Environmental Stewardship
Energy News
They’re converts to compact fluorescents
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When a light bulb burned out in Don and Edie Larkin’s garage, it was cause for celebration.
Not that the Larkins look forward to changing light bulbs. But it had been 5½ years since they installed that particular compact fluorescent lamp in their garage. The bulb – which costs more in the beginning but saves on energy bills in the long run – showed a proven return on their investment.
Since the Larkins have about 25 such bulbs throughout their Wenatchee home, the longevity of that bulb in their garage was a good sign.
Edie (shown in photo at left) phoned Chelan County PUD to ask how to dispose of compact fluorescent lamps, or bulbs, which contain a minute amount of mercury.
The bulb was the first one that burned out since they decided to use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) throughout their home, she said.
The Larkins are using energy-saving CFLs in nearly every fixture in their home. They can be found in the torchiere lamps in the living room, in the four-bulb/fan combo in a bedroom, in the fixture over the bathroom mirror, in the decorative hanging lamp from the Philippines in the dining room. And, of course, in the garage.
The Larkins say they don’t mind that some CFLs take a few seconds to warm up to full brightness. “It doesn’t bother us,” Don said. Adds Edie, “It’s not an issue.”
The Larkins are conservation minded and unconcerned about a little inconvenience. “We recycle everything we can,” Edie said. “Lots of times our garbage can is less than half full.”
Don is a retired utility worker from Boulder, Colo. He also worked in receiving at Safeway in Wenatchee for nine years. Edie is a retired surgical and office nurse. She worked 21 years for Dr. Terry Sorom before his retirement, then for two years at the Eye and Ear Clinic before her own retirement.
Related links
Power Switch: The New Energy Law Will Change Light Bulbs, Appliances and How We Save Electricity in the Home (Washington Post)
Any other bright ideas? A review of compact fluorescent and other new lighting (NY Times)