I call them mercury bulbs for ease of conversation and because they are full of mercury and if that is environmentally friendly, then that is nuts!
When they break and they often do, the mercury vapor put out around you is stunning. And they don't last the way they're supposed to. Mine burn out all the time. Which is why today I had to go on a light hunt.
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| Mercury bulb |
I didn't want mercury bulbs however and although I meant to stock up on the banned vacuum tube bulbs before the ban, I never did.
The Home Depot lighting department guy got on my case and wanted to sell me LED bulbs, the latest trending in light bulbs. Allegedly they are brighter, more energy efficient, and they don't have mercury. I hate LED flashlights so I was again skeptical. LED flashlights have a bright light that does not extend far and is not natural so illuminates abnormally. But one bulb for $7? What? I howled in protest. He said, "well how much do you want to pay for one light bulb?" "$1" said I. The vacuum tube bulbs were $1 for about 3 bulbs, sometimes more.
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| LED light bulbs |
"How about $3?" he said and finally talked me into that, since they were still cheaper than the mercury bulbs. But at Walmart, I found them at just over $2 per bulb and another alternative to mercury bulbs---the halogen bulb and they are cheap, so I got the halogen bulbs.
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| Halogen Bulbs |
We'll see how they hold up. The Home Depot guy told me they tested the mercury bulbs and they use more energy than they claim. I'm just happy there are legal alternatives to those dangerous and polluting mercury bulbs.
It is getting harder and harder to get anything except the squidgy bulbs here. And they seem to take forever to come to full brightness. You are also right that they don't last anything like as long as they are supposed to.
ReplyDeleteAnd if the Home Depot guys are right, who claimed in tests they are not nearly as efficient as they claim, they're a waste and pure hype.
DeleteYou are quite correct about the fluoro lights. Their environmental impact is worse, they are ugly unless shaded, they take time after switching on to reach full light and who wants that harsh light everywhere. I stockpiled the old bulbs and still have some. Halogen aren't too bad but get so hot. LED is the way of the future.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had stockpiled as I intended, Andrew. Didn't know the Halogens get hot.
DeleteI don't like the fluorescents either. In addition to what was said above, I find they can get hotter than incandescents. I like halogens except they can get extremly hot. So, I'm careful where I put them. Not in a lamp that can tip over for instance. We are very slowly converting to LED's. They are still expensive, but every once in a while you can find a good sale on them.
ReplyDeleteLike the price I found them at Walmart, $2.88 for two. That's not too bad.
DeleteWe have LED lights in the caravan and several at home..
ReplyDeleteDo you like them?
DeleteI like LED's when they have some kind of shade around them. Otherwise, they can seem too bright.
DeleteI'm totally with you on those crappy bulbs. And we had no better luck with LEDs for the longest time. When we were having a new kitchen installed, one blew out before the contractor finished the job! My partner recently found something new that will hopefully last but they weren't cheap. Best of luck, my dear.
ReplyDeleteWe'll see on the halogens. They are cheaper than LEDS and at least, no mercury to worry about.
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