Free Energy Saving Lightbulb

joneeboy

Of course it is nonesense that bayonet cap (BC) light bulbs have stopped manufacture, or that there is any plan to stop making them. That is just ridiculous. BC type is the British Standard type of bulb for domestic use, and is used by many other countries too.
Neither is there any plan to introduce the Phillips type screw thread.
What HAS happened is that production of ALL DOMESTIC lightbulbs over 60watt size has ceased throughout the EU, and stores are only selling off existing stocks.
The deal with Poundland and other stores was not down to the bulb manufacturers. It was a Labour Government initiative in conjuction with the power companies, to get the bulbs into use quickly by making them affordable to many of us who shop at Pundland, 99p and simiar because we need to save money! There are still plenty of deals around according to various websites, but not necessarily for 10p each. I'm sure a few people can post some sources on here.
One I have not seen mentioned is IKEA, which has the tube economy type at 29p each. I don't want any more of them, because I have enough. I could do with some more of the round economy type, or those very small spiral type if any one knows a source. I bought a few for 33p each, in a local store, but they have sold out.

Tess

Are energy saving lightbulbs entirely safe?

bigwigtom

Rather ironically, many energy saving lightbulbs contain a small amount of mercury. It therefore makes sense to handle them carefully to avoid breakage. In the event that you break one, you should probably ventilate and leave the room for a bit, then thoroughly clean the area.

To quote Wikipedia:

"the Maine DEP study noted that it remains unclear what the health risks are from short-term exposure to low levels of elemental mercury. The Maine DEP study also confirmed that, despite following EPA best-practice cleanup guidelines on broken CFLs, researchers were unable to remove mercury from carpet, and agitation of the carpet—such as by young children playing—created spikes as high as 25,000 ng/m3 in air close to the carpet, even weeks after the initial breakage"

Also, it is not good for the environment to throw them in the regular rubbish (though if no one recycles them in your area, you don't have much choice!). In order to etch the frosting on the inside of the bulb, many manufacturers use acid, which can be environmentally damaging.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energyandwaterefficiencyinyourhome/DG_179919

Supposedly manufacturers and importers have an obligation to collect and recycle CFLs, though I have never seen any recycling facilities for this.

Now, it is worth noting that some manufacturers are starting to use amalgam (like teeth fillings!), which is a solid alloy of mercury, much more stable and less damaging to the environment (and no risk of vapour release in the case of breakage).

http://www.megaman.cc/global/greenroom/amalgam.php

I am not sure how widespread this use of amalgam is (I am only aware of Megaman using it currently), but there is that option if you are particularly concerned. NB. Expect to pay a premium for Megaman branded bulbs.

Despite these caveats, you will probably find an energy saving bulb is much safer in the long run, when you consider that normal bulbs are more breakable, and run much hotter. I have seen a hot incandescent bulb pop out of a bayonet fitting and land on someone's head, which didn't seem particularly safe! :mad:

princessmelody2009

My lightbulb never arrived