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From: 2141smh@aluxe.UUCP (S. M. Henning,)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Lifetime Lightbulbs
Message-ID: <647@aluxe.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 22-Jan-85 13:27:40 EST
Article-I.D.: aluxe.647
Posted: Tue Jan 22 13:27:40 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Jan-85 07:14:11 EST
References: <-28400@cadovax.UUCP> <6100001@hpfclv.UUCP> <1467@hplabs.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Allentown, PA
Lines: 21

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From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA aluxe!2141smh

> I've also heard that light bulbs that last forever can be made

>   you can insert a diode in the line to effectively  halve the power
> 
> You can also buy 130V bulbs to accomplish much the same thing.

Don't get overwhelmed by any of these options.  They only cut the efficiency
of the lamp so you spend more on electicity than you now spend on replacement
bulbs.  This assumes that you use a higher wattage bulb to get the same light
output.  Otherwise use a lower wattage bulb and save electricity anyway.
These devices like diodes, 130 volt lamps etc. cause more of the electricity
to be wasted on heat and less used to produce light.  Now in the winter the
heat is not wasted usually, but in the summer the heat costs you double
if you aircondition.
The only way to come out ahead is to use high effieciency lamps like flourescents
arc lamps, etc.  No trick to make a tungsten lamp last longer saves money.
It is only advisable for lamps which are difficult to replace or for
emergency use.