The unthinkable
Sunday I actually put myself at risk for mercury contamination. No, I didn't go out and buy a mess of fish to eat (since ribs don't have mercury I think I'm safe); instead I actually bought CFL light bulbs. I figured since Giant was doing a buy one get two free sale I may as well get some - so now I'm expecting a $5 a month electric bill next winter. I just haven't figured out where to put them yet.
The problem I have is that I spend the predominant part of my awake time at work, but when I'm not there I'm generally in here typing away and the lamp in this room has a 3-way bulb. Same goes for my living room lamp. So I suppose those two rooms are out.
I could put one of the bulbs in my bedroom lamp, but it brings up another question. Since I have a lamp there that doesn't recommend using a bulb that's over 60 watts, can I put a 100-watt CFL there? Supposedly it gives the 100 watts of light on just 26 watts but would that be an issue because of heat? I figured for the price I may as well get the highest watts of light I could, since they were all the same cost.
There are a couple other places I could put the bulbs, one being the laundry closet. I have a bad habit sometimes of forgetting the dryer is running or that my washer is finished with its cycle so I usually leave that light on full-time when I do laundry as a reminder to myself to check (I notice the light shining through the louvered door into the hallway.) But if I somehow manage to break the bulb how would I ventilate the room since there's no window? And would it contaminate any clothes which happen to be in there?
So I have these bulbs but I'm not sure just what to do with them, besides eat the discount I could have received had I bought the bulbs at other outlets (courtesy of Delmarva Power and paid for as part of my electric bill each month.) I'm not sure if I can put them in my bathroom fixtures because of moisture and I'm pretty sure they can't go outside because of the vagaries of Delmarva weather so scratch that thought.
I guess they'll just have to look interesting in my closet until I figure all of this out, or unless someone wants to buy some CFL bulbs cheap. Given that Giant still had a whole bunch of them still in stock that may be a long shot, at least until next week. I'm still expecting that $5 a month electric bill though.