Gizmodo: Cfl

Question of the Day: Have You Made the Switch to CFLs?

Sean Fallon — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Given the focus on "greenness" and energy efficiency these days, you have probably been bombarded with messages about tossing out your old incandescent bulbs for CFLs. It is definitely an easy way to save a few bucks on your electric bill, but in many cases there can be a trade-off in light quality. This has become less of an issue in recent years, but I'm sure it still keeps people on the fence about switching. But what about you? Have you made the switch?

[Ecosaber Shirt]

Bulb 2.0: Homage to a (Once) Timeless Design

Mark Wilson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:16:00 EDT

Not that there's anything particularly wrong with the soft serve style of traditional CFLs, but we sort of love the overly cutesy nature of the Bulb 2.0, a compact fluorescent shaped lamp with the faux filament of a traditional incandescent lightbulb. It's both a nod to Edison in an era when his most famous invention is (thankfully) going obsolete, and, maybe more importantly, a way to finally stop our painful, compulsive CFL licking. [Formstark via Notcot]

ESL Bulbs Are Better Than CFLs and LEDs, Says Company

Elaine Chow — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Another contender has stepped into the ring of energy efficient lighting: called ESL (electron-stimulated luminescence), this new type of bulb works by using accelerated electrons to light up a phosphor coating on the inside of a glass bulb. ESLs can turn on instantly, can work with dimmers, and creates a light quality that's similar to incandescents and halogens.

Vu1, the company behind the technology, says ESL bulbs don't contain the trace amounts of mercury in CFLs and don't require the manufacturing energy behind LEDs, making it better than both. The first screw in models, which produce 40 lumens per watt with a 6,000 hour lifetime, are expected to be available by September 2008. At $12 a bulb, they cost about the same as dimmable CFLs already on the market. [Vu1 via Cleantechnica]

Brendan Koerner Teaches Stephen Colbert About CFLs and the Environment

Benny Goldman — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Friend of Giz and contributing editor Brendan I. Koerner was on the Colbert Report last night to school Stephen on ways to save the environment. Koerner discussed the paper/plastic debate, using air conditioning vs. windows, and whether it's cheaper to buy CFLs or regular bulbs. Colbert let the green-concious Koerner off pretty easy, but he did manage to raise a fascinating point: If CFLs weren't meant to be licked, why do they look so damn delicious? [The Colbert Report, Brendan Koerner]

'CFL FTW' Illuminates the Tragedy Behind Lightbulb Progress

Mark Wilson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Poor incandescent bulbs. They had about 100+ years of dominance, but now it's the era of energy-efficient compact fluorescent. And this triumph of the CFL has been archived for future historians in the most permanent record known to our culture: a T-shirt. If you'd like to see this clever garment actually be produced, make sure to vote over at Threadless. [Threadless via superpunch]

Viatek CFL Makes Your Rooms Brighter, Less Smelly

Elaine Chow — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EDT

If you've ever thought of your light bulb as a serious underachiever without enough features, maybe it's time to spring for Viatek's new Ionic 15 watt compact fluorescent. This bulb pulls double duty, both brightening up your life and cleansing the air, all the while saving you money on your electric bill. The CFL uses 15 watts to produce the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent, lasts for 10,000 hours, and cleans a 100 square foot area with its built in ionic purifier. All for just $14.99 on Amazon. Now repeat after me - lazy light bulbs are for losers! [Amazon via Popgadget]

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Are The New Hotel Robe

Mark Wilson — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 10:29:18 EST

While hotels are used to catering to the shady sides of society—there's good reason that rooms are void of blacklight fixtures and stocked to the gills with plenty of cheap towels—they are not used to appeasing eco-conscious thieves. According to Montana's page on energy efficient CFLs, "building owners, hotel operators and office managers complain about people stealing the CFL bulbs right out of the fixtures."

So what can be done about the problem?

According to Montana: "There is no easy way around this, and it is a real issue. Hey, these bulbs are popular!"

If only the allure of low energy illumination devices weren't so close to the cockles of Man's heart, maybe we could hope to find a moment of order in this crazy world we live in. [Montana via ecogeek]

Afternoon News: Give Gifts on Wii, Get a Cheap Mylo, New Light Bulbs for Ireland and More

Benny Goldman — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST

• Dealzmodo: Sign up for a Sony Visa card, get a Mylo for $49 and one free year of T-Mobile Hotspot service. Our own Chris Mascari said it best: "Kinda makes me wish I wanted a Mylo." [Sony]
• The Wii Shop now lets you send Virtual Console games to friends as gifts. First person to send me Super Mario 64 gets a gold star. [Crave]
• Ireland will ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs in 2009. Crossing my fingers that a 2010 ban on Bono is next. [Tech Digest]
• Nokia wants a cut of user revenues from carriers, like someone else we know. Jealous much, Nokia? [BGR]
• LG has sold 15 million Chocolate handsets. Kudos to them on finding 15 million suckers. [Wireless Info]

IKEA Recycles Old CFL Bulbs for Free

Matt Buchanan — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:00:48 EDT

If you've made the switch from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs in order to be more energy/money efficient, one issue possibly plaguing your otherwise greener conscience is where to recycle it after it goes cold in about seven years, since it can't be recycled with glass bottles, thanks to its mercury content. IKEA to the rescue! They'll take old CFLs off of your hands for free recycling, which is useful given the big push CFL bulbs are getting from everyone from Wal-Mart to governments. Of course, the snag is that's only helpful if you have an IKEA somewhere in your general vicinity, but them's the breaks. [IKEA via Consumerist, Flickr]

Halloween CFLs Keep You Spooky AND Eco-Friendly

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:03:47 EDT

When decorating this Halloween, there's no reason to throw out your Gizmodo-sharpened electronics mind. On the contrary, Halloween is your time to shine. Literally. Just check out these Halloween-themed compact fluorescents. The 13W bulbs run 2 for $9 (one black, one orange), and will last you every Halloween for the rest of your life. And your children's lives. And your children's children's lives. Now that's a spooky thought. [treehugger via make]