This strip is a reprint from 1990, marking the earliest part of the brief reign of CFLs. That was a screw-up right up there with New Coke and the Edsel: can’t use them in ceiling fans (because of the vibration), can’t use them in porch lights (because chances are you’ve got a sunset timer that counts as a “dimmer”), can’t use them in bathrooms, kitches or especially refrigerators (because they fail in humid areas), can’t use them in most reading lamps (because when they finally did get around to making 3-ways they had a massive ceramic collar that won’t go into the fixture), and you can’t even throw them away when they burn out (which happens in as little as two weeks instead of the advertised ten years) because deadly poisonous mercury!
Water conservation has never been an issue with me. I’ve spent most of my life living in places where it was vital to conserve, and properly manage water usage.
The CFLs are another story !
My eyes have always been extremely sensitive to fluorescent light.
Down here, there’s no escaping, since CFLs are mandatory everywhere !
I’ve found some new CFL lights that have a “softer” tint, and I use them at home.
Unfortunately, while I prefer low or little light, – LED or soft incandescent bulbs – my wife is one of those people, who believes the brighter, the better. This has led to some rather enlightening arguments.
The upshot being, that I wear specially tinted glasses to relieve my eyes, and avoid strain, – both optical and marital.
Oh yeah, CFLs are sooo great. IF one breaks you have to blot it up because if you vacuum it up it might spray the mercury and other chemicals all over and that is an environmental nightmare! We were better off with $0.50 cent light bulbs that weren’t an environmental hazard. But the govt fed by corporate greed is faithfully saving us from ourselves while the companies make more money off something we didn’t want or need.
The shower head is all wrong. The trick to saving water with showers is not to have less water pressure but to turn off the water the moment you’re wet. Then soap and/or shampoo etc with the water off and turn it back on only to rinse. That’s what a three minute shower means.
… and if you think CF lights are “a little more expensive,” just hang on to your wallet when you see the price of LED lights. Oh sure “in the long run…” If you live that long.
… and if you think CF lights are “a little more expensive,” just hang on to your wallet when you see the price of LED lights. Oh sure “in the long run…” If you live that long.
BE THIS GUY over 6 years ago
Just wipe yourself down with a moist cloth.
Adiraiju over 6 years ago
“Zonker, I’ve been getting hosed enough by everything else lately. My showerhead is the only thing that HAS permission to do that.”
Rosette over 6 years ago
Low water pressure is my arch-nemesis.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 6 years ago
Reason enough for a lock on the bedroom door. And maybe a few other changes.
Carl Premium Member over 6 years ago
Has anyone ever had a CFL last 10,k hours outside of a advertising lab?
dadoctah over 6 years ago
This strip is a reprint from 1990, marking the earliest part of the brief reign of CFLs. That was a screw-up right up there with New Coke and the Edsel: can’t use them in ceiling fans (because of the vibration), can’t use them in porch lights (because chances are you’ve got a sunset timer that counts as a “dimmer”), can’t use them in bathrooms, kitches or especially refrigerators (because they fail in humid areas), can’t use them in most reading lamps (because when they finally did get around to making 3-ways they had a massive ceramic collar that won’t go into the fixture), and you can’t even throw them away when they burn out (which happens in as little as two weeks instead of the advertised ten years) because deadly poisonous mercury!
Linguist over 6 years ago
Water conservation has never been an issue with me. I’ve spent most of my life living in places where it was vital to conserve, and properly manage water usage.
The CFLs are another story !
My eyes have always been extremely sensitive to fluorescent light.
Down here, there’s no escaping, since CFLs are mandatory everywhere !
I’ve found some new CFL lights that have a “softer” tint, and I use them at home.
Unfortunately, while I prefer low or little light, – LED or soft incandescent bulbs – my wife is one of those people, who believes the brighter, the better. This has led to some rather enlightening arguments.
The upshot being, that I wear specially tinted glasses to relieve my eyes, and avoid strain, – both optical and marital.
Sportymonk over 6 years ago
Oh yeah, CFLs are sooo great. IF one breaks you have to blot it up because if you vacuum it up it might spray the mercury and other chemicals all over and that is an environmental nightmare! We were better off with $0.50 cent light bulbs that weren’t an environmental hazard. But the govt fed by corporate greed is faithfully saving us from ourselves while the companies make more money off something we didn’t want or need.
SunflowerGirl100 over 6 years ago
The shower head is all wrong. The trick to saving water with showers is not to have less water pressure but to turn off the water the moment you’re wet. Then soap and/or shampoo etc with the water off and turn it back on only to rinse. That’s what a three minute shower means.
William Bednar Premium Member over 6 years ago
While you’re enjoying that minimalist shower, think of the other seven billion Spaceship Earthmates, and counting. They need showers too!
whiteaj over 6 years ago
… and if you think CF lights are “a little more expensive,” just hang on to your wallet when you see the price of LED lights. Oh sure “in the long run…” If you live that long.
whiteaj over 6 years ago
… and if you think CF lights are “a little more expensive,” just hang on to your wallet when you see the price of LED lights. Oh sure “in the long run…” If you live that long.
Kirk P Premium Member over 6 years ago
April 10, 1990 in B&W