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ELECTRICITY
By Peter Hodge
443 views
 Energy efficent bulb in action CREDIT: Peter Hodge |
 Energy efficent bulb in action CREDIT: Peter Hodge |
 Energy efficent bulb in action CREDIT: Peter Hodge |
 Thoughts on energy efficent bulbs? response from twitter CREDIT: Peter Hodge |
Energy efficent bulbs or not? Its your choice and your say.
Thursday 11 June 2009, 12:47PMBy Peter Hodge
443 views
Yesterday I received some energy efficient light bulbs from rightlight.govt.nz to try out as they launch their new campaign to promote the efficient light bulbs over the older more popular filament light bulbs.
Responding to research showing consumers want more impartial information on which to base lighting decisions, the Electricity Commission teamed up with Consumer NZ, the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority, Master Electricians and the Green Building Council to launch the Right Light programme.
“Many households and businesses are paying more than they need to in their power bills because they use inefficient lighting,” says David Caygill, Chair of the Electricity Commission.
While this may be true, many Kiwis still use less efficient ones for a variety of reasons and will continue to do so for a variety of reasons from light output to concerns around health issues because many of the new bulbs contain mercury.
While much research shines a positive light on the bulbs, there is nothing like real life experience to judge their popularity.
I asked twitter users for their opinions and experiences with energy efficient light bulbs and most of the response highlighted the difference between controlled study and real life experience.
kiwiseabreeze @peterhodge I'm always amazed at how many people love to discuss lightbulbs! More responses than any other topic...
GCollier @PeterHodge I think about it. But it wouldn't influence my decision.
OpalFox @PeterHodge I alway look at the wattage but more for light brightness than electricty usage
vavroom @PeterHodge I like energy efficient bulbs, BUT, they rarely last anywhere as long as claim. And also was a study of increased risk of fire
wendywings @PeterHodge we had several that blew up a long time before the projected date they should have, none on dimmers ,not cheap ones either
BuilderscrackNZ @PeterHodge I like efficient bulbs for the bathroom/ kitchen, but find the light less "warming" than conventional bulbs for living areas
00k @PeterHodge true; we had regular fails on the hall light - turned on and off once per day. Maybe a bad batch of bulbs- 00k @PeterHodge true; we had regular fails on the hall light - turned on and off once per day. Maybe a bad bstch of bulbs
juhasaarinen @PeterHodge Very happy with them - some have striplight colour temp, but others the same or better than incandescent. Don't break either.- OpalFox @PeterHodge The label said lasts for 8 years, mine exploded after a month all taking turns, luckly got some new free one, the jury is out
- 00k @PeterHodge Disappointed: have had several with a shorter life span than incandescent bulbs.
ericalloyd @PeterHodge Yes.They produce a rather unflattering light.
I can't help wonder if its not so much the amount of light rather the colour of the light the more efficient bulbs put out which is an issue. The rightlight.govt.nz site goes some way to explain that you need to select the right light for the right setting and @BuilderscrackNZ on twitter also made the point that using different lights in different rooms is a good idea.
Personally I am a fan of anything which will reduce electricity use and save money. I have my whole house kitted out in energy efficient bulbs, but have to admit I have had some bulbs blow within days of putting them in. But in all I am happy with them.
Consumer have recommended bulbs from their tests while rightlight.govt.nz also explain the many so called myths which were mentioned by the twitter users.
Fact #1: The tiny amount of mercury in a CFL is unlikely to pose health risks
Fact #2: CFLs emit extremely small amounts of ultraviolet radiation
Fact #3: Efficient lighting reduces the amount of mercury in the environment
Fact #4: Efficient lighting can save you a lot of money over time
Fact #5: There is a choice of efficient lights that look good and save you money
Fact #6: You can choose energy efficient bulbs to work on dimmers
Fact #7: Quality CFLs will last at least 6000 hours (and some last much longer)
Fact #8: Energy efficient lights come warm white colour tone as traditional incandescent light bulbs
Fact #9: Efficient bulbs pose no different or greater fire risk than standard incandescent bulbs
Fact #10: Efficient bulbs can reproduce colour as well as traditional incandescent light bulbs
Fact #11: Turning a light bulb on and off uses less energy than leaving it on
I would like to know whether the consumer study showed whether there was a different spectrum, types of light emitted by the different bulbs and how they eye reacts to the differences. This is touched on but I would like to know more detail.
The light bulb issue has had much media attention as the Green Party's efforts to have less efficient bulbs baned were thwarted by the National Government's decision to drop the proposed law change to ban less efficient light bulbs from being sold.
The most recent attention has come from a consumer study which debunks myths that more efficient bulbs put out less light. It would seem the life span issue is questionable in some bulbs, but this my be a case of one size does not fit all which is addressed on the rightlight.co.nz site.
Thanks to everyone for their input and thanks to rightlight.govt.nz for the bulbs. please feel free to add your view or message me on twitter.com/peterhodge