Shoutbox

I usually don't use the forum to spread ideals which I believe in, but I also am not usally the kind of guy who cares much about the environnement; laziness is to blame.

On Earth day, which was a little while back, I decided to take a little resolution which seemed to not ask that much efforts, but also helps both me and the environnement.

The resolution was to change all of the house's light bulbs to CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lights) bulbs, an action which would take about an hour of my time, a little of my paycheck, but something that would mostly help keeping the earth a  little greener by lowering my house's power comsomption and getting my electricity bills to also drop.

So I went to Reno-Depot, expecting to pay around 50$, which turned out to only be 28$ taxes included, for 12 bulbs; which were enough to change all of my basement (yeah, I might need about 5 more for upstairs). I installed them coming back from work, to notice that it is true what they say: they do look whiter.

For the people who don't know much about CFL (including myself) here are some of the benifits :

http://www.onebillionbulbs.com/Learn

Anyways, the cool part of the story is :
I'm telling my friend about me changing the bulbs, and he asks me if I got the rebate from Hydro Quebec, so I; suprised, asked what he's talking about until he points me to this : http://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/eclairage/...uocompactes_en.pdf

It basically gives you 50% back of your CFL purchases up to 25$ in an in mail.
So if I do get another box of 12 (which would actually be too much for me really, but let's say I do) I would only have payed 28$ taxes in, and will have changed the lights, which are guarenteed to last 7 years, and average a saving of 677$ for 12 bulbs.

A briefer story : 28$ to help lower power comsumption, change 24 lights in your house for 7 years, while maintaining the electric bill lower. And you're helping the planet.

What are you waiting for?!

we don't have a single old bulb thingy since like forever... srsly... there's a 10 or more year old CFL bulb somewhere here...

I have mostly CFLs, but I also recognize that obsession with switching to CFLs is attacking the problem the wrong way.  The CFL reduction in energy consumption and consecutively greenhouse gases is nothing compared to industrial and vehicle emissions.  That is where the real difference is going to be made.

I am not going to argue against the notion that "every little bit counts", but something to keep in mind is that, if you live in a fully electric home (electric heating/AC, electric stove) like I do, lighting is probably less than 5% of your total electricity usage regardless what bulbs you have.  You could realize much greater energy savings by upgrading your windows and outer wall insulation -- which might mean moving and paying more for your new home.

I pay more for "green" electricity (wind generated, they say).  My power company tells me on every bill how much it helps the environment, using several criteria -- one of which is car miles not driven.  On my last bill, my "car miles not driven" were around 135 (~215 km) for the month.  That's a whole month of total electricity usage, on which CFLs have made no more than 5% difference.  Assuming they are right in their calculations, I can help the Earth more by making one fewer trip to the grocery store every month than I can by switching to CFLs.

The point is we are focusing on the wrong things -- things which at best are going to dent the total greenhouse gas emissions by a fraction of a percent globally.  Meanwhile, we are not doing anything about the big culprits (because doing something about those would mean lost profits for big business and lifestyle sacrifices for everyone).

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Originally posted by Adeptus
The point is we are focusing on the wrong things -- things which at best are going to dent the total greenhouse gas emissions by a fraction of a percent globally.  Meanwhile, we are not doing anything about the big culprits (because doing something about those would mean lost profits for big business and lifestyle sacrifices for everyone).

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You may be right, but my point is only about how easy this can be to do.. Cars are still a complicated issue.. At least to me it is.. Yet these light bulbs are simply easy and can be adopted by anyone right now.

I agree with your point, but I think the light bulb is a fast, easy and simple act to take, comparably to the car issue which is do-able, but a little more energy demanding for people who are a little lazier and don't care that much. This lighting thing affects everyone, and everyone needs light, so might as well.

I mentioned this in a thread before.. Someone was going on about how they can't do much now because everything is too expensive and they expected the government to help them out. Yet doing something small like this not only helps the environment but helps you save money to. There are so many things you can do that will save you money in the long run. Most people just are too lazy.

* Phillip edits

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Originally posted by Phillip
Most people just aren't too lazy.

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I have energy saving bulbs in a few of my rooms I guess I aren't too lazy

I simply just don't turn lights on. But I do have CFL's in my kitchen light fixture when needed.

I'll have a proper look at that rebate thing. Our entire house is lighted by those bulbs (except my room, can't. It's complicated =p).

edit: This is the reason:

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Originally posted by SonicSam
I already switched .

However my room still has the old bulb, because there is no Fluorescent Dimmer lights...yet?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimmer

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Yeh, we've had those bulbs for at least 5 years now, theres one in every room, and 2 in mine

I already switched .

However my room still has the old bulb, because there is no Fluorescent Dimmer lights...yet?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimmer