tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772684199114598935.post788399420079441059..comments2010-04-30T19:57:17.217-07:00Comments on Public Policy and the Environment: Lights Out for Inefficient Incandescent BulbsErin C. Mewhinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15645039216748292890noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772684199114598935.post-86283199477301690832010-04-30T13:59:15.664-07:002010-04-30T13:59:15.664-07:00Currently, the CFL bulbs are subsidized. At McGuck...Currently, the CFL bulbs are subsidized. At McGuckin hardware, Home Depot and a few other stores, Xcel energy pays to subsidize the up-front cost. Currently, you can buy the bulbs at the subsidized cost of only $1 for up to a 100 watt-equivalent bulb, maybe SLIGHTLY more expensive than incandescents. Also, at this price you will have almost saved the upfront cost of the bulb in energy savings by your next bill!Colin McCaulleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14150683951786845508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772684199114598935.post-53642417281746943012010-04-30T13:12:20.201-07:002010-04-30T13:12:20.201-07:00What Jennifer says is true, without subsidies or t...What Jennifer says is true, without subsidies or the internalization of negative externalities for incandescent bulbs, environmentally friendly alternatives will continued to be passed over.Taylor Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324547664339687779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772684199114598935.post-90310304834583166052010-04-26T11:32:20.085-07:002010-04-26T11:32:20.085-07:00While incandescent light bulbs are far better for ...While incandescent light bulbs are far better for the environment in the long run, and they do end up saving money, I would have to agree that the initial cost of them is a severe deterrent, especially for low income families (and college students). I had my kitchen light blow the other night, and I bought incandescent light bulbs because I could get four for a dollar, which left me some money over to buy groceries for dinner. This is not an excuse, but it's sadly the truth. So long as people can get cheaper light in their house, they will continue to do it.Jennifer Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13647970071514116650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772684199114598935.post-34880745674463465242010-04-21T10:39:50.464-07:002010-04-21T10:39:50.464-07:00The price point and lack of education I think is a...The price point and lack of education I think is a big reason why people choose not to switch over. Regular light bulbs cost around fifty cents a piece while the new ones can cost two dollars or more. Consider a family who had three children and that was tight on money, it would be hard to invest the money in more efficient light bulbs. However, I switched all of my light bulbs to the more efficient ones but I am not supporting a family and can afford to since I am only supporting myself.Awshucks5https://www.blogger.com/profile/12000805057617502346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772684199114598935.post-38643370751406726042010-04-21T10:13:00.548-07:002010-04-21T10:13:00.548-07:00I agree with Jason in regards to cost and convenie...I agree with Jason in regards to cost and convenience. Also, I have a friend who works in the hotel industry and she told me that after making the switch to CFL's they have received an increasing number of complaints about the lights and how they seem to have to 'warm up' meaning they have to wait for the lights to reach their full brightness. While I am all for conserving energy and personally I don't mind waiting for the lights to 'warm up' I think that people should be allowed to express their own individual preferences. Ultimately I believe in economics and once the cost of the inefficient bulb outweighs the benefits of convenience and lower cost, people will make the switch.Rachel Ackermannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07511939856019163381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772684199114598935.post-68892685317154659302010-04-21T01:14:47.134-07:002010-04-21T01:14:47.134-07:00I agree with Jason that the main reasons people st...I agree with Jason that the main reasons people still prefer incandescent bulbs is the cost and convenience. I also believe a big marketing push is necessary to get the issue of energy efficient light bulbs in people's minds. We hear about recycling, hybrids, even stuff like EnergyStar and we think about that when making decisions. In my opinion energy efficient light bulbs are fairly obscure and many people do not know the benefits.Miguel Garibayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06025416841177336833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772684199114598935.post-79883175576661979202010-04-20T16:14:21.611-07:002010-04-20T16:14:21.611-07:00I do not think the reason people choose not to rep...I do not think the reason people choose not to replace their lightbulbs with CFL's is because they prefer to waste energy. They are significantly more expensive initially, and it is hard for some people to see that it may save them money in the long term. Also people may see it simply as a hassle that isnt worth saving a few cents, especially since they cannot be disposed of in the trash because of the mercury content. Maybe one suggestion to encourage people to make the switch is to subsidize the production of CFL's so the manufacturers can sell them for less.Jason Blairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860351429890979706noreply@blogger.com