Next year the federal government begins the phaseout of traditional incandescent lightbulbs, giving us yet another enlightening example of politicians short-circuiting free markets. The 100-watt bulb will be banned on New Year's Day, and all the rest by 2014.
This will "save energy". You'll have to use lighting that costs a lot more money, but it's for your own good. Besides, they last so much longer, so you save money in the long run!
If any of that was true, then the free market would prevail, and the change wouldn't have had to be legislated in the first place. Of course, as it happens, neither is actually the case.
The CFC bulbs don't actually save much, if any, energy: Competitive Enterprise Institute notes, "For example, if you turn a light on and off a lot, such as a bathroom light, you will save very little electricity because CFLs use a lot of electricity to start up. Second, CFLs tend not to last as long as advertised. Therefore, you end up replacing CFLs before they have achieved the savings needed to make up the [cost] difference [of the old-fashioned bulb]."
And then, there's the dirty little secret: CFC bulbs are hazardous materials - which you are being ordered to place into your home. Never fear; the EPA has issued instructions for dealing with broken CFC bulbs. They're here to help.
Change the bag out after each vacuuming in the area (don't know what you do if you have one of those "bagless" vacuum cleaners - probably, you should follow the advice of vird enthusiasts and just "wing it"). Turn off your HVAC system and open doors and windows. You might want to set up a box-fan to shoot poisoned air out across the neighborhood. Do not dispose of remnants in trash - take them to a haz-mat disposal station. Fun times!
