Light bulbs do not waste heat

Dear sir - May I remind readers that Friday 14th November is the last official day for protests against the proposal to ban light bulbs, starting March 2009. This is an unprecedented ban on a product because it is not for any safety concerns with the product itself (as there is with a fluorescent, 'energy saving" light). Indeed light bulbs have a long proven track record of safety. They are also cheap, versatile, easy to use with other equipment, respond quickly in the cold and come in many sizes. No, the ban is simply because they are judged to be inefficient, something consumers can surely decide for themselves, and pay for as they wish. Specifically, light bulbs are said to waste energy as heat. Turn it around! Light bulbs do not waste heat. Light bulbs 'waste" light. 95 per cent heat, 5 per cent light, more or less. The efficiency labelling could therefore specify a recommendation for dual purpose winter use. As it happens, recent research at the University of Toronto and elsewhere shows that light bulbs can be more economical than fluorescent lights once any room heating is needed, lowering heating bills in accordance with their much smaller energy use than ordinary heaters (20 100W light bulbs = 2 KW). Remember that room heat rises to the ceiling and spreads downwards from there. Ironically, the first bulbs up for banning are the high wattage bulbs (100W and similar) that are particularly good in heating effect as well as in brightness and light quality, at the same low price as other bulbs. Carbon emissions from electricity generating power stations is the real problem? Then carbon emissions should be dealt with in the first place! New cheap carbon emissions filtering and processing exists, as alternative to expensive sinks, developed in Wyoming and California USA. Since it is electricity use - not any bulb - that is supposed to be so environmentally bad, then of course the electricity use itself can be temporarily taxed to fund ESB putting in the filters, rather than rummaging around people"s homes to find out what they can or can"t be allowed to use. Direct taxes on inefficiency can also be put in place. Yours, Dr Peter Thornes, Radiologist, Elsinore" Erne Terrace" Dublin 2.