On Sep 4, 3:52 pm, wrote:
In order to meet the demand to save energy the US government will be
adding a tax to the price of all lightbulbs, effective January 1,
2008. All bulbs will be charged one dollar per watt tax. Thus the
price of a 100 watt bulb will be about $101.00 (the one dollar is the
cost of the bulb itself). This tax will also be added to all
electrical appliances, tools, motors and other equipment. For
example, a toaster which generally draws 1250 watts will have a tax of
$1250 added to the price of the toaster. An electric range could cost
as much as $55,000. You will be required to pay this tax upon
purchase. As of 2010, all homes will be inspected and all remaining
and existing appliances and lights will also be taxed at the same rate
per watt.

Walter K.

Interesting troll?????

Heard something recently as part of an international radio broadcast
carried late at night by our local network that some European
countries are 'pulling back' on the requirement to to do away with non-
CF bulbs by mandating the use of CFLs.
..
Probably something of short term policy though; apparently the
availability of sufficient CF bulbs will be a problem.
Have previously read that Australia however is enacting or has enacted
legislation concerning the mandatory use of CF bulbs.

Personally am wondering about misplaced enthusiasm; everyone jumping
on the 'Use CFLs' bandwagon even though they have no concept of
wattage and electrical consumption versus longer term issues.

Our local municipality for example classifies dud CFLs as 'hazardous
waste', in the same category as those 48 inch fluorescent tubes and
instructs its trash collectors not to take them. Not that anyone would
notice one or two CFLs buried in bag of garbage! Also asked one of
the staff at the regional land fill who agreed that technically CFLs
and fluorescent tubes were hazardous and should treated accordingly;
but also commented that when a truck or dumpster comes in (every
minute or two) "We can't and don't monitor everything on it or in each
bag of garbage"!

But surely there a many other aspects of electrical use in our
societies that could be reviewed. Too many street lights, on all
night? Is it necessary to floodlight buildings at night? During WWII
for example it was amazing what savings/economies could effected.

Possibly CF lamps will have a one time effect/reduction in the amount
of electricity consumed, which will be hailed as a success and proof
that it's the right decision? But their manufacture may have heavier
than expected effects on the environment, due to the mercury they
contain, the electronic components used. At least they are supposed
to last some 5 times longer while using less electricity?

A neighbour has gone almost entirely CFL; installing them in locations
(at cost of several dollars each), where they will rarely be switched
on! For example a rarely used basement storeroom! And claims an
undefined saving in electricity; but this has been during recent
mainly non heating summer months. Be interesting once winter comes
since the neighbours have, like many homes here, electric heating
mainly generated by hydro.

It does makes sense to use CFLs in outdoor locations (although they
don't always work best in cold climates?) where the wasted heat will
not be recovered and some may be on for long periods overnight.
Conventional (incandescent) bulbs in this home contribute heat to our
residence which directly offsets the electric heating; so it is not
really wasted. Our bathroom is partially heated by the six 40 watt
conventional bulbs (cost 25 cents each) which are only switched on
when bathroom is in use. Most of the time the 500 watt baseboard
heater rarely comes on!

Have just installed a motion detector light using two 75 watt
conventional bulbs that come on virtually instantly, over where our
vehicle is parked. But it is of course a more complicated gadget and
will ultimately not last as long as a plain old switch while using
electricity for only the few minute periods it will be on. It comes on
maybe a couple of times a night, for about six-ten minutes if/when a
neighbour drops by.

Interesting discussion. I must fix that vintage oil lamp by installing
a new wick, just in case, by the way.