Politics even affects light bulb choice.

[zephyrprime]

My complaint about these CFLs is the lifespan is not as long as they claim. These things die faster than the old light bulbs imo. For the price they are not cost effective to replace because of this. Also in cold weather climates they take a couple minutes to come to full brightness. Goign into my garage I may as well bring a flashlight when lookign through the outside freezer for food. Because when it is 10 degrees out there the light takes about 3-4 mins before it is bright enough to see anything.

I have used many cfls for the last 10 years and they definitely do not last as long as claimed but they still last much longer than incandescent. Also, cfl is not indicated for outdoor use and never have been. Use LED instead in those cases.

 

[xBiffx]

I don't buy CFL's for the same reason I won't buy a hybrid. Next to buying a hybrid, buying CFL's have to be one of the most pretentious things you can do. Owners of both show they care little about actually improving the environment and more about making themselves look good. The use of mercury and nickle in either of these far offset any reduction in energy and therefore the minuscule environmental impact of that reduction.

Also, I think that the voting I do with my wallet is far more productive and creates more of an impact than the voting I do at the ballot. So when I see any messaging on packing or in advertising that I don't agree with I sure as shit go out of my way to not "vote" for that product and further support that message. The OP is a complete hack for calling this irrational. Man up and just admit you don't like it and there is nothing irrational at all about it. Its rationality and intelligence that is helping to make this decision, not irrationality.

 

[WHAMPOM]

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/04/26/1218453110

While most of the outcomes of this study are in the 'no duh' category, one really sticks out. Basically consumers were given a choice between CFL light bulbs and regular ones at various price points. When price, etc was equal, everyone chose basically the same light bulb. (no duh, right?)

The interesting part came from when a 'save the environment' sticker was put on some of the light bulb packaging. In this case conservatives were less likely to purchase it even when all other things were equal. Conservatives were willing to subvert their own preferred purchase in order to demonstrate their dislike for anti-carbon emissions ideology. In a light bulb that nobody will use but them. That nobody else will even notice they were using. To their financial detriment.

That is mighty irrational.

Incandescent and CFL are both old and wasteful technology, LEDs and switch mounted transformer/diode (Ac to DC) as energy saving wiring should be mandatory.

 

[K1052]

Incandescent and CFL are both old and wasteful technology, LEDs and switch mounted transformer/diode (Ac to DC) as energy saving wiring should be mandatory.

That's great for new construction designed with that in mind but there is a whole lot of existing building stock out there. Eventually LED replacement will entirely supplant CFLs as their prices continue to fall with commercial adoption.

The new commercial builds we're designing won't have a florescent or incandescent fixture in the whole place.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Not sure why this is surprising. People do irrational things every day based on stupid things.
I think there was a study about posting calorie intake at fast food joints in NYC that had zero effect on consumption a couple years back.

Personally I buy the new light bulbs regardless of stickers or price. But I am also a conservationalist at heart. I try to use as little water and energy as possible.

My complaint about these CFLs is the lifespan is not as long as they claim. These things die faster than the old light bulbs imo. For the price they are not cost effective to replace because of this. Also in cold weather climates they take a couple minutes to come to full brightness. Goign into my garage I may as well bring a flashlight when lookign through the outside freezer for food. Because when it is 10 degrees out there the light takes about 3-4 mins before it is bright enough to see anything.

Frequent on/off cycles and cold kill CFLs quick as hell. Better to use incandescent bulbs for lighting in little used areas and unheated buildings. LEDs are getting brighter, cheaper, save your money for when the price goes down.

 

[Genx87]

I have used many cfls for the last 10 years and they definitely do not last as long as claimed but they still last much longer than incandescent. Also, cfl is not indicated for outdoor use and never have been. Use LED instead in those cases.

Same thing happens indoors though not as bad. I wont drop that kind of money on an LED for the inside garage light. And i dont think they last any longer than incandescent bulbs. In many cases it felt like they lasted less.

 

[irishScott]

I don't really see an issue. Liberals also tried to boycott Chik-fil-a for similarly bullshit reasons. I also buy American-made products when possible for political reasons, even though it's technically to my financial detriment.

The NVision CFLs I bought 7 years ago and use (indoors) on a daily basis are still going strong, but then again those aren't bottom-shelf CFLs.

I buy CFLs because they legitimately save me money and I get a feel-good sensation from the lesser environmental impact. As LED bulbs get ever lower in price I'll likely switch to those as the CFLs die. Besides, aren't incandescent bulbs going to become illegal to produce next year or something?

 

[Genx87]

Frequent on/off cycles and cold kill CFLs quick as hell. Better to use incandescent bulbs for lighting in little used areas and unheated buildings. LEDs are getting brighter, cheaper, save your money for when the price goes down.

Seems like a bad plan to sell home consumers a light bulb that suffers from frequent on\off cycles.

 

[irishScott]

Seems like a bad plan to sell home consumers a light bulb that suffers from frequent on\off cycles.

I think a lot of people here are cheapskates, and then demonize an entire product genre when they get what they paid for. This is hardly the first thread about such things.

 

[Pens1566]

All my experience with CFLs has been that they definitely last longer. Including those used outdoors for extended periods of time.

 

[ivwshane]

So in summary; conservatives can be manipulated by stickers. Got it.

 

[xBiffx]

So in summary; conservatives can be manipulated by stickers. Got it.

And liberals can complain about anything, especially what others decide what's best for themselves. You got it.

 

[Screech]

A company that puts a viewpoint on some political issue on its product, even if that product is identical, would seem more likely, logically, to support that side of said issue, perhaps even to the point of donating money in its support.

If you don't support that viewpoint, why would you donate money to your opponents?

If I could buy a chicken that said "bush and cheney 2000" or one that didn't, why would I take the risk that I am donating money to my political opponents when I can buy an identical one that does not outwardly appear to carry that risk?

Seem pretty logical to me tbh.

 

[WHAMPOM]

That's great for new construction designed with that in mind but there is a whole lot of existing building stock out there. Eventually LED replacement will entirely supplant CFLs as their prices continue to fall with commercial adoption.

The new commercial builds we're designing won't have a florescent or incandescent fixture in the whole place.

What I envision would be an easy retrofit. With a little rewiring you can run low voltage to multiple LED fixtures from a new transformer/diode/switch.

 

[ivwshane]

And liberals can complain about anything, especially what others decide what's best for themselves. You got it.

And what does that have to do with the topic?

 

[monovillage]

Anyone that does any shopping frequently sees low quality, crappy packaged goods that sell for more money, but promise to donate some small portion of the proceeds to an eco-aware group. Only the gullible and progressives are stupid enough to spend extra money on lower quality products so they can feel better about themselves. Conservative shoppers having seen this kind of scam for decades usually avoid these "eco-stickered" items.

 

[fskimospy]

Anyone that does any shopping frequently sees low quality, crappy packaged goods that sell for more money, but promise to donate some small portion of the proceeds to an eco-aware group. Only the gullible and progressives are stupid enough to spend extra money on lower quality products so they can feel better about themselves. Conservative shoppers having seen this kind of scam for decades usually avoid these "eco-stickered" items.

lol. It is truly impressive to see just how far you guys are willing to twist yourselves to generate a version of reality where this was anything other than an irrational aversion to oppositional political messaging.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

I'm going to bake cookies and serve them in 'Save Marriage' paper napkins.

 

[woolfe9998]

All my experience with CFLs has been that they definitely last longer. Including those used outdoors for extended periods of time.

I didn't have a problem with CFL's when we replaced all our bulbs with them at my previous residence. Not in terms of longevity. When we moved they were still going strong at 3-4 years. However, we did sometimes get this weird crackling/popping noise coming from them.

 

[Pens1566]

I didn't have a problem with CFL's when we replaced all our bulbs with them at my previous residence. Not in terms of longevity. When we moved they were still going strong at 3-4 years. However, we did sometimes get this weird crackling/popping noise coming from them.

I've never encountered that. The 'worst' thing to me is the time it takes to get to full illumination. However, I think that's a bonus in situations like a master bath when you're turning it on first thing in the morning or middle of the night. You don't get insta-blinded. There are bulbs that don't have this issue as well for situations where you don't want that behavior.

 

[Ryan]

I bought a bulk amount of Walmart Great Value CFLs in the mid 2000's (IIRC, about 20) - they have survived three house moves. Two weeks ago, I noticed the one of them died. I don't remember any of them ever dying - I have been really surprised they lasted this long.

3 years ago I did the same thing with some new LEDs - I bought outdoor 4 spot lights and 10 indoor replacements for regular bulbs. None have failed.

Anyway - as a progressive independent, I buy them because they last longer and use less energy.

 

[FerrelGeek]

lol. It is truly impressive to see just how far you guys are willing to twist yourselves to generate a version of reality where this was anything other than an irrational aversion to oppositional political messaging.

Good lord! With all the head-spinning rationalization the libs do these days????!!! We used to recycle in the town we lived in several years ago until we found out that the trash company just dumped the 'orange bin' goodies in with the rest of the trash. Idiots still insisted on paying extra for the recycling in spite of the facts. I did actually respect you at one time. You've devolved to just another one of the witless libertrolls on here.

 

[fskimospy]

Good lord! With all the head-spinning rationalization the libs do these days????!!! We used to recycle in the town we lived in several years ago until we found out that the trash company just dumped the 'orange bin' goodies in with the rest of the trash. Idiots still insisted on paying extra for the recycling in spite of the facts. I did actually respect you at one time. You've devolved to just another one of the witless libertrolls on here.

That's terrible to hear as I have always strenuously courted the opinion of people who would use phrases like 'witless libertrolls'.

 

[xBiffx]

However, I think that's a bonus in situations like a master bath when you're turning it on first thing in the morning or middle of the night. You don't get insta-blinded.

Hands down, the best argument I have heard in favor of CFL's. This is an excellent point. I, for one, hate that feeling in the morning.

 

[blankslate]

/this

I try to buy green. But these CFL's are a joke! i think they are doing more harm then the old ones. they last a shorter time and cost 3x as much.

I baught a bunch of the old bulbs. i think i'm good for a year or two.

Go with LED bulbs in a couple of places that you use the light very often.

They are very pricey up front but the one I bought for my desk over 3 years ago is still running. It uses about as much energy or less than a CFL and after running almost everyday for 8-11 hours on average has probably not even hit 1/2 of the expect lifespan.

It has lasted long enough to become "obsolete"

When it fails or dims too much I'll replace it with this LED bulb
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-423244...e+philips+bulb
http://www.usa.lighting.philips.com/lightcommunity/trends/l-prize/

Here is a chart that compares incandescent, CFL and LED bulbs.

http://www.designrecycleinc.com/led comp chart.html

LED bulbs are pricier than CFL's but are a better solution overall.