Popp

The bulb was gone, and with it, a good piece of history: it was one of the last remaining good old incandescent light bulbs. Oh, how I hate to see them go! The modern, “energy saving” fluorescent lamps have a very questionable overall ecologic value (given they are full of electronics, toxic substances and some heavy metals). They tend to give a greenish light rather than a comfortable warm one, and take minutes to reach the full brightness.

At this point, nothing and nobody stops me from stockpiling huge amounts of incandescent light bulbs in all wattages, shapes, clear or matt, with bayonet socket (UK) or a regular E14 or E27, … The world of light bulbs is my oyster!

Or, is it? I cannot really ignore the argument of 60 watts (incandescent) compared to 12 (fluorescent). Not now, when folks meet in Copenhagen, agree to cut CO2 emissions, and probably plan to build a couple new nuclear power stations to fill the gap with “clean” energy.

I don’t need to tell you where the madness lies in this, but in terms of replacement light bulbs, I am defeated. At least, I notice that they do get better in terms of start-up performance and colour temperature.

Bye Bye, Thomas Alva Edison!

First, the smallest of these is as big as a regular sized traditional bulb, and most models are still the size of a balloon.
Second, even the cheap ones still cost a great deal more than "proper ones."
Third, they are nowhere near as bright as a real bulb even within the acclaimed wattage equivalent.
Forth, they make a green-ish light, even the more recent models with less green spectrum. 
Fifth, they aren’t instant on.
Sixth, they don’t support half of what proper bulbs do (dimming, colouring, electronic switching).
Seventh, they cannot be disposed through the household rubbish (glass shatters and needs depressurizing, fluorescent coating is poisonous).
Eighth, significant more energy is required to make them than traditional bulbs.
Ninth, these bulbs contain electronics with all the usual concerns about recycling, or the lack of recycling methods, for these.

Sounds like a pretty rubbish solution to me – except for the makers of energy savings light bulbs.

I  was tempted and bought a new one recently. Contemplating all the above I am in favour of considerate use of the light switch, combined with a good old 60W or 100W bulb. I imagine the net result on the environment should not be worse.

Anyone ready to convince me otherwise?