The end of the light bulb as we know it

[phixer]

I see a black market emerging.

There are ways around the madness if you want to keep your dimable lights. Incandescent light bulbs are pretty easy to make and the rough service ones will still be available to use in your dimmable sockets. Pretty sure with a little digging you could adapt a car lamp such an 1141 for use in 120VAC with a step down inverter to 12VDC if one really wanted to.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/24/a-manufacturer-found-a-loophole-around-that-incandescent-light-bulb-ban/

 

[2quills]

Leds are by far the most efficient light source. This faze out has been in the works for quite a while now. There are some issues with using some of the bulbs on dimmers but apparently not everyone is experiencing the same issues. The bulbs that I do have in one fixture do buzz a little bit when they are turned up. But those lights are above my wifes desk where she does her hair and make up in the morning. They haven't burned out yet. The ones in my recessed fixtures in the living room ceiling don't buzz. Maybe its an issue with how some brands are being made.

 

[beth]

My understanding is that there are actual dimmable leds and cfls, however, I'm not convinced on how they do long term under dimmers. I'm sure the technology will improve over time now that we must use them.

 

[bang guy]

I'm definitely not on board with the government dictating what manufacturing products the buyers want... but I'll definitely be turning to LED as my bulbs burn out, perhaps even before in some cases.

 

[beth]

Well, I starting getting my supply today of the old bulbs I need. I'll have no problem making the change as long as I can get exactly what I want. I'm sure the newer bulbs will evolve over the next year or 2 to provide consumer options. At that time, I'll buy them.

 

[phixer]

Good idea, you should be ok.

 

[reefraff]

My biggest problem with this is most of the "old" bulbs are made here and I don't think any of the CFL's are. 4 or 5 years back they changed the standard for the amount of mercury in fluorescent lamps. I wouldn't call in the hazardous waste team for a broken CFL, or 10. Should be disposed of properly though. I'm hoping the LED prices fall more before I run out of the old stuff but the CFLs I have I am happy with. Have one that more than 3 years and still going good.

 

[bang guy]

I agree there's nothing to be concerned about over 100 or 1000 CFLs not being disposed of properly. My concern is 100's of millions of CFL bulbs not being disposed of properly. That was my concern when the law was passed about eliminating incandescent bulbs. It's a bad law for two reasons, the government shouldn't be limiting our choices like that and the primary choice left was going to turn into toxic waste. Thankfully LED prices are dropping.

 

[reefraff]

I figure I broke enough T5's when I was testing them I could eat CFL's and it wouldn't make a difference at this point

 

[beth]

Does anyone really believe that people are going to visit the local waste management site to dispose of light bulbs?

 

[reefraff]

Around here it's "illegal" to even throw old electronics in the trash. They have recycling centers that will take your stuff, for a fee LOL!. Whatever can fit in a trashbag will go out to the trash man.

 

[2quills]

Does anyone really believe that people are going to visit the local waste management site to dispose of light bulbs?
Not once you're forced into buying led. The slow but sure faze out of fluorescents are coming. In 2010 manufacturer's we're forced to stop making T12 ballasts. Once those stocks are gone you'll have to upgrade to something new. But who wants T12 anymore anyways?
In 2010 manufacturer's of R22 refrigerant were also forced to stop producing it. R22 is the most common type still in use for the majority of home owners today. The newer and more environmentally friendly choice is 410a which requires a new outside condensing unit and potentially copper refrigerant line replacement in addition to a new metering device installed on your inside evaporator unit. Money, money money.

 

[beth]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/396888/the-end-of-the-light-bulb-as-we-know-it/20#post_3536944
In 2010 manufacturer's of R22 refrigerant were also forced to stop producing it. R22 is the most common type still in use for the majority of home owners today. The newer and more environmentally friendly choice is 410a which requires a new outside condensing unit and potentially copper refrigerant line replacement in addition to a new metering device installed on your inside evaporator unit. Money, money money.
Tell me about it, had to buy a whole new hvac a few yrs back (the new system). I guess you could say it wasn't entirely necessary that I do so at that time, but repairs to old ac was going to run about $700 and my ac company let me know that spending that much money on an old system could even cost me more due the new standards.

So florescent bulbs are being phased out as well? I do have a number of florescent light fixtures.

 

[2quills]

Tell me about it, had to buy a whole new hvac a few yrs back (the new system).  I guess you could say it wasn't entirely necessary that I do so at that time, but repairs to old ac was going to run about $700 and my ac company let me know that spending that much money on an old system could even cost me more due the new standards.
So florescent bulbs are being phased out as well?  I do have a number of florescent light fixtures.
You still have plenty of time to use them. So far T12s are the only ones on the list that I can see. But that doesn't mean that it isn't coming. They'll probably pop up with some new technology in a few years that's even better than led.
Yeah at this point unless you're just replacing electrical components or topping off a leak then you're better off just upgrading to the new systems. When I first got licensed in 09´ a bottle of r22 cost about $175 and now it cost $400. There are a actually some alternative refrigerants now that can replace r22 without having to invest in a whole new system if someone doesn't have the extra cash to upgrade. But you gotta watch those ac guy's. Many of them won't explain that to you but they'll be more than happy to sell you a new system or charge you higher process to maintain an r22 system.