Comments on: Women Want a Better Light Bulb

By: Diane MacEachern

Diane MacEachern — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:06:52 +0000

Judy, Thanks for writing. Re the bulbs you’ve bought: have they been generic CFLs, rather than Energy Star-certified? Energy Star bulbs are generally reliable, so perhaps the bulbs themselves were faulty. Also, some older lamps that have 3-way switches sometimes don’t use CFLs well. If you buy CFLs again, make sure you choose Energy Star models. As for holding it “by the base,” I mean the area right above the screw threads. You don’t want to hold the bulb by the top – if you twist too tightly, the bulb could break. Thanks. Diane

By: judy malone

judy malone — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:58:26 +0000

I am all for what you are doing in promoting the use of CFLs, but I’ve a question. How do you hold onto the base while you are screwing the base into the light socket? Also, I have yet to have a CFL last more than a year or so. I’ve been buying them since they became available in retail stores, but I have already replaced them twice over.

By: Diane MacEachern

Diane MacEachern — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:46:34 +0000

Tim,
You’re absolutely right about the need to recycle CFLs. When we buy them, we should make a point of telling cashiers and store managers we intend to bring them back! Thanks for writing, Diane

By: Timothy Latz

Timothy Latz — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:57:51 +0000

While CFL’s are an energy efficent way to reduce energy and lower the carbon footprint, more attention needs to be paid to developing recycling programs to keep them out of the landfills.. While they generally last a few years, at some point in 2010, there will be many millions of burnt out CFL bulbs needing a proper way to recycle them..
While some cities offer this service, there are also web based companies like http://www.lamprecycling.com/ that cost a bit of money to send back bulbs for recycling.
IKEA is the only US retailer that currently will accept CFL bulbs for recycling, hopefully other bigger chains will follow..Great article on subject. It’s important to demand from retailers a little green accountability!