The Church Of Climatology is at it again
The sale of halogen bulbs which are used in millions of homes could be banned as early as next year as part of the EU’s energy-saving drive.
It follows the prohibition of traditional incandescent bulbs, which have been phased out in an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Millions of halogen bulbs are sold in Britain every year, often for use in kitchen and bathroom spotlights. Any ban could consequently cause enormous inconvenience.
The European Commission and green campaigners say halogens are not much more efficient than traditional bulbs so should be replaced by energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs – known as CFLs – and LEDs.
Yet these alternatives can be as much as 15 times more expensive. There is the additional problem that some LEDs do not work with the dimmer switches and wiring circuits currently used by halogen bulbs, while CFLs can take up to five minutes to reach full brightness.
The Commission is scheduled to hold a vote in April as to whether they will ban the bulbs or not. We can all be pretty sure that they will vote to ban, which would take effect in 2016, or they could hold off the ban till 2018. The very fact that they are considering an alternate date should immediately let you know that this will pass.
Halogens are slightly better in saving power than incandescents, but not as good as LEDs and CFLs. They are used in automobiles as headlamps, providing excellent visibility, as well as for floodlights and watercraft. They are used in those little light pens doctors carry around. Heating elements in halogen ovens. Stage lighting. They’ve been adapted for homes.
They are also less expensive than LEDs and CFLs. And contain no mercury, as CFLs do. As for LEDs
But LEDs do have a dark side. A study published in late 2010 in the journal Environmental Science and Technology found that LEDs contain lead, arsenic and a dozen other potentially dangerous substances.
Personally, I avoid halogens, because they get much hotter than incandescents, CFLs, and LEDs. Adding heat inside is the last thing you want during a North Carolina summer. I usually purchase CFLs when possible, except for one lamp in which I use a 3 way bulb, and a few others which require specialty bulbs, such as the bulbs over the bathroom sinks, and a bug repellent one for the back door. But, that is my choice. Complete freedom of choice is apparently OK when it comes to abortion, but not light bulbs.
And all because of Hotcoldwetdry.
I can’t get outraged at this. While I dislike the government telling people what they have to do, I really hate cfls. They do a visual version of ‘buzzing’ that annoys the crap out of me. The sooner they are gone, the better. Long fluorescent bulbs, oddly enough don’t bother me at all.
LEDs are awesome and cost effective if you pick them up at Newegg.com on sale.
The government telling us what we can buy for a screwy reason. No. If we want to waste energy and pay the bill, why not? How come the government isn’t banning 2nd homes or homes with sq footage larger than 2K sq ft? We know why. It’s all about our betters feeling better about themselves by screwing with the little people.
Ok good point. RobM is right.
Our esteemed host wrote:
For the left, freedom of choice applies only to abortion.