# Is there any good way to shift people from incandescent bulbs to fluorescents?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679
**Category:** Great Debates
**Created:** [February 11, 2007, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679 "2007-02-11T00:17:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/41 "2007-02-12T15:51:29Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink]
Oh, geez, do we really have to legislate this? Do we really have to use the power of the law to tell people what kind of light bulbs they can and can’t buy?
If the fluorescents are better, won’t they naturally win out eventually?
[/QUOTE]
God, thank you. It is always distressing when the idea of taxing the poor is tossed out there as a means to assuage the guilt complex of the well to do.
If you support using the higher priced bulbs and can afford them, then buy them. But don’t make people who live hand to mouth and are already stretched beyond reason pay a premium for yet another pet project of the knee-jerk crowd. You wouldn’t increase the tax on their incomes, would you? Why would you increase the tax on their everday lives?
---
### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/42 "2007-02-12T16:14:30Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal]
God, thank you. It is always distressing when the idea of taxing the poor is tossed out there as a means to assuage the guilt complex of the well to do.
If you support using the higher priced bulbs and can afford them, then buy them. But don’t make people who live hand to mouth and are already stretched beyond reason pay a premium for yet another pet project of the knee-jerk crowd. You wouldn’t increase the tax on their incomes, would you? Why would you increase the tax on their everday lives?
[/QUOTE]
Yes, but many including myself are instead suggesting the standard US policy of price supports to allow CFL to be sold at or near the same cost as incandescents. This will help the poor a lot in the long run and not hurt them in the short run.
How does that sound instead?
Jim
---
### Author:  [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/43 "2007-02-12T17:54:55Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?]
Yes, but many including myself are instead suggesting the standard US policy of price supports to allow CFL to be sold at or near the same cost as incandescents. This will help the poor a lot in the long run and not hurt them in the short run.
How does that sound instead?
[/QUOTE]
Not too good, because I oppose welfare for corporations. In fact, I oppose corporations as rights bearing entities, but that’s a different debate. In this instance, why not just let people decide what is in their own best interest? That allows for the maximum human praxis. People of means can buy the good bulbs. Poor people can buy the other ones. Some poor people will even buy the good bulbs, reasoning that they cost less to use. And people can help each other. Ask churches if they will distribute the good bulbs to the poor in their congregations. Ask atheists if they will distribute some good bulbs to their neighbors. Gather volunteers and sponsor Trade-Ins, where people bring their old bulbs and trade them in for new ones. There are a thousand things that can be done, and that need to be done in different ways for different locations from urban to rural, from rich to poor. A central plan for this issue (or any other, really) addresses only the concerns of the planners.
---
### Author:  [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/44 "2007-02-12T18:00:00Z")
I agree wholeheartedly that a good chunk of the problem is the design of light fixtures. CFL’s work just fine in my ceiling fans, but they look pretty goofy because the fixtures were designed for small incandescent floods. Now I have these odd little corkscrew shapes sticking out instead of the better aesthetics of the floods. Granted, I just tell myself you’re not supposed to look at the light bulb anyway, but it would be nice if newer fans had deeper hoods, perhaps even with a transparent or lightly frosted cover.
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### Author:  [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/45 "2007-02-12T18:14:53Z")
Or design the bulbs differently. Is there any reason they can’t be covered with a nice bulb shaped exterior, put over the corkscrew mess?
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### Author:  [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/46 "2007-02-12T18:19:09Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.]
I wouldn’t go that far. They are certainly better than they used to be, but I can still tell CFLs from incandescents immediately. Maybe my eyes are just attuned top the differences.
[/QUOTE]
You really need to check out the newest CFL’s, that’s all I can say.
We’ve switched over about 1/2 of the bulbs in the house. We have them in varying wattages and colors and in different bulb sizes and shapes. The cost is also rapidly dropping, we snatched a bunch on clearance at Target for under a dollar a bulb.
Some of them still have the 1/2 second delay-thing, but that’s certainly a fair trade for the energy savings.
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### Author:  [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/47 "2007-02-12T18:29:11Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal]
Or design the bulbs differently. Is there any reason they can’t be covered with a nice bulb shaped exterior, put over the corkscrew mess?
[/QUOTE]
You can get cfls in “normal” shapes, and in floods.
Some examples:
> **[GE Color Changing 18-in Gun Metal Modern/Contemporary LED Flush Mount Light...](https://www.gelighting.com/led-lights/bulbs/wire-terminal/ge-color-changing-18-gun-metal-moderncontemporary-led-flush-mount)**
>
> Uses 32 Watts (2400 lumens) Rated to last 50,000 hours Choose from 5 white tones to enhance your home's atmosphere: Soft White (2700K), Warm White (3000K),...
(Click “see all” for more info)
[http://www.bulbs.com/Compact\_Fluorescent\_Bulbs,\_Screw--in\_Base/results.aspx?kw=ggcflscr](http://www.bulbs.com/Compact_Fluorescent_Bulbs,_Screw--in_Base/results.aspx?kw=ggcflscr)
---
### Author:  [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/48 "2007-02-12T18:50:31Z")
[QUOTE=Snowcarpet]
You can get cfls in “normal” shapes, and in floods.
[/QUOTE]
I did not know that. [/Johnny]
Thanks for the info.
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/49 "2007-02-12T20:43:14Z")
[QUOTE=Snowcarpet]
You really need to check out the newest CFL’s, that’s all I can say.
[/QUOTE]
What makes you think I haven’t?
---
### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/50 "2007-02-12T20:51:33Z")
I don’t use any kind of fluorescent lights at home. While they may be more cost-effective in my wallet, they are a pain (literally) in my eyes. As someone who is also color-blind, they throw off my color ability as well. Forget it.
In fact, I unscrewed all the fluorescent lights above and around my desk. My productivity has gone way up as a result.
---
### Author:  [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/51 "2007-02-12T21:38:58Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal]
Or design the bulbs differently. Is there any reason they can’t be covered with a nice bulb shaped exterior, put over the corkscrew mess?
[/QUOTE]
They certainly can be… if the size constraints are loose enough. I’ve seen CFL floods that have the little spiral hidden away inside a normal shaped flood bulb. But there seems to be a reason that they can’t make them fit inside the standard size of an incandescent bulb. I’m assuming this based on the fact that no one has actually sold such a thing. Adding an additional layer around it would just make them bigger and less efficient, which seems to go against what most people need from a CFL.
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### Author:  [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/52 "2007-02-13T14:22:36Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.]
What makes you think I haven’t?
[/QUOTE]
Just a (wrong) assumption, then 🙂 Sorry.
I used to dislike them as well, but I have found that the latest-and-greatest ones are different. I actually now use a “warm” cfl in my reading lamp in my bedroom, very soft light.
YMMV! It’s possible that you see differently.
---
### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/53 "2007-02-13T14:59:51Z")
[QUOTE=Snowcarpet]
I used to dislike them as well, but I have found that the latest-and-greatest ones are different. I actually now use a “warm” cfl in my reading lamp in my bedroom, very soft light.
[/QUOTE]
Just curious where do you pick up your “warm” cfl bulbs?
I have about 70% of my house on CFL and some long tubes in my workshop and pool table area. My wife does not like the glare and I cannot go 95% like I want to.
Jim
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### Author:  [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/54 "2007-02-13T16:01:57Z")
I think, over time, the long-term savings of the fluorescent bulbs will win converts from tne incandescent bulbs. We have the new ones in all of our porch lights, and I replaced the eight 100-watt bulbs in my woodshop with equivalent fluorescent bulbs. There are some we won’t replace, however – only incandescents will work on dimmers (we have three in our house) and you just cannot replace the warm yellow glow of an incandescent bulb in your nightstand or desk lamp. But where practical, it just makes sense to use the fluorescents. When you add the energy savings to the number of times you won’t climb up on a chair to replace light bulbs, it becomes a no-brainer.
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### Author:  [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/55 "2007-02-13T16:21:23Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?]
Just curious where do you pick up your “warm” cfl bulbs?
I have about 70% of my house on CFL and some long tubes in my workshop and pool table area. My wife does not like the glare and I cannot go 95% like I want to.
Jim
[/QUOTE]
Not sure where I got this one, but I think it’s from Target. It’s a spiral-type, low wattage (think it’s like 15w.)
Look for bulbs marked warm, soft white, or warm/white.
---
### Author:  [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/56 "2007-02-13T17:27:43Z")
[QUOTE=Sunrazor]
There are some we won’t replace, however – only incandescents will work on dimmers
[/QUOTE]
They do in fact now have dimmable cfls, GE makes one. I need to see if these will fit in my dining room fixture…
---
### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/57 "2007-02-13T17:31:37Z")
[QUOTE=Sunrazor]
…snip…
There are some we won’t replace, however – only incandescents will work on dimmers (we have three in our house) and you just cannot replace the warm yellow glow of an incandescent bulb in your nightstand or desk lamp. But where practical, it just makes sense to use the fluorescents. When you add the energy savings to the number of times you won’t climb up on a chair to replace light bulbs, it becomes a no-brainer.
[/QUOTE]
They make CFL that work in 3-way and on dimmers now. They are just hard to find or require internet orders. This is the 5% category that I was planning to remain with incandescent for a while.
My nightstand light is a homemade Lighthouse with a low wattage CFL, the ‘lens’ handles the softening of the light.
**Snowcarpet** , thanks, I will check Target. Lowes had nothing along this line that I could find.
Jim
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/58 "2007-02-13T17:45:59Z")
[QUOTE=Snowcarpet]
They do in fact now have dimmable cfls, GE makes one. I need to see if these will fit in my dining room fixture…
[/QUOTE]
If they use a standard candelabra (E11) base, they are [available](http://www.1000bulbs.com/product.php?product=9267).
---
### Author:  [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/59 "2007-02-13T18:04:13Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.]
If they use a standard candelabra (E11) base, they are [available](http://www.1000bulbs.com/product.php?product=9267).
[/QUOTE]
I _think_ that they’re standard (e6?) bases, but it’s not a normal fixture at all, it’s an antique (a big giant hunk of reverse-painted glass), and I’ve yet to dare stick my head in it to see what will fit! It’s not enclosed, the glass hangs down on chains.
---
### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-way-to-shift-people-from-incandescent-bulbs-to-fluorescents/391679/60 "2007-02-13T18:09:33Z")
They also have CFCs labeled “natural spectrum” which work best for me.
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