Question from Dawn Magstadt
Hi Debra,
Thank you for all you do. Hey, I was wondering, I’ve come upon yet another seemingly simple thing with huge implications, lighting.
I’ve been avoiding the light bulb situation and I won’t buy the curly ones (mercury is mercury–bad enough. I have some in my mouth and the fish I eat, and like who’s gonna really toss the bulbs not in the trash can? please.
Then the Dollar Store, my refuge from Walmart confusion, let me down in that
they burned out within a month this time. So I resigned myself to go to Menards (like Home Depot etc) and saw LED.
Then there’s some kinds (can’t recall–from another excursion) that say they can get hot(I’m thinkin’ that’s Halogen). I had 3 Halogen tall pole lamps in the 90s and I never bought a replacement bulb in 10 years! I take that back, maybe once for one. Then I divorced and who knows, they probably still burned after that. So a few years ago I merely bought a desk Halogen and it burned out in a week! I’m like what gives in a decade? Now they burn out? Made no sense.
I don’t want any bulbs to start a fire in my cheapy Goodwill lamps, my god. Might as well burn beeswax candles; at least it would be healthy and cost about the same as those expensive bulbs. I don’t mind expensive if it lasts, but then I read LED is directional and may keep melatonine from happening. I love the light they give but not on people’s cars (which seems like I’ve seen–too bright, albeit clear, must be hunting snipes, lol). I thought those for melatonine were the UV watcha ma call it clear bulbs. It’s nice they all are in light bulb form now but it was easier to know what was what when their shapes were different. I mean Halogen were little bity, not a bulb.
And then they (the god makers of light) claim regular florescent works for plants when in fact, I read before you’d have to have them no further away than 4″, now they act like any old bulb will do. How can that have changed in only 7 yrs?
Would they just organize it, make up their minds so I can just grab a pack of bulbs and feel comfortable that I won’t burn my apt building down and lose everything and that I won’t get depressed
or end up with a sleep disorder. I mean come on people.
So I’m saying…have you done any research?
It just seems odd, does it not, that when it’s all about light, it’s in the dark. And of course it’s complicated and of course it’s polluted.
Debra’s Answer
I’ve done a lot of research about this over the years and could organize it, and will, but can’t in this blog post today. Lighting is changing so quickly it’s hard to keep up with it.
I’ll just give you a quick answer by telling you what I use.
First, I’ve done things to have more natural light in my home, like install skylights. I have a big skylight over my shower, so I rarely turn on a light when I go in the bathroom. Even at night I have a little nightlight, so there’s no need to turn on the overhead light.
Then, I’ve purchased light fixtures that take incandescent type bulbs. And I use Philips EcoVantage bulbs, which are halogens inside of a bulb that is the same size and shape as an incandescent. I’ve never had a problem with overheating.
I also have a fixture over my kitchen sink that takes small halogens. It’s all metal and glass, so no problem with overheating. The fixture is designed for halogens.
As a rule, I don’t use overhead lights, except in the hallway. I much prefer task lighting, which also saves energy.
Simple.
Hope this helps your dilemma!
Hello! I have continued to use incandescent bulbs, as I prefer the light they emit. Because CFLs contain mercury, I have never used them. I had low-voltage overhead halogen lighting installed in two rooms many years ago, on the advice of a “green” contractor. I don’t care for the light emitted by these halogens, and the bulbs are extremely difficult to switch out (thankfully, it’s a rare event). Has anyone else read about toxic metals in LED bulbs? This piece is a few years old but has some concerning information about LEDs: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/led-lightbulb-concerns/
I wrote about this in 2011 Q&A: LED Lightbulbs Are Not as Safe as Advertised. It has another article and some comments.
A visit to a big box store lighting department is a completely overwhelming adventure. Especially when even the associates disagree on suggestions. I feel your frustration.
For those of us who live in a more northerly lattitude, with grey weather as the normal, lightbulbs are essential. I have skylight, southern exposure and big windows, but limited daylight and the sun sits very low to the south, even at noon when it shines from below our horizon. Winter sun is blocked by tall trees. A grey world is depressing enough without stumbling around in the dark at home.
I can tell you that LED bulbs have a ʻringʻ to them, higher pitched than a flourescent hum. I find them to provide a light that is ʻoffʻ or odd.
I stuck to incandescent bulbs, after trying everything on the market. I have halogen over the stove, sixteen years now and have replaced them twice. My favorite reading lamp uses halogen and it gets warm, but not hot like some. I have had the same bulb for ten or more years now.
I was going through house detox, still am, and canʻt afford to pitch all lighting to start over. The furniture is green, the bathrooms are green, the beds are organic, the wardrobe is poly free, but we have to eat. Organic. It is all very costly, but I highly encourage any expense you can manage. Our wold is toxic enough, getting our home environments healthy has a big payoff.
I have not tried the bulbs Debra mentioned, fear of heat with fabric lampshades has restricted useage. Now they are on my shopping list, thanks.
All of my led bulbs are shaded so I don’t experience any melatonin deprivation or sleep disorder.
I use LED light as I am EMF Sensitive. They use and emit less electricity. They are pricey so watch the sales. And they last much longer than an incandescent bulb so over the long run the price and usage tend to be a wash. They emit bright light and are easy on the eyes at the same time. I bought 20 bulbs last fall for $5.00 each – so $100.00 total – and revamped my whole house. Google LED bulbs and shop around. You will find a good price that way.