compact fluorescent light bulbs

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

Compact fluorescent bulbs, which are usually pretty expensive but save energy, are only 99 cents apiece at Tags right now. They are in a bin at the bottom of the stairs. There's also free popcorn.

Comments

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I love me some Tags. I got some lovely wooden shelving there for only $20.00. Thanks for the lightbulb tip!

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

The CFBs have been on sale there for months, I think. I'm not saying that in a dismissive "pfft, that's not news" way -- I think it's AWESOME and I keep trying to remember to tell more people about it! I only mention it so if someone who reads this suddenly needs new bulbs a month from now, don't assume they're not still on sale at Tags, because who knows, they might be.

I wonder how they're doing it? Are they getting a subsidy from the state or something, to promote the energy-saving bulbs? You can only buy 6 at a time at Tags, but there's nothing to stop you from coming back again and again. It's the perfect opportunity to replace every bulb in the house -- we did. They even have 3-ways, although those are not part of the 99 cent sale.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I'm under the impression that when you see CFLs for around a buck, the price is subsidized by NStar (and it may be part of a larger regional or federal program). The supplies are finite, and when they are gone, they are gone. I didn't realize there was a limit of six. I bought 10, and nobody said anything to me. I saw other people filling up their baskets with the bulbs, too.
The only bad thing about CFLs is that they contain mercury powder and aren't supposed to be thrown away in the regular trash. In Somerville, you can bring them to the Household Hazardous Waste recycling at the DPW on Franey Road (I think the first Saturday of each month, except in winter, but I'd call 311 to double-check.) You need proof of residency, too, I think.

If you break a CFL, you are not supposed to vacuum it up, but rather let the dust settle for 15 minutes and then use cardboard to sweep everything up.

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

Ooh, all good stuff to know! Thanks. Maybe they removed the limit of 6 -- although I did get the feeling that even if I'd brought more than 6 to the register, they wouldn't have stopped me, anyway.