Global Cooling Lightbulbs

The lamestream media told you:
"The European Union is looking to join other parts of the world in efforts to slash energy consumption by pushing for an increased use of energy saving lightbulbs," according to an AP story with no byline.

The news comes following saturation coverage of U.S. efforts to promote energy efficient compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs, along with proposals to eventually outlaw traditional incandescent bulbs, and plans by WalMart to slash prices of the normally exorbitant CFs.

The entire program is a spinoff of now-discredited global whining theories being pushed by politicians, though it would save consumers money.

The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
When price-cuts first began appearing for CFs, the Uninvited Ombudsman bought batches of them because they use four times less power and should reduce his electrical bills, he said, a wonderful motivation and free market solution to high energy costs, with no criminal penalties needed to spur action.

About the same time, energy rates increased, wiping out any savings, and in fact monthly electric bills went up.

The bulbs however do not get anywhere near as hot as regular bulbs, a real asset here in the Arizona desert. They are also supposed to last five to eight years, another asset helping to offset their cost which is 16 times higher, or five times higher on sale. To offset the higher costs, the Ombudsman bought stock in the firms that make the bulbs.

Using the bulbs however reveals that: 1 - They are not as bright so you work in dimmer conditions unless you increase wattage; 2 - They are larger so they do not fit in many existing fixtures; 3 - They do not work at all in fixtures with dimmers or 3-way switches, and perhaps worst of all; 4 - They are loud.

After several hours of use they begin to buzz, and the buzz increases over time, making them a poor choice for a desk lamp or other use where you will be near the bulb. This is only a problem, however, if you prefer peace and quiet over the incessant drone of buzzing fluorescent lightbulbs.

Although the Uninvited Ombudsman rarely makes predictions, here's one: After everyone switches over to efficient CFs at great expense, zero-heat extremely efficient brilliant LED lights, like the tiny ones now appearing in flashlights, will be "perfected" for home fixtures and replace the CFs. "It's another opportunity to buy stock," he said.

Tags: lightbulbs, energy consumption, European Union, fluorescent bulbs, WalMart