The Conservative Cave
Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: ExGeeEye on December 28, 2013, 07:20:39 AM
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I note with disgust that the Federal Government has seized, without widespread protests, the authority to ban certain consumer goods. It is possible to be arrested for smuggling in an illegal toilet, for instance.
Think about that. What was your reaction when you first heard about it? Or are you just hearing about it now, and running to check Google or something to make sure I'm telling the truth? (Please do that, BTW. Never take my word for anything. I could be mistaken; I could be outright lying.)
As for me, I was quite angry; however, I decided that was not Bunker Hill for me...I was not willing to die on that hill...at least, not alone.
When the Edison light bulbs came under the disapproving glance or the Nanny State, it angered me again, or still, or more or something. But the nation acquiesced, and again, that was not my Bunker Hill.
So, as the 100W bulbs have disappeared from store shelves, soon to be followed by 60W and 40W bulbs, we have choices.
We can either make this our Bunker Hill, or we can deal with the situation as we find it with the options available.
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In 2004, my cousin and I moved into an apartment together. Nice place; two bedrooms, 1.75 baths (I took the smaller room with the attached .75 bath), biiiig living/dining area, swimming pool nearby, etc. I had heard about CFLs and equipped all my light fixtures, and the one over the dining table, with them.
I had three reasons.
1. They use much less electricity per lumen. I was able to use 100W equivalents for less than half the energy of 60W Edison bulbs. This had in immediate effect on the electric bill.
2. They were available in "daylight spectrum", which I prefer. My bedroom at night with the light on was lit as though I had huge windows open on a sunny day. Edison bulbs, even the blue-tinted "reveal" bulbs, produce a light which I ungraciously call "pee-yellow". (I currently have Edison bulbs in my fridge, range hood, and a small decorative lamp in the guest room. The pee-yellowness of them is plainly seen in contrast with the rest of the lights.)
3. They were purported to be longer-lasting than Edison bulbs. This is the only point on which thy have disappointed me.
I was aware of the risks of breakage. By God's grace and my carpeted floors, I have never had one break.
A couple of months ago, I was in my local Homo Despot (don't judge me! I had good reasons!) and saw a display of LED daylight spectrum 60W equivalent bulbs for under $10 each. I immediately bought several. So far four of them are in use.
1. The electricity use is similar.
2. The light color (temperature?) is similar. Two of them, and two CFLs, are installed in the two fixtures in my kitchen, and the light appears uniform.
3. LEDs are known to me to last a very long time. I have various LED items which have been nearly constantly on for decades. My alarm clock is old enough to buy a beer, and has been off only for power outages and household moves. While some of them turn on and off with the passage of time, the colon has been on all the time the clock has been plugged in, and shows no dimming.
As for breakage, I'm pretty sure the outside bulb shaped casing is made of plastic. I'm not worried about playing catch with a toddler on a concrete patio with one of these. I have decided to replace failed CFLs with these LEDs as they occur.
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If the State were to be stripped of (or voluntarily surrender -- yeah right ::)) the power to regulate toilets or light bulbs or AR mags or whatever else, I don't think I'd go back to Edison bulbs. The daylight-spectrum LEDs have too much going for them.
I just want We the People to be able to choose our light bulbs based on our individual Pursuits of Happiness. And the right to keep and bear arms. And stuff.
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Haven't been impressed with CFL lifespan at all, and the mercury content does trouble me (I worked in environmental law and regulation for several years, so my concerns aren't so much about risk at home as the cumulative effect on the waste stream). I've been replacing both kinds with LED lights as they fail, I'm pretty happy with them, except for the big spots in the shop overhead which just aren't bright enough compared to the disappointingly-short-lived-but-expensive halogen spots they replaced.
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I like the LED lights, the CFLs can take a good while to warm up, and that irritates the bajaysus out of me. 1st world problem, yes?
What's a .75 bath?
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I just bought a 10 year supply of 60wt incandescent bulbs. They work for me, but then so does kerosene lamps. I'm of the mind if the govt wants me to use something I'm against it. I'm a rebel that way.
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The wife and I also replaced ours with CFL bulbs.
The difference in electricity usage was obvious on the electric bill was substantial, but not gigantic, and we were a bit underwhelmed with the lifespan.
I would voluntarily use them indoors, however for outdoor use they suck in cold weather.
In general I don't have a problem with low energy use lighting, however...
We as a people, have forgotten the importance of keeping the government in its place.
CMD
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This phase out was passed under President Bush. I'd like to blame Obama for it, but for once, "It's Bush's Fault"TM.
That being said, I think incandescent bulbs will still be available, but they will be slightly more expensive and labelled "rough service".
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What's a .75 bath?
"Three-quarter" bath. A full bath has toilet, sink, and tub (usually with shower); a half bath is just a toilet and sink; half-way between lies the three-quarter, with a toilet, sink, and shower stall.
In my profession decimals are used. A lot. Tell me "three eighths" and my brain says ".375", not "3/8". Three quarters, 3/4, is .75.
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This phase out was passed under President Bush. I'd like to blame Obama for it, but for once, "It's Bush's Fault"TM.
Yep, that's why I said "federal government", not "obambam" or whatever the SCOAMF's name is.
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"Three-quarter" bath. A full bath has toilet, sink, and tub (usually with shower); a half bath is just a toilet and sink; half-way between lies the three-quarter, with a toilet, sink, and shower stall.
In my profession decimals are used. A lot. Tell me "three eighths" and my brain says ".375", not "3/8". Three quarters, 3/4, is .75.
New one on me. I knew 3/4 was .75, but I hadn't heard that reference to a bath, only half-bath...I have a 3/4 bath as well, as my master. I just refer to it as "the bathroom that just has a shower." :-)
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I like the old incandescents due to their warmth. I have a string of 100 of 9 watters around my gazebo just to annoy the dykes with a dimmer switch to reduce the light when we sit out there. I intended to replace them with warm LEDs, but after hearing through the grapevine that they were incensed with my lights, I've decided to leave them.
For Christmas, I strung them up everywhere hoping at least one of them might stroke and expire. I had so many that I was a bit worried the place might catch on fire. It was worth the risk though. Unfortunately, they're both still breathing.
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Can I get some whale oil for my lamp?