Homer Huntsberry of Colfax Thinks Central Louisiana Residents Will Soon See The Light

Homer Huntsberry of Colfax thinks Central Louisiana residents will soon see the light. Huntsberry finds no problem with the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs, while others see the elimination as a not-so-bright idea. Area retailers say some people in Cenla have been stocking up on incandescent bulbs recently, following news reports about the gradual elimination of traditional bulbs. "We tripled our normal order of (incandescent bulbs) because we knew people would come looking for the bulbs," said George Reech, a John Ward Ace Hardware manager. Customers have been purchasing cases of incandescent bulbs, he said. New efficiency and labeling standards passed in 2007 took effect Sunday, and the phase-out of the traditional incandescent bulbs is starting this year with the 100-watt bulb. The phase-out of the 75-watt incandescent bulb will begin in January 2013 followed by the departure of its 60-watt and 40-watt counterparts. Huntsberry, an electrician for 22 years, favors the new bulbs. "These (new energy-efficient) bulbs have a longer lifetime and hardly put out any heat," Huntsberry said. "The main drawback is the cost of the new bulbs." The new energy-efficient bulbs are mainly ones that use halogen technology, compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED bulbs. But some area residents prefer the incandescent bulbs, and businesses have been filling shelves to meet the demand of traditional bulbs. John Deville, assistant manager of Chuck's Ace Hardware in Pineville, said demand for incandescent bulbs has been higher than normal. "We're constantly filling our shelves with the incandescent bulbs," Deville said. "Thirty-eight percent of the bulbs we carry will be eliminated because of the new legislation." Kevin Graves, a Sutherland's Home Improvement manager in Alexandria, said popularity of the new bulbs is increasing overall, but he said a lot of older people don't like the new bulbs. "The new bulbs use less wattage, and that's good," Graves said. "Halogen and LED have most (lighting) fixtures covered." Tioga resident Frances Basco said the new bulbs are harmful to her health. Basco said she was diagnosed with lupus and shouldn't be around fluorescent light. "My friend one day told me that by me having lupus, I shouldn't be around fluorescent light," Basco said. "I searched on the Internet and found out my friend was right. When I go to the store, I would pick up four or five boxes of the (incandescent bulbs) and put them in my utility room at my home. I'm simply not for the new bulbs." Reech said the new bulbs do have advantages. "A lot of apartment complexes and rental properties are going to the (compact fluorescent light bulbs) because they don't need to be changed as often. The (compact fluorescent light bulbs) are good for the elderly because they won't have to worry about changing a bulb all the time that is located in a high place," Reech said. Huntsberry said he helped replace bulbs in light fixtures at Rock-hill Nondenominational Church in Colfax. "I attend Rock-hill, and we replaced 12 light fixtures with 60 15-watt (compact fluorescent light bulbs) in the church's sanctuary," Huntsberry said. "They're using 30 amps less with the new bulbs. I have four of the new bulbs in my home. If people are looking for ways to cut their electricity, then this is it." Source: thetowntalk.com