More complaints about energy-saving bulbs
BURNT HILLS, NEW YORK - Some U.S. energy experts say the push to lower the price of compact fluorescent light bulbs has led manufacturers to use cheap components.
"Somebody decides to save a little money somewhere and suddenly we have hundreds of thousands of (bulb) failures," said Victor Roberts, an independent expert in Burnt Hills, N.Y., who conducts failure analysis testing on light bulbs.
Compact fluorescent bulbs comprise 11 percent of the market for bulbs in the United States, but consumers increasingly complain the bulbs burn out early, The New York Times reported.
"In the pursuit of the holy grail, we stepped on the consumer," said Michael Siminovitch, an energy expert at the University of California, Davis.
Overall, the energy-saving bulbs are of good quality, but it's difficult to keep tight quality control on a cheap, mass-marketed item, many of which come from China, said Alan Feit, vice president of Feit Electric.
"While manufacturers try to inspect all incoming materials, one little mistake may cause a performance problem," Feit said.
Related News
Alberta Ends Moratorium on Renewable Energy Projects
ALBERTA - The Alberta government has announced the end of a temporary suspension on the development of new renewable energy projects. This pause, which had been in place since May 2023, was initially implemented to evaluate the effects of rapid growth in renewable energy installations on the province's power grid and overall energy system. However, the decision to lift the moratorium reflects a shift in the government’s approach to balancing energy needs and environmental goals.
The suspension was introduced amid concerns that the swift expansion of wind and solar energy projects could place undue stress on Alberta's electrical grid and…
