us, or various reasons, cannot do so.

So here's what I propose. Al Gore has challenged us to change 4 light bulbs each to more energy efficient alternatives. I propose that, if you can, adopt a DU member who, because of health or economic or other reasons cannot, and change 8.

I personally can change 16. That means I can "adopt" three of y'all who cannot change the bulbs at the moment. Just let me know who you are. No reasons necessary, no judgment, no nothing. Just "can't do it" and I'll do it for you.

The goal would be for us, as a Community, to replace 4 bulbs with energy efficient alternatives for each DU member.

The only things I'd ask is that if you "adopt" a DU and make the lighting switch, promise to dispose of the bulbs as safely as possible and keep in mind this is a community effort. We are all in it together, doing what we can, and making whatever contributions we can.

What do you think?

One yet another edit - I've had pretty good luck with this site for buying bulbs, if anyone is interested.

http://www.e3living.com/

I'm sure there are other places as well. Suggestions in that area are welcome!!

Thank you, Kber! You just inspired me to change some of my own.

:thumbsup:

can you edit your post maybe to include a link to buy online? then DUers can PM us their addresses and we can send direct?

EXCELLENT POST!

K&R

but I live with my father and I don't think he would appreciate me changing all of his lightbulbs, lol. I am also a poor person myself and really can't afford it.

But what a good idea Kber!! :hi:

Blue

I have changed the light bulbs in my hallway, the top of my basement stairs, and one in my dining room in your name.

are you saying you will provide the means for 3 DUers to replace their bulbs or replace more than the 4 bulbs you would normally replace to make up for the four bulbs they cannot?

Clarity and spelling - sometimes not my strongest traits! Sorry!

while a laudable idea, it seems to be nothing more than symbolic - unless you would have otherwise not changed more than 4 bulbs in your own house/apartment. if all you are doing is giving "credit" to someone else who can not, for whatever reason, change their light bulbs, how is that benefiting the environment anymore than when corporations sell their pollution credits to other companies?

instead, what we should be doing is changing ALL the bulbs in our houses/apartments if we can and, after that, if financially able, help others who can not afford to do so.

on the financial aspect, it should be noted that while CFL cost slightly more than regular incandescent bulbs initially, they not only use far less energy but last for significantly longer time. what this means is that, in the long run, they cost less overall than regular bulbs.

my real goal was to try to get around the posts from some envorinmentally consiensious folks who, for health reasons, are feeling bad or picked on because CFL's aren't an option for them. My point is that if we all do what we can, and in my case changing out more than 4 bulbs is a pretty low pain (or no pain) task, I can help "mitigate" the circumstances of some one else who cannot use the bulbs.

And to make the point that while each of us as individuals may not be able to make the biggest difference, if we start thinking about the problem as a community, we can make some pretty big impacts.

Great idea!

and where we can get them for the least cost?

I've had pretty good luck with this site

http://www.e3living.com/

Just went to your reference and saw the picture of the bulbs. Give my hubby kudos. We not only have quite a few of them installed in the house for at least the last year, but we also got the most energy efficient air-conditioner available about ten years ago. I think it has an energy efficiency of 11 or 13. Whichever was the highest back then.

Love it!

About six months ago, I figured on changing over most of my house -- but after doing a bunch of googling, I found that CFL's don't work with dimmer switches (except special expensive ones), aren't good in enclosed globes or recessed ceiling fixtures where they get too hot, aren't bright enough to use in torch lamps, can't substitute for the spotlights over my kitchen and bathroom sinks, may interfere with tv's, don't work well outdoors when it's below freezing, and burn out too quickly to be cost-effective in places where they're switched on and off frequently or are only on for a few minutes at a time.

In the end, I wound up getting only one CFL, for a small lamp in the corner of my workroom that I keep on most of the time I'm there.

I'd really appreciate hearing how other people have worked around the problems listed above. But at the moment, I'm feeling pretty stymied.

I have globe CFLs in my bathroom in the strip over the sink. I have had a CFL in our back porch lite all winter - some nights got to 28 below here - and its still going strong. The light is not as bright as a regular bulb but it does its job. Hall lamps that require candelabra lights - there are CFLs for that now and they last much much longer. I have CFLs in my livingroom lights too.

wouldn't even notice a difference.

I also just found some 65 watt compatible CFLs for recessed pot lights at Lowes! I didn't know they made those too! I have six more to place with those in my kitchen! Lowes has an amazing amount and assortment of CFLs! Check it out.

Lowes has been ramping up their "Bright Effects" brand recently and they appear to be a good value. Can't be sure for 3-4 years when we see how long they really last.

A six-pack of the BE brand 13W (60W equivalent) spiral bulbs are less than $10 at Lowes. Their light is slightly brighter and slightly "whiter" (higher Kelvin) than the bulbs they replaced.

The BE brand 65W flood replacements are good matches to my existing floods. The Sylvania brand of these were much too white and bright for me. (about $6/each)

I am using the Sylvania 3-way which they rate as 28W max (100W max equiv.) to replace Sylvania Soft White 3-way bulbs with 150 max. These seem to produce nearly as much light each setting and with (to me) similar warmth/color of the light itself. These bulbs are currently just under $10/each.

All of these bulbs have expected life of 6-8000 hours, five to eight times that of the bulbs they are replacing.

Lowes also had various types I haven't tried -- things like exterior spot and flood lights, lights for ceiling fans, etc. No experience with these yet.

anyone?

There was a special deal through PG&E at Albertson's. They sold a 4-pack of CFLs for $1. We bought a bunch and also gave some to our neighbors.

Here is a link to PG&E:

http://www.pge.com/res/rebates/lighting/index.html

they have a link to participating retailers, but it is down at this time.