Free Light Bulbs (NSW and ACT)

[Pieoter]

The NSW and ACT governments are giving away 6 free energy saving light bulbs to households and even a AAA showerhead to eligible homes.

http://www.easybeinggreen.com.au/ebg/home/order.sok

Once installed, these kits can:

* save you $150 every year on your household energy bill
* eliminate approximately 1 tonne of greenhouse gas pollution every year
* save an average of 21,000 litres of fresh water every year

[Fairlane]

Yeah we got the light bulbs at the Post Office when we paid the billl. Nothing special just 6 standard energy saver bayonet bulbs.

[deesun]

A great idea. But a tip, if you use a 60w globe in your house and the equivilent is 12w then I would use a 15w energysaver as I find the 12w a little dull. I have used them in nearly all rooms of the house for years and hardly ever have to change them.

[Falchoon]

Lucky the lamps are free, if you had to pay for them yourself it isn't worth the money to change them over. A regular light bulb retails for around 50c, probably less if you buy no-name brand, a compact fluorescent energy saver lamp is around $3. Lights use very little electricity so you go a long time before you recoup the costs through electricity savings.

Deesun is right, they are a bit dull in comparison to a normal light bulb.

[AshMan]

Originally Posted by Falchoon

Lucky the lamps are free, if you had to pay for them yourself it isn't worth the money to change them over. A regular light bulb retails for around 50c, probably less if you buy no-name brand, a compact fluorescent energy saver lamp is around $3. Lights use very little electricity so you go a long time before you recoup the costs through electricity savings.

Deesun is right, they are a bit dull in comparison to a normal light bulb.

Not only that, but the 'energy savers' also last upto 3 times longer than a normal lightbulb, which when taken into account, DOES save money in a quite short period of time.

Ie. They pay for themselves quite quickly.

Pure white light is easier on the eyes and is at a different spot in the colour spectrum, hence the fact that they seem 'dull'.

[Electric]

Originally Posted by Falchoon

Lucky the lamps are free, if you had to pay for them yourself it isn't worth the money to change them over. A regular light bulb retails for around 50c, probably less if you buy no-name brand, a compact fluorescent energy saver lamp is around $3. Lights use very little electricity so you go a long time before you recoup the costs through electricity savings.

Deesun is right, they are a bit dull in comparison to a normal light bulb.

Not quite right.... if the light is on a lot, like the one in your family room.

According to my calculations if you replace a single 100w incandescent with a 15W CFL and used it for 5 hours a day everyday for a year in the ACT were electricity costs about 9.9c per kW/hr...


100w 15w

500 75 Wh per day
182500 27375 Wh per year
182.5 27.375 kWh per year
$18.07 $2.70 per year...

Or put another way every 100 hours it will cost you about $1, and over a year it adds up. Seems a lot so I could be wrong...but it has never hapened before. :

[LTDHO]

I wonder why it is only for NSW and ACT?

[Fairlane]

I actually hate the pure white ones, they hurt my eyes. But the warm glow ones but out a light similiar to a standard bulbs and are great

[HLC]

the pure white fluro lookin ones are gross. too sterile. looks like a hospital

[merlin]

Theres a catch - you are signing away your credits people!

[Aussie Falcon]

what do you mean? I always wondered what the catch was.

[merlin]

Quick overview is that NSW has a Carbon Credit scheme operating - you earn a "carbon credit" for 'x' amount of greenhouse gases that you stop entering the atmosphere (I THINK x = 1 tonne).

Basically these companies that are giving you "free" lightbulbs and showerheads (and their are many companies) are buying your carbon credit off you. This is because in the fine print you have agreed to fit these lightbulbs and showerhead which reduces 'x' amount of greenhouse gas therefore you have earnt a carbon credit. However also in the fine print you have forfeited your carbon credit to them.

Carbon credits are marketable commodities and these companies then go sell your carbon credit to the highest bidder (usually multinational companies)

It may not all mean much now but in the short term future carbon credits could become extremly valuable and you have in short signed yours away.

[Aussie Falcon]

Thanks for the explaination. I googled carbon credits and found some interesting reading. I wonder why this hasn't been brought up more in the media.