# How many folks are stocking up on Light Bulbs before the government takes them away? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 3, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534 "2010-01-03T20:16:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/61 "2010-01-04T16:30:45Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > And unlike flourescents LEDs are dimmable. > [@enipla](#): > > What about dimmer switches. They don’t seem to work on those. [CFLs made specifically for dimmers do exist](http://www.buylightfixtures.com/dimmable-compact-fluorescent.aspx). ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/62 "2010-01-04T16:51:15Z")
I’ve had problems with them burning out in the bathrooms. I just bought a bunch more over the weekend because a few had burned out. I will have to stock up on some bulbs though as we have a few lamps and such that will not take anything else because of the size. I also wish the dimmable one worked as we have 8 lights that get the most use are dimmed, but I’ve tried using the ones that are supposed to work and all they do is either turn off or turn on. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/63 "2010-01-04T16:55:33Z")
I checked your link, **Lute Skywatcher** , and that bulb has a standard bulb base, which is larger than a chandelier base (which IIRC is called an E12). They do make non-dimmable CFLs with an E12 base. What I think I’m going to end up doing is replacing the chandelier bulbs in my non-dimmable fixtures with CFLs, and save the old bulbs as replacements for my dining room lights. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/64 "2010-01-04T17:04:53Z")
But what about Easy-Bake ovens? Won’t someone think of the children!? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/65 "2010-01-04T17:22:00Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > I checked your link, **Lute Skywatcher** , and that bulb has a standard bulb base, which is larger than a chandelier base (which IIRC is called an E12). They do make non-dimmable CFLs with an E12 base. What I think I’m going to end up doing is replacing the chandelier bulbs in my non-dimmable fixtures with CFLs, and save the old bulbs as replacements for my dining room lights. [Here ya go.](http://www.greenelectricalsupply.com/dimmable-cfl-dimmable-candelabra-base-e12-compact-fluorescent-bulb.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/66 "2010-01-04T17:35:07Z")
So, are there any CFL solutions for automatic light timers? For example, my outdoor lamp post comes on automatically around dusk every evening, but as far as I know, there aren’t any CFLs that will work in this application. Without knowing anything more than I’ve read in this thread, I’ve got to assume there are going to be exceptions built into any new government restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/67 "2010-01-04T17:58:03Z")
The vast majority of bulbs in my house are CFLs. Walking room to room, it’s not remotely obvious which rooms are lit with CFLs and which aren’t; the color is very close. The color of paint and carpeting make vastly more difference than whether it’s a CFL or incandescent light in the room. I challenge anyone to walk into my house and tell me with any accuracy which bulbs I’m using based purely on the color of light in the room. Also, all of them turn on instantly. None of this “takes forever” nonsense. None of them have burnt in years. No question they’re lasting vastly longer than the comparable incandescents. In other words, my experience fits the statistically most likely outcome. (It’s hilarious to me that people are already trying to blame this on Obama!) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/68 "2010-01-04T18:16:51Z")
> [@smoke](#): > > So, are there any CFL solutions for automatic light timers? For example, my outdoor lamp post comes on automatically around dusk every evening, but as far as I know, there aren’t any CFLs that will work in this application. From what I’ve read, you need to find a CFL with a magnetic balance. Assuming your outdoor lamp works on a photocontrol, you also need a dimmable CFL or a photocontrol that’s rated for fluorescents or inductive loads. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/69 "2010-01-04T18:29:07Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > So are my Christmas bubble lights now going to be illegal? They won’t work without heat from the bulb. We need to beat every congressman with a baseball bat. This bill had better have exceptions for when an incandescent the only good bulb to use like in an oven. LED Christmas lights are better and safer. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/70 "2010-01-04T18:46:01Z")
For those of you who are experiencing early burnout on your CFL’s, you may be using a cheap variety that is not rated to be put into an enclosed fixture. Check the packaging, and make sure that the CFL you buy can be enclosed if this seems to be the problem. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/71 "2010-01-04T18:55:24Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > For those of you who are experiencing early burnout on your CFL’s, you may be using a cheap variety that is not rated to be put into an enclosed fixture. Check the packaging, and make sure that the CFL you buy can be enclosed if this seems to be the problem. Or, get ones that have a guarantee, write the date they were installed on the lamp, and keep your receipt. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/72 "2010-01-04T19:08:05Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > LED Christmas lights are better and safer. Read the whole post. LED’s aren’t going to work in an oven. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/73 "2010-01-04T19:30:50Z")
I was worried that I can’t use CFL’s with a dimmer. And I love my dimmers. Now, I see that there are dimable CFL’s on the market. I don’t like the idea of a government ban, but I’ll adjust. ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/74 "2010-01-04T20:06:47Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I was worried that I can’t use CFL’s with a dimmer. And I love my dimmers. Now, I see that there are dimable CFL’s on the market. I don’t like the idea of a government ban, but I’ll adjust. I hope they’ll get better, but the 3-way and dimmable CFLs I have in my house stink. They work fine as lights, but the dimmers don’t have much difference between brightest and lowest, and if you try to dim them all the way down, they flicker out, as mentioned above. Also, the difference between the three settings on my 3-way bulb is negligible. Again, it could just be the bulbs I have. The dimmable ones are spotlight style in ceiling cans, given to me by the electric company. ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/75 "2010-01-04T21:37:19Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Big brother in the U.S. is stepping in and shutting off manufacture of incandescent light bulbs starting in 2012. That’s not true. The government is mandating specific energy efficiencies in bulbs, which are currently met mostly by CFLs. The NY Times had an [article](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/garden/10lighting.html?scp=15&sq=efficient+light+bulb&st=nyt) a while back on bulbs that meet the new requirements, including CFLs, halogens, and an incandescent or two. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/76 "2010-01-04T21:59:35Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > So are my Christmas bubble lights now going to be illegal? They won’t work without heat from the bulb. We need to beat every congressman with a baseball bat. This bill had better have exceptions for when an incandescent the only good bulb to use like in an oven. There are a lot of exceptions in the US, including your Christmas bubble lights… the rules will not apply to any bulb dimmer than 40 watts, or any colored lights (so the OP’s yellow bug lights, for example, will still be available). Floodlights, three-way bulbs, and candelabra bulbs will also be exempt. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out\_of\_incandescent\_light\_bulbs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_incandescent_light_bulbs) I guess Easy-Bake ovens will simply be made with multiple low-wattage bulbs. I’m gonna have to check and see what the wattage in my Lava Lamp is… ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/77 "2010-01-04T22:16:55Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > Actually this law IS an example of the market at work, the industry/lobbyist/Congress market. Rather than an idea that is being forced upon us by the green-left, this law was encouraged by lobbyists from Phillips and GE, under the pretex of being ‘good for the planet’. The manufacturers helped get the law passed. > > It is going to be REAL good for the bulb manufacturers. There are 40 BILLION standard light bulb sockets in the US alone. We are now being encouraged and later will be required to discard our .50 cent bulb and replace it with a $4.00 CFL. > > You do the math on that and you will begin to understand why there was not a peep of complaint about this mandate from the manufacturers. The bulb makers will go all Microsoft on us about 5 years after everyone has CFLs in place and push for an upgrade to LED’s. > > For the good of the planet, you know. > > As for me, I hate the CFLs because I can hear them whine and it is very annoying. Oh, I so agree with this 100% and I work in the lighting industry. I try not to pander to it the way some designers do, and I often have to bite my tongue in order to stop myself from telling clients that if they want to be green maybe they should consider not building a 20,000 square ft house. But I get these materials all the time, magazines full of articles on how to use green technology to maximize your business income and trade broucheres with slogans like People, Planet, Profits and Green=$$Green$$. Meanwhile, I remain a true fan of the incandescent light bulb and while CFLs are getting better they aren’t going to be able to replace my GE Reveal incandescents or 120v PAR spots anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/78 "2010-01-04T22:42:33Z")
I really like my CFLs, and have them in almost every fixture. (I’ve always preferred a bluer spectrum though.) I like the fact that I can get more light from a fixture rated for 40 watts. I did have many burn out in the beginning (Liberal BTW) but over the past three years that hasn’t happened. I’m against the whole government ban though. The Government has more important things to address IMHO. It was typical Bush-era corporate pandering. I do have two problems: First the size; they don’t fit in my smaller ceiling fixtures, and I need a solution for the lampshades that have a narrow/short fiddle. Anyone seen a source for that yet? (Fortune to be made there.) Second, the weight of them. Some of my hanging fixtures can’t handle it, and the (admittedly ancient) track lights in the den just disintegrated under the weight. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/79 "2010-01-04T22:56:27Z")
One issue I haven’t seen addressed is outdoor use in cold climates. In the winter, the light outside our door lights extremely slowly, and never does actually come to anything close to full brilliance. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534/80 "2010-01-05T02:24:12Z")
[quote=“salinqmind, post:24, topic:523534”] They have mercury in them. You aren’t supposed to just throw them out in the trash. Our county recycling advises we can drop them off at any of a number of hardware stores." So what? I’ve heard the right wingnut radio commentators argue (lie) that you have to call a hazmat team and pay $2000 to clean up a dropped one because it has mercury in it. Every fluorescent bulb (even the non-compact tubes) have always had mercury in them. As for not liking them in the bathroom, I have a motion activated night light that plugs into the wall outlet and stays on for 90 seconds after no more motion is detected. Have them in hallways and other rooms to help night navigation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-folks-are-stocking-up-on-light-bulbs-before-the-government-takes-them-away/523534.md?page=5)