The unthinkable

Sunday I actually put myself at risk for mercury contamination. No, I didn’t go out and buy a mess of fish to eat (since ribs don’t have mercury I think I’m safe); instead I actually bought CFL light bulbs. I figured since Giant was doing a buy one get two free sale I may as well get some – so now I’m expecting a $5 a month electric bill next winter. I just haven’t figured out where to put them yet.

The problem I have is that I spend the predominant part of my awake time at work, but when I’m not there I’m generally in here typing away and the lamp in this room has a 3-way bulb. Same goes for my living room lamp. So I suppose those two rooms are out.

I could put one of the bulbs in my bedroom lamp, but it brings up another question. Since I have a lamp there that doesn’t recommend using a bulb that’s over 60 watts, can I put a 100-watt CFL there? Supposedly it gives the 100 watts of light on just 26 watts but would that be an issue because of heat? I figured for the price I may as well get the highest watts of light I could, since they were all the same cost.

There are a couple other places I could put the bulbs, one being the laundry closet. I have a bad habit sometimes of forgetting the dryer is running or that my washer is finished with its cycle so I usually leave that light on full-time when I do laundry as a reminder to myself to check (I notice the light shining through the louvered door into the hallway.) But if I somehow manage to break the bulb how would I ventilate the room since there’s no window? And would it contaminate any clothes which happen to be in there?

So I have these bulbs but I’m not sure just what to do with them, besides eat the discount I could have received had I bought the bulbs at other outlets (courtesy of Delmarva Power and paid for as part of my electric bill each month.) I’m not sure if I can put them in my bathroom fixtures because of moisture and I’m pretty sure they can’t go outside because of the vagaries of Delmarva weather so scratch that thought.

I guess they’ll just have to look interesting in my closet until I figure all of this out, or unless someone wants to buy some CFL bulbs cheap. Given that Giant still had a whole bunch of them still in stock that may be a long shot, at least until next week. I’m still expecting that $5 a month electric bill though.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.

3 thoughts on “The unthinkable”

  1. I hope this is tongue-in-cheek. If not, you’re really overthinking things. Most of our bulbs are CFL (bought not because of the environmental benefit but because of the long-term cost savings) and we have them outside and in the bathroom with no problem. Also, they don’t emit any noticeable heat, so your concern about your bedroom light is misplaced.

    So use away, save some money, and (possibly) help the environment.

  2. I don’t mind buying these bulbs when I can find them at a discount price. But the package says they should be on for at least 15 minutes before turning them off. How many times do you quickly need a light for just a minute to pick up something you need, from a bedroom, or bathroom, or wherever? I’m flickin’ mine off when I’m done. I suppose my electric bill will be slightly lower, but in only a 1450 sq. ft. home, I’m not expecting miracles. And I DEFINITELY don’t need the government telling me what light bulbs I can and can NOT buy!

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