The truth will out...

My revelations regarding CFLs have produced a very substantial response from readers of Connected. Quite a few respondents, unfortunately, misread or misunderstood the points I was making. I failed to make myself clear enough. I will attempt to clarify my objections to CFLs.

I do not reject CFLs out of hand, but I strongly object to the misleading claims made for them. First, they cost you at least twice as much to run as they claim. En-masse they will give electricity suppliers problems to solve that will raise the cost of electricity.

Second, the light output equivalents they claim are misleading. My measurements show that it needs a 26W CFL to be as bright as a 100W incandescent, which costs you 52 watts – a near 50% saving, but not the 85% many are claiming.

Third, the life expectancy of 8000 hours seems, anecdotally at least, to be another exaggeration.

Fourth, there are several health questions concerning CFLs. And there is the issue of the mercury disposal problems.

Fifth, I disputed that the heat produced by incandescent lamps is wasted power. It contributes to home heating and is taken into account by the central heating thermostat.

All in all, CFLs are a solution to a problem that hardly exists, foisted on us by politicians desperate to be seen to be doing something about ‘Global Warming’.

At this point, I think I should make it absolutely clear that I do not support the consensus view that “Global Warming” is substantially man made or that we can do anything about it. I do, however, strongly support conservation, recycling, reusing, organic farming, whole foods, a healthy diet, and lots of exercise.

I abhor closed minds, censorship of ideas, and the demonisation of those with other opinions, beliefs or cultures, waste and the chemicalisation of our environment. These are just a few examples. I hold strong opinions on most things and am willing to discuss them with anyone capable of conducting a civilised argument. My opinions are based on moral, ethical, logical and evidential principles and are, therefore, open to modification and change.