Ponderings on light bulbs

Things that won't work (as well, anyway) without an incandescent light bulb:

• Lava lamps
• Easy-bake ovens
• Home incubators for chicken eggs, etc.
• Heat lamps for pet lizards and other reptiles
  

According to the local paper, part of the energy bill passed in Washington recently included legislation to phase out incandescent light bulbs in the next five years. It wasn't clear if they were going to be made "illegal" or what, but it was an interesting thing.

We've switched over to compact florescent bulbs in about half the fixtures here so far. The bathroom vanity lights are still incandescent, and will be until they burn out at least. And we have a few lights that aren't CFL compatible right now, like the track lighting and the kitchen light. There's something about the kitchen fixture that is CFL-unfriendly. We've tried at least 2 CFLs, maybe three, and none have lasted more than two months so far. I think it's because it's a closed globe and the bulb gets too hot.

Anyway, if this legislation is going to work, the CFLs and LEDs will have to make some advances in the next five years. But I still don't see my lava lamp working with a bulb that doesn't put out as much heat. It's part of the design. Ditto for the Easy Bake Oven.

More on all that later.