Cheaper than a Shrink

OK, maybe you - like me - suffer occasionally from the summer doldrums (people think I'm nuts, but honestly, while spring and fall rock my world, summer can make me consider bridge jumps).

Fortunately, however, I have come up with a cure for what ails me.  This summer, every day, I am going to try to do one thing that makes me feel like I'm making a little change for myself and the world (sounds suspiciously like the mission of this company, doesn't it?)

Seriously, though - it's bizarre.  What shopping therapy does for some, "green therapy" does for me. I can't explain to you how great I feel when I fill up my SIGG bottle or put in a faucet filter instead of buying a bottle of water.  I love saying "Oh no, I don't need a bag" at the drugstore.  I get completely weird satisfaction from putting my used ink cartridges in the mail and sending them back to the manufacturers.   I feel all warm and fuzzy when I look around my bathroom and realize that - with a few exceptions - I have a nearly paraben-free beauty habit. 

But I gotta say - changing those CFL bulbs takes the cake.

Try it. CHANGE at least ONE of your lightbulbs to a CFL version.  (Then go to Environmental Defense and let them know you did it - they are keeping track). It's amazing how good it makes you feel.  You unscrew the one, screw in the CFL version, turn it on (waiting that caught-breath half-a-beat waiting time that it takes the CFL to light up), and... drum roll...

Viola!  Instant feel-good.

They might be more expensive than regular lightbulbs - but think of it this way: even putting aside the fact that they pay for themselves in energy savings:

They are a LOT cheaper than therapy.

-Heather... off to thin the blossoms off my heirloom tomatoes...

Bookmark and Share
I was complementing myself for reading by the light of a CFL in my gooseneck lamp (task-lighting) when I realised that there was some gorgeous diffuse light entering the room from a nearby north-facing window.
CFLs do contain mercury but in very small amounts. The largest contributor of mercury to air pollution are coal-fired power plants. By using CFLs, you reduce our need for the coal power plants and thus reduce the amount of mercury in the air, helping protect both environmental and public health. So, CFLs are definately better than incandescent for all the reasons stated previously but it is key not to break them. There is only a small amount of mercury in the bulb, but if it breaks it cannot be readily cleaned-up as the mercury is in a vapor form. There are CFLs that contain less mercury than others, so look for those if you are particularly worried. And otherwise, just treat them with care and dispose of them properly (www.earth911.org) and its not an problem.
We have tried CFLs since they were first on the market. Unfortunately, I have severe tinitus (ringing in the ears) and have yet to find a CFL that does not drive me crazy with buzzing. I buy the best long life incandescents I can find, and I do keep hoping . . .
As my husband and I traveled (in our fuel efficient car) to visit my mom, I was thrilled that the hotels at which we stayed used CFL bulbs. Yes, I have written the upper managements to thank them. We stayed one night with my best buddy, and the bulb in her bedside reading lamp was burned out. We just left things as they were (she's got a very tough workload, and few guests.) If there had been time, I would have gifted her with a CFL bulb, but maybe next trip.
Hi - Does anyone know if or when CFL's have a dimmer version? Thanks
I know that www.EnvironmentalLights.com has a very nice selection of dimmable CFL's. They also carry a large selection of LEDs for directional lighting.
I recently changed all the bulbs in my apartment to CFL's and they emit the same amount of lighting that I had with the old incandescent bulbs. If I didn't know I have CFL's, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I haven't received my first power bill yet, but I have no doubt that I'll notice a big difference within the first few months. Now I just have to convince my condo association to change all the bulbs in the hallways... :) Wish me luck!
I am a lighting specialist and have been for 16 years. Screw-in CFL's are but one choice in energy saving lighting now available. CFLs with electronic ballasts (power supply) are lighter weight, instant-on, and silent. Buy the major brands, Philips, GE, & Osram-Sylvania for the best color and life. Incandescent color is in the 3000 Kelvin range, daylight is in the 5000 Kelvin range. Look for CRI (color rendering index) of 82 or higher, CRI loosly translates to color accuracy so a CRI of 82 is approximately 82% color accurate. Look for 10,000 hour life, minimum. For best results, buy new fixtures that incorporate fluorescent light sources. Ruud makes several excellent outdoor fixtures. Pay more for a fixture and get a fixture that is 1) easier to install; 2) produces more light per watt or is more efficient. 3) produces a specific beam pattern suitable to your needs. 4) is easy to re-lamp. 5) is esthetically more pleasing. Waldmann makes excellent desk lamps designed for business use. I have had mine for 10 years. My Waldman uses 2 - 9 watt tubes and replaces my 100 watt swing-arm lamp. The light is glare free and does not interfere with computer monitor images. The arm locks and has never sagged. Many manufacturers make LED desk lamps which are the most efficient available. Ask to take one on approval to use in your home to see if you like the light quality. Feel free to reply with questions. Lighting is important and more so with the large number of older Americans who need up to 20 times more light than 20 year olds.
I have several lamps that take a 3-way bulb. I have not found any 3-way CFLs. Is it alright to put in a 1-way CFL or better yet where can I find a 3-way CFL if they make such a thing yet?
Philips and GE for 3 way CFLs Each has a web site. A one wattage CFL will work, you will have to turn switch twice to energize.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <font> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <p> <br> <img>

More information about formatting options