Courant.com: To Readers, CFLs Were Topic That Shone Brightest In’07
Filed under: Earth911 - December 30, 2007
Light bulbs, razor blades, eyeglasses and identity theft products were among the topics that resonated most with readers in 2007.
Spending Smart is fortunate to receive avid responses—compliments and criticisms. Of the 300 or so reader e-mails and phone calls received during 2007, here are topics that readers seemed to care about most:
- CFLs. By far, the most popular topic of the year was switching light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs. The main advice is to swap in CFLs for your five most-frequently-used, but not dimmable lights. Today’s fluorescent lights are smaller and of better quality than those of a generation ago. Every product that runs on energy has two price tags—the upfront purchase price and the operating cost. CFLs win on both counts.CFLs last eight to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs, making them cheaper to buy in the long run. And throughout its life, a CFL uses a quarter of the electricity of a traditional bulb. Each bulb will save you at least $30 over its lifetime, compared with incandescent bulbs, according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates. The bottom line is that consumers are wasting money by purchasing traditional bulbs for all of their fixtures. In fact, it can pay to remove perfectly good incandescent bulbs and replace them with CFLs.
Find the best deals on Energy Star-certified CFLs in multipacks at discount and home-improvement stores. If you’re just starting to switch, avoid replacing bulbs in dimmable fixtures. Even special dimmable CFLs are still inferior to incandescents for many people.
Be aware that CFLs contain a tiny amount of mercury, so avoid disposing of CFLs in the household trash if better options exist. Find out your disposal options at www.earth911.org (type in “fluorescent bulbs” and your ZIP code under “Find a Recycling Center”) or by calling 1-877-EARTH911. Save your receipts from CFL purchases because warranties on CFLs are long, sometimes five years or more.
- Razor blades. Readers seemed fascinated by the theory that razor blade dullness stems more from oxidation—microscopic rusting—than from contact with whiskers. Water that sits on blades between shaves causes corrosion that makes the blade’s edge blunted and jagged. That results in blades pulling and tearing hairs instead of cleanly slicing through them, forcing the user to replace the blade.The solution, seemingly, is to thoroughly dry the blades after each use. Anecdotal evidence, and at least one study, suggest that drying blades can vastly improve their longevity. Dry the blades by vigorously shaking off water droplets, or even blow-drying the blades for a few seconds.
- Happiness. The most heartfelt reader responses came after a column that argued you can, in fact, buy happiness. Do that by spending discretionary money on experiences—vacations, attending live events and visiting friends—rather than buying more stuff.Research shows that memories of experiences are very durable. And they become better with age because of mental editing. That’s where we remember the good parts of an experience and the bad ones fade.
The main test goes something like this: Does your expenditure involve interacting with someone you care about? Your money will make you happier when the answer is yes.
2 Responses to “Courant.com: To Readers, CFLs Were Topic That Shone Brightest In’07”
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Nothing seems to be easier than seeing someone whom you can help but not helping.
I suggest we start giving it a try. Give love to the ones that need it.
God will appreciate it.