"dim a bulb down to about half its usual brightness you
end up using less than half the power"

Actually the square law applies...



"I have rather assumed that cheaper dimmer switch versions will have to come out before the old style bulbs can be eliminated. What's happened in Australia in that direction?"

Dimmable CFLs are now available in the Supermarkets - not much more so that undimmable ones. Only in the standard BC/ES fittings though.

You can get a 'PAR38' equivalent CFL.

Trying to find odd shaped lights for fitting that depend on the bulb shape, or small size ones is difficult, and the very small physical sizes cannot be found at all.

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"Considering that lighting is a small part of the average household's energy use, I believe the ban on incandescent light bulbs is a typical move by the Envionmentalists who feel they have the right to tell others what to do."

Actually I can tell you EXACTLY what happened - and I'm NOT making this up - Little Fascist Johnny and his Mad Mates here in Oz started the stupidity - World First! Intended as a distraction from the refusal to ratify Kyoto! As well as pretending to have an 'environmental policy'!

A local Electronics Magazine did a big expose on all the serious flaws in the scheme - including the fact that CFLs take more energy and greenhouse gas to manufacture! A list of applications for which CFLs cannot work, include Theatre Lighting, hot and cold places - fridges, stoves etc, vibration, such as cars, etc. In 'industrial lighting situations' huge discharge lamps (2KW to 5KW each) are used. 500 watt halogen strips are used in a lot of 'domestic spotlight' type outdoor lighting - as well as small carparks! no CFL equivalents exist for these application - total replacement of fittings is needed.

Actually you can get LED plugins that fit into standard halogen downlight fittings - but they are still pricey - the do have the advantage of less heat as well - many house fires are caused by halogen downlight fittings - beside which you can't seal the room - you have to have ventilation thru many of these type fittings up to the ceiling!

Interesting the comments about migraines - must forward that to them!

Actually I have used them since the first Phillips huge sized ones appeared - about AUD$20 ea! When expired, the outer glass cases made wonderful tea light holders!

You CAN find different 'temperature ratings' - but one of the 'cheap chains' here brought in a massive quantity of 'blue' ones - didn't sell many! :-)

Actually halogens are normally very wasteful energy wise. for a single '50Watt' - you need about 62 watts - each light has a separate transformer (or switchmode converter) hidden in the ceiling!

I personally prefer reflected light rather than harsh downlighting - I have white ceilings.

But I do have 2 10W halogen 'garden fittings' that are positioned in my 'computer desk' - which is a 3 ft square cubicle built from bolt together shelves with some sheet metal. Directional and not too bright.