Light Work

Energy ain�t easy.

Two months ago, I wrote glowingly about a new light bulb that uses one-fourth the electricity of regular bulbs and lasts 10 times as long.

Several readers wrote in objecting to the compact fluorescent lights: they contain toxic mercury, lighting and color vary, they cause headaches, they�re not made in America, and they don�t work as well in some locations.

There are good answers to those good questions. But the letters illuminate a large truth about energy: nothing�s simple.

The lesson applies to national energy experts, and to every one of us in our homes trying to keep the air conditioner on without breaking the bank.

The lesson is that every energy solution brings problems. Making things better requires the hard work of minimizing the bad and enhancing the good.

But making the right decision is getting easier with compact fluorescents.

As the bulbs become more popular, more choices are improving their brightness and usefulness. Changes in technology have eliminated the headaches caused by the old flickering fluorescent tubes. Unfortunately, it�s true that these bulbs are not made in the United States.

But the top objection relates to the mercury they contain. The amount of mercury in each is so small the Environmental Protection Agency says homeowners do not need to follow special disposal rules. The EPA does recommend caution, similar to care that should be taken when disposing of paint or motor oil.

You can find out more about disposing of compact fluorescent bulbs next to the letters from readers.

That article recommends a Web site, www.earth911.com, where you can type in your zip code to find the nearest disposal site. I entered zip codes from the more remote parts of Kentucky and found pitifully few disposal options. But that may be getting better as well.

In June, Wal-Mart tested a one-day program in four states, accepting compact fluorescents for proper disposal. Wal-Mart reports the test went well, and is considering expanding the program.

Energy still won�t be easy, but Kentucky Living will continue to do the work of giving you information you need to make the best choices.