Selfsufficientish.com

We've got about 20 lightbulbs here - brand new ones. But they're not energy efficient.

What shall i do? Should i give them to someone even through they're not energy saving, or should i recycle them and waste the energy put into making them?

Any ideas?

I would use them in places where the light is on only very rarely - spare or guest room, attic etc. Replace the ones in rooms where the light is on most, and keep a few of the old ones as spares when one of the others burns out and you need a quick replacement.

I agree with Ina. Now they have been manufactured, use them in areas where they will do least damage.

Can you recycle light bulbs?

Zoe

I've seen some great crafty things done with lightbulbs - there was a lovely 'lightbulb and wire' vase thingy on craftster a while ago.

The problem is that we have energy saving bulbs in every light now! And because we're moving, the HIP people take note of where you have and haven't got energy saving appliances, including bulbs.

Also, because we're moving, Dad won't let me keep them for 'craft reasons'...

the.fee.fairy wrote:I've seen some great crafty things done with lightbulbs - there was a lovely 'lightbulb and wire' vase thingy on craftster a while ago.

The problem is that we have energy saving bulbs in every light now! And because we're moving, the HIP people take note of where you have and haven't got energy saving appliances, including bulbs.

Also, because we're moving, Dad won't let me keep them for 'craft reasons'...

what about putting them on freecycle ...someone else might use them for craft purposes

I would say use them.
There are arguments for and against so called "energy efficient" lightbulbs. Whilst less energy is required to run them in the manner that they are run whilst the "energy efficient comparisons" are carried out, there is more to just the running costs involved in the equation. They are much less efficient than in the tests if you use them say in a hallway where they are switched on and off frequently and for short periods of time.
They are not more energy efficient in terms of manufacturing or disposal costs and they contain more harmful metals than standard bulbs.
Also for some people it will require replacing existing light fittings which again has an energy over head in the manufacturing of new ones to replace them with.
We have a mixture of both, and I will continue to use standard ones without feeling guilty about it.

I agree with Ina
we are using up the ones that were in the hosue when we came (we changed them all for lower energy ones straight away) but there are two places - a large cupboard and util room that the light only goes on rarely and for a mo - best to use them here as eco bulbs are less eco in a on and off quickly situ

Fee
Swap the energy efficient ones for normal ones the day you move out

Zoe

ooh..why didn't we think of that!!

I'll see if dad's chucked them yet and suggest it to him.

the.fee.fairy wrote:I've seen some great crafty things done with lightbulbs - there was a lovely 'lightbulb and wire' vase thingy on craftster a while ago.

The problem is that we have energy saving bulbs in every light now! And because we're moving, the HIP people take note of where you have and haven't got energy saving appliances, including bulbs.

Also, because we're moving, Dad won't let me keep them for 'craft reasons'...

OK here is a craft suggestion that is lots of fun............"for information purposes only"

Get the lightbulb and, using a glass drill, drill a small hole near the metal end. Get hold of some black powder or gun powder and then pour it in to the lightbulb until it reaches the element. When visiting friends and while they are not looking, substitute one of their lightbulbs for your "fun" one. Then wait for it to get dark and the fun to begin!

(loud noise and smoke but not much collateral damage)

Nev

hahahaha...i think Dad would kill me....

[quote="the.fee.fairy"]
The problem is that we have energy saving bulbs in every light now! And because we're moving, the HIP people take note of where you have and haven't got energy saving appliances, including bulbs.

{/quote]



Surely unless it is a built in appliance or included as part of the sale it makes no difference?



Or am I being stupid because the seller has to pay for the HIP and they have to look like they are earning their money some way?