It’s true. I’m a hoarder. If there were a support group, I would probably need to join it. But as a hoarder who doesn’t think she has a problem, I probably wouldn’t join it anyway. You would never hear me say, “Hi, I’m Susabelle, and I’m a Hoarder.”
That’s because I’m not ready to admit I have a problem. In January, 2012, we will no longer be able to purchase incandescent light bulbs in the United States. I, however, am addicted to them, and have started stockpiling them in my garage. Not like a whole garage full of them. But more than a couple three-packs. And I intend to buy more before the end of the year.
It’s all about the quality of the light. We have CFL’s in certain places in the house where the lighting isn’t as important to my ability to see: in overhead lights that are rarely used, in the front porch light, in the garage. We have already figured out that CFL’s in the light in the range hood over the stove are a bad idea (they can’t take the heat and break easily). We’ve also figured out that if we want to read for more than a few minutes, or do any kind of craft work that relies on color (painting, scrapbooking, sewing, quilting), that CFL’s are not the bulb of choice. The colors are “off” and eyes get tired quickly. I still prefer sunshine whenever possible, but in the absence of sunshine, I’ll take a good, warm, color-true incandescent bulb.
I know CFL’s are cheaper to operate, and maybe, if they work for years, they cost less than incandescents to purchase. But so far, I’ve not found them to be a decent value for their lifespan. Not to mention I’m kind of an eco-conscious gal and prefer to not throw mercury in the landfill. The truth is, when it comes down to it, I don’t like the light a CFL delivers. Either it is too bright and glaring, or not bright enough. It creates weird shadows, and the flickering can be deadly if you have a seizure disorder (my son has epilepsy). I prefer my incandescents, and being a “woman of a certain age,” I can also say that I see better with incandescent lighting than I do with CFL’s.
“What about LED’s?” I’m sure you’re asking. LED’s have an even worse flicker than most CFL’s, and the light, while bright, is not true and also doesn’t provide enough light in most circumstances. Once again, I prefer the incandescent over the LED.
So are there other hoarders like me? Yes, there are. Says Susan Drake of Marietta, Ohio: “I have stocked up on enough incandescent bulbs to last for the next 50 years.” I am certainly not alone. I don’t have 50 years’ worth. Yet. I won’t live 50 more years, I don’t think, but these days, you never know. I can get three-packs of Sylvania brand incandescent bulbs in 100 watt, 75 watt, and 60 watt for a buck at the local Dollar Tree. They have plenty of them. For now. Until I buy out their stock.
Maybe that’ll be my next paycheck.
“Hi, my name is Susabelle, and I’m a Hoarder.”
I find CFLs ok for most places, but my concern is in the kitchen. CFLs contain mercury, and if one breaks, the room becomes contaminated. I especially refuse to put a CFL in the range hood. The last thing I want is a glass tube containing mercury above a hot stove!
Other than that, I use mostly halogen bulbs.