What's the most creative way to inspire your friends and family to switch to eco-friendly light bulbs?

Question

Yahoo! Answers Team Update: We've created a group for you to discuss this issue in more detail. Find out more at:
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As individuals we take it upon ourselves to make small changes that will have a big impact on our environment. I produced a film documentary about global climate change and how humankind must confront global warming now or face devastating consequences. Compact fluorescent light bulbs can make a huge difference. Check it out at: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070221/light_bulb_campaign.html?.v=1

I want to know how you can encourage those around you to be more conscientious with their energy habits with these light bulbs. Find out more in my profile: http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile?show=qno2cijfaa&preview=true

Answer 1

It would be great if people choose to do good because of the well-being of humanity, or the long term benefits to the biosphere, but of course most of us think in a much smaller scale, and need more immediate effects of our actions... and it's ok, that's the way humans are.

Considering that eco-friendly light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, while they last 10 times longer.
Considering that they're so efficient that they only release a small fraction of the heat given by traditional light bulbs, providing 'cold' light.... Considering this, they should be selling themselves!

In fact we use them at home :-) and we know that once you try them, you won't go back to the 'old' type. It's simply a better investment. Therefore, the trick is to get people to try these light bulbs at home for the first time.

One creative way would be hosting a reunion and giving each of the guests one or a small set of eco-friendly light bulbs. Each bulb should have a small label with, for instance, a smilie face and the date, just like party souvenirs.
The date thingy is important, so that they are aware of how long these light bulbs will last!

Frankly, I don' t think it's a matter of being creative, but rational. Education is all it takes (and yes, I know that it's no small feat) to make everyone realize that conservation benefits us all.

Answer 2

The bulb's connector fit into the fixture like an incandescent bulb, but the base of the bulb does not (referring to the large white piece where the bulb connects). This usually creates a tight fit inside of the fixture, if the bulb will fit at all (I could not even get the bulbs into my ceiling fan). Also, I replaced my outdoor bulbs (porch and driveway lights) with the new bulbs, and found that bulb is so tall that it extends into the top of the fixture. This causes the white base to be the visible part, while the bulb itself extends into the top of the fixture, blocking the light. It was to be the standard bulb by the year 2010 in which your standard incandescent bulbs were to be fazed out. Due to corporate pressure and other issues, this deadline will soon pass and will not be met but eventually the compact fluorescents will be the standard.
In 1992 an average cost of a compact was around $20. Now you can buy a 6pack for around $10 at Home Depot.
As for a creative way for people to switch, Just show your energy bill before and after YOU started using compact fluorescents. That will open some eyes. I have saved close to $30 per month. A savings of $260 a year. Some people have more savings.

Answer 3

I actually just had a discussion with a friend about the eco-friendly light bulbs. He wasn't about to buy them, so I explained my experience with them.

I purchased some of the first compact fluorescent light bulbs when a rebate was offered. The problem with the original compacts was that they took awhile to "warm up" or produce the full amount of light. The way I solved the problem was to turn the compacts on before anybody showed up. Now with the newer compacts I rarely do that because I show people the difference. Today's light bulbs turn on instantly and produce maximum light right away. I also explained that the older ones were a larger than the new ones.

The thing I really like about the compact fluorescent is the longevity. I just replaced my first compact. It lasted about 5 years. I have other originals that are 5-6 yrs. old.

The only draw back to compact is the look. I informed my friend that really doesn't matter. My condo has 90-95% compacts. Majority of my lighting has concealed light bulbs so you don't notice the compacts. When I am looking for new light fixtures I try to purchase a fixture that will conceal the compact. The only incandescents I have are over a kitchen table because they look better plus it's a switch that adjusts the brightness. I don't think you can use compacts with that kind of set up. I am also putting in some pendant lighting which will be incandescent. With the kitchen table light and the pendants they will rarely be on. Those lights are lights just for certain tasks. They are not lights like the ones in a living room that need to be on all the time.

So to answer the question. I was honest. I told him the pros and cons. He didn't say if he would buy any, but I think he is a little more educated and has a better view of them. One other point he brought up was cost. I informed him you can purchase a 15W=60W for $0.99 that lasts for 5+ years. It also saves you money on the electric bill.

Here's a tip for people who have compacts. Out of my approx. 25 compacts 2 or 3 only lasted for a year or two. I called the company to inform them of the problem. They sent me new light bulbs.

Answer 4

I personally use EnergyStar bulbs. But in reality, I haven't noticed a lower electric bill, I haven't noticed longevity of the bulbs, or any other benefit claimed.

I think that alternate forms of lighting for the masses is a great goal, but until the product has actually been improved, getting people to use it is pointless.

For example, someone might say that a new cell phone has been invented that has the longest lasting battery and it outlasts every battery by four times. But what if that phone has poor reception, poor voice quality relay, and poor features? No one will care that phone has a long battery life.

The same is true for these new bulbs. The only thing that has improved is the reduced waste of energy. The product as a whole is not better, even assuming one likes the light quality that it produces.

What manufacturers need to be doing is trying to produce a light bulb that doesn't have to coil, that can have clear glass, that can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and that isn't ten times more expensive than other brands, and if possible will give off the same yellow light that old bulbs produce. Not the blue-white light that the EnergyStar bulbs produce.

Answer 5

Congress and/or President Bush could do the same. Stores could do this without waiting.

This is the one really fast way to make an immediate dent in CO2 production and global heating.

Would also lower the national electric power consumption, lower electric bills, lower incidence of fires.

The densest people are not going to move on this until stores are selling only LED and Compact Florescent lights.

Compact Florescent lights are already cheap.

IWhen everyone starts switching, LED Bulbs which use even less power will become cheaper as well.

Some small bulbs will not phase out for a while: Little ones for chandeliers, candalabras (or whatever they're called) and Christmas tree lights.

But a different solution for the latter may eventually appear.

I think Light Panels are also in the near future -- within 10 years.

I have tried to help with a Weather and Housing Blog dedicated to preparedness and energy efficiency. It offers lots of help in several areas, including light bulbs.

But it is likely to be seen only by the computer literate (the computer adept who can also read).

Answer 6

It was to be the standard bulb by the year 2010 in which your standard incandescent bulbs were to be fazed out. Due to corporate pressure and other issues, this deadline will soon pass and will not be met but eventually the compact fluorescents will be the standard.
In 1992 an average cost of a compact was around $20. Now you can buy a 6pack for around $10 at Home Depot.
As for a creative way for people to switch, Just show your energy bill before and after YOU started using compact fluorescents. That will open some eyes. I have saved close to $30 per month. A savings of $260 a year. Some people have more savings.

Answer 7

People buy products for two main reasons, quality and price. To help the enviroment is just a nice little extra that can help push people over that edge to make the switch. Firstly there is a real mercury hazard if these bulbs happen to break in your home, and proper disposal methods are dubious at best. You and I both know that without a "deposit" system, that well over half of these will end up in our landfills, just like other florescent lamps have since they were first invented. Back to quality and price. When first introduced, compact flourencents were more than $10 each and the color tempurature was a horrible bluish green that decayed into an ugly weak pink color, so you had neither good quality nor a good price. Now these products have drasticly improved, they no longer buzz, they retain their brightness much longer, and most importantly, they cost so much less and are even more efficient than when they were first introduced. Light bulbs are rated by their lumens, and that is the actual light output, not the wattage, which is more about the energy consumed. So, a 15 Watt flourescent light bulb can produce the same lumens as a 60 Watt incandecent, and it will save you money to boot. The way to convert your friends and family to these bulbs is simple, do it yourself in your own home. Show them the quality, then show them the price of the bulbs and their life expectancy. Then show them the decrease in your power bill and estimate your total savings over the life of the bulb. Of course if you think it will help, brag about how the energy you are saving is keeping us from having to build new power plants, and might even be contributing to global cooling. Set the example and invite people over to see the difference and savings.

Answer 8

We have a lot of creative ways already, most importantly a creative price as these bulb cost up too $11.00 as compared to standard bulbs. They can't be that expensive as I buy Sunbeam eco Lights at the Dollarama chain store for a $1.00 each. So why is everyone else charging so much??

We know the answer to this

The following Text may or may not be completely relevant to the above question. But its true

TV, Radio and Media are our greatest tools as the majority of mankind watch TV.

Yet this issue has been a talked about before lightly on TV, years ago and still less than is should be today, Create awareness, on a global scale.

A TV & Radio Show explaining the effects of the damage, who is doing what to resolve specific areas, and who is not helping making things worse. This will help everyone understand right and wrong. Exlpain the products that help and benifit specific areas. Show how they works and save. How do other countries do things differently ? What can be done differently? What is working for those places?

A show like this should not be geared toward a sales tactics, it shoudl not be promoted in this way.

Lots of people Watch TV, and everyone who drives to work listens to the Radio.

Generate Awareness

We all see a repitition of affairs on War and other incidents year after year. But this is a serious situation in which everyone is slowly learning & requires more attention if we want live in a better world tommorow.

Our old habits have to change to something new....soon

Answer 9

I actually think this is going to be a tough sell.
You can buy a 4 pack of 60 watt A-19 light bulbs for $.98. The new EnergyStar 13 watt 3 pack sells for $9.98.
Even though the EnergyStar bulbs last longer, the intial sticker shock is high.
The next problem is the EnergyStar bulbs only come in a few different sizes, but do not have any different shapes or glass casings.
Many people have lighting fixtures in their homes that demand a clear bulb with some kind of interesting shape.
The EnergyStar bulbs take away variety.

Additionally, many people do not like the kind of light that the EnergyStar bulbs produce. I know many people who suffer migraines from this type of lighting.

I personally use EnergyStar bulbs. But in reality, I haven't noticed a lower electric bill, I haven't noticed longevity of the bulbs, or any other benefit claimed.

I think that alternate forms of lighting for the masses is a great goal, but until the product has actually been improved, getting people to use it is pointless.

For example, someone might say that a new cell phone has been invented that has the longest lasting battery and it outlasts every battery by four times. But what if that phone has poor reception, poor voice quality relay, and poor features? No one will care that phone has a long battery life.

The same is true for these new bulbs. The only thing that has improved is the reduced waste of energy. The product as a whole is not better, even assuming one likes the light quality that it produces.

What manufacturers need to be doing is trying to produce a light bulb that doesn't have to coil, that can have clear glass, that can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and that isn't ten times more expensive than other brands, and if possible will give off the same yellow light that old bulbs produce. Not the blue-white light that the EnergyStar bulbs produce.

Companies like Sylvania and GE have their work cut out for them.

And as a personal end note... Legislation is not the way to change people's usage of products. Product Development, Sales, and Marketing are the way to change people's usage. So, California legislators, knock it off... you can't force people to use products that they don't like.

Answer 10

Ok first off let me ask all of you a question. Where is the proof that global warming is even real? Other the a bunch of people getting together and coming to a consensus there is no proof. Second I will never use the silly things. I like my light bulbs to put out light. A 14 watt eco-friendly bulb will never ever no matter how hard you want it to put out as much light as a 60 watt regular bulb. Also there have been reports from some scientists that they contain mercury. Remember that stuff. So as asked where is the proof. The earth goes through numerous warming/cooling cycles. If you all pay attention to all these reports that you tout about global warming you will find that the temp of the earth had raised a whopping 1 degree in the last 100 years. Plus if you all had not noticed for the last month you have not heard much about global warming cuz of all the cold weather. It is just a bunch of BS.

Answer 11

My wife and I have been using eco-friendly (flourescent) light bulbs for 14-15 years. What we have noticed about them that bothers us is -

1) the pricing. Some brands and stores are very expensive and some are cheap - even on the same brands. To offset the cost of the bulb, they specify a longer than incandescent life span. Which brings the second point.

2) The "guarantee" on the life span of compact flourescent is listed as many times longer than standard bulbs, with the disclaimer of "continuous burning". Most people nowdays do not leave the lights on full time and turn them off when leaving a room. I find that, on the avereage, the pricy compact flourescent bulbs last about the same length of time - except in a few cases (seems that the earlier bulbs last longer). A case in point is that we got some flourescent bulbs 15 years ago at an "eco-expo" in Los Angeles that are still operating - while name-brand bulbs bought recently fail more often. And trying to use the "guarantee" typically cost as much as buying a new bulb. Now the third point:

3) The cost of the bulbs. I do not think I need to elaborate on this. the compact flourescent bulbs are more expensing than incandesent.

4) Last point. We have applications where the flourescent bulbs just do not work. The reasons being that they are either physically too large, or continuously flicker when turned on. The eco bulbs should be designed where they will work in all applications.

My creative way to get people to purchase the product is to address these issues and advertise the progress of coming to terms with them.