So we all know that old fashion incandescent bulbs are wasteful. What we might not realize is how they are wasteful. Have you ever looked into a toaster? You will see little glowing red lines, these glowing heaters work on the same principle that electric stoves do. Push electricity through a metal wire, the wire heats up, and you get toast. You can see the wires in the toaster because if you heat them up enough they glow a dull red.

Incandescent bulbs work on this same principle. The little tungsten wire in the bulb heats up so much that it doesn’t just glow red, but a vibrant white. The problem being that most of the energy you put into an incandescent bulb goes towards producing heat (something like 80%) and only a little bit ends up as light. Incandescent bulbs are basically really bright toasters. CFL’s on the other hand make more light with less because they use a different method to produce light. They use a florescent gas that glows bright (and cool) when electricity is passed through it. That is why CFL’s don’t heat up, and use so much less energy.

Anyone who has touched a hot bulb knows that they are nothing to mess around with. Well recently I found this little gem.

Not only was this tiny bathroom like a sauna as the bulbs were left on all the time, but it is clear they are placed too close to the ceiling. This room is in desperate need of some CFL’s. Do you have any examples of pictures like this? Not only waste, but dangerous waste? If so please contact us and we will post them.