We're doing a "bulb run" today to stock up. There are plenty of bulb sizes/shapes which don't come as CFLs, but the useless hippy in charge probably doesn't know that.
OH he knows. I'm seeing CFLs come out in more and more sizes. The really cheap ones will be long but the smaller ones are there. It looks like the EU commissioner wants Ireland to try it out so they can see if its a good idea for the whole of the EU! Which means longer light shades will be fashionable for a while.
I think its a good idea. Of course, like everything to do with Irish politicians, they made a balls of the execution of it. FWIW we have been using CFL bulbs in our house for the last 2-3 years..and as @willknot says more and more shapes are now available.
We've been using CFLs for all main lights for years but have seen no improvements in lifespan with more advanced recessed spotlights. We also have tons of teeny weeny light-fittings that I have never seen a CFL replacement for.
@conoro: it may sound too geeky, but have a look at some LED bulbs. I bought two LED bulbs for different desklights and they are excellent. Slightly large, and a little expensive (close to eur10) but that was 1 year and abit ago. Found them in Maplin.
I didnt even look on the internet for any yet. Have a look and I'd guess you'll find what you need. Particularly German/anything from Asia also. Like willknott said just wait til you filament bulbs die. It does make sense in the end.
Nice idea James. Tbh, i dont see what all the fuss is about. The green party are just looking for some small ways to change people's mind on environmental issues-before they come in with the big one: banning Wii and cars! :)
@rgb- They'll announce plans and then implement them as incompetently as everything else they do. Shur won't it take 1000 consultant reports and 10 years before they can make the first move?
I'm a big fan of anything which reduces our dependence on oil but the lack of any intelligent impact analysis by most Greens is really shocking. The bio-fuel debacle in the US causing the cost of food to rise is just one of those. Tom Raftery has some great stuff on the blind belief in wind power too. Happy clappy doesn't solve problems.
@conoro: "Happy clappy doesn't solve problems" - completely right, but lets put it this way. Anything, however small, that may make people at least think about how they use/spend/waste energy/resources, in my books is a good idea.
A small example: in Pamplona, North Spain, a few years ago the local government went on a recycling education spree. Who did they educate? The children? No. The fathers, or teenagers? No.
They educated the mothers, becuase at the time (at probably still true) they were the people doing the housework at home. Who takes out the rubbish? The mothers. Who cleans up? The mothers.
I don't have any figures (can't find them now) on how long it took, but they now have a very high % of recycling of glass, paper, and other recyclable materials.
A small scheme, thought out well, and people changed.
The problem in Ireland is, they don't think about the schemes enough, as they don't have the skills - so they bring in 3 different consultant groups, who give 3 different pieces of advice (which they don't have to stand behind).
In the end they haven't a balls notion on how to do things, except kiss babies and talk.
The Greens, however misplanned their schemes, are slightly more planned than the rest of them.
Disclaimer: I did vote for a Green, but out of protest against the other "joke politicians".
Ditto here. I gave Quentin the vote because he is "New Green" rather than the old Looney Brigade (Typhoid McKenna and Co). OK, we'll forgive him the homeopathy. Quentin takes a business approach which is the only one that will ever work. I'd happily replace our poxy oil boiler with something based around some automated wood system if either I or the supplier was incentivised to. You need both the carrot and stick.
Looks really interesting Pat. I broached the pellet idea with Quentin but he says there are issues in an Irish context - there may be other wood systems which are better suited to Irish production conditions. Still, the "cabin" idea is dead cool!
20 comments so far
http://www.bulb.ie/ is taken. Does someone have a plan?
1 year, 10 months ago by WillKnott
We're doing a "bulb run" today to stock up. There are plenty of bulb sizes/shapes which don't come as CFLs, but the useless hippy in charge probably doesn't know that.
1 year, 10 months ago by conoro
OH he knows. I'm seeing CFLs come out in more and more sizes. The really cheap ones will be long but the smaller ones are there. It looks like the EU commissioner wants Ireland to try it out so they can see if its a good idea for the whole of the EU! Which means longer light shades will be fashionable for a while.
1 year, 10 months ago by WillKnott
I think its a good idea. Of course, like everything to do with Irish politicians, they made a balls of the execution of it. FWIW we have been using CFL bulbs in our house for the last 2-3 years..and as @willknot says more and more shapes are now available.
1 year, 10 months ago by runningwithbulls
We've been using CFLs for all main lights for years but have seen no improvements in lifespan with more advanced recessed spotlights. We also have tons of teeny weeny light-fittings that I have never seen a CFL replacement for.
1 year, 10 months ago by conoro
Does he want us all to landfill our light-fittings that don't suit his plan?
1 year, 10 months ago by conoro
Personally I'm waiting for my standard bulbs to blow before I change them.
1 year, 10 months ago by WillKnott
@conoro: it may sound too geeky, but have a look at some LED bulbs. I bought two LED bulbs for different desklights and they are excellent. Slightly large, and a little expensive (close to eur10) but that was 1 year and abit ago. Found them in Maplin.
1 year, 10 months ago by runningwithbulls
I didnt even look on the internet for any yet. Have a look and I'd guess you'll find what you need. Particularly German/anything from Asia also. Like willknott said just wait til you filament bulbs die. It does make sense in the end.
1 year, 10 months ago by runningwithbulls
Thinking this has the makings of a panel discussion at a possible future GreenCamp ;-)
1 year, 10 months ago by EirePreneur
Nice idea James. Tbh, i dont see what all the fuss is about. The green party are just looking for some small ways to change people's mind on environmental issues-before they come in with the big one: banning Wii and cars! :)
1 year, 9 months ago by runningwithbulls
I think it's a great idea. I'm banking on them announcing plans for Ireland to become the first biofuel & renewable energy only country.
1 year, 9 months ago by rgb
@rgb- They'll announce plans and then implement them as incompetently as everything else they do. Shur won't it take 1000 consultant reports and 10 years before they can make the first move?
I'm a big fan of anything which reduces our dependence on oil but the lack of any intelligent impact analysis by most Greens is really shocking. The bio-fuel debacle in the US causing the cost of food to rise is just one of those. Tom Raftery has some great stuff on the blind belief in wind power too. Happy clappy doesn't solve problems.
1 year, 9 months ago by conoro
@conoro: "Happy clappy doesn't solve problems" - completely right, but lets put it this way. Anything, however small, that may make people at least think about how they use/spend/waste energy/resources, in my books is a good idea.
A small example: in Pamplona, North Spain, a few years ago the local government went on a recycling education spree. Who did they educate? The children? No. The fathers, or teenagers? No.
They educated the mothers, becuase at the time (at probably still true) they were the people doing the housework at home. Who takes out the rubbish? The mothers. Who cleans up? The mothers.
I don't have any figures (can't find them now) on how long it took, but they now have a very high % of recycling of glass, paper, and other recyclable materials.
A small scheme, thought out well, and people changed.
The problem in Ireland is, they don't think about the schemes enough, as they don't have the skills - so they bring in 3 different consultant groups, who give 3 different pieces of advice (which they don't have to stand behind).
In the end they haven't a balls notion on how to do things, except kiss babies and talk.
The Greens, however misplanned their schemes, are slightly more planned than the rest of them.
Disclaimer: I did vote for a Green, but out of protest against the other "joke politicians".
1 year, 9 months ago by runningwithbulls
Ditto here. I gave Quentin the vote because he is "New Green" rather than the old Looney Brigade (Typhoid McKenna and Co). OK, we'll forgive him the homeopathy. Quentin takes a business approach which is the only one that will ever work. I'd happily replace our poxy oil boiler with something based around some automated wood system if either I or the supplier was incentivised to. You need both the carrot and stick.
1 year, 9 months ago by conoro
Conor have you looked at our investors other project "energy Cabin" wonderful product http://www.energycabin.com/
1 year, 9 months ago by PatPhelan
http://www.energycabin.ie/ meant to give you Irish url
1 year, 9 months ago by PatPhelan
I want results measured in lower energy costs. CFLs do not last more than two years in my early usage and that is depressing.
1 year, 9 months ago by topgold
Looks really interesting Pat. I broached the pellet idea with Quentin but he says there are issues in an Irish context - there may be other wood systems which are better suited to Irish production conditions. Still, the "cabin" idea is dead cool!
1 year, 9 months ago by conoro
They do all the pellets as well, Declan just installed one in his house in Ahillies, its working amazing
1 year, 9 months ago by PatPhelan