Huntsville Alabama Houses Blog

Edison's Light Bulb Banned by 2013

In 1879, Thomas Edison mastered the incandescent light bulb, providing lighting for generations to come. Not much has changed from Edison's design since he demonstrated his design to fascinated spectators and skeptical critics. Yesterday, 128 years later, Congress and the President signed an energy bill that bans that design in the year 2013.

The only alternative will be the fluorescent bulbs you may have been hearing about over the last couple of years. If you haven't seen these bulbs, they are significantly larger than an incandescent bulb and have a curly shape to them. They are also 6 times the cost of a typical incandescent bulb.

The ban will effect homeowners in significant ways, particularly those trying to sell a home. Here are some things you need to know about these new bulbs and how they will effect you.

-Since the bulbs are significantly larger, they do not fit in many lighting fixtures. Typical fixtures in which they do not fit are many ceiling or wall mounted fixtures, chandelier style fixtures over kitchen tables, and garage door openers.

-These bulbs do not work with dimmers. IE, that fancy remote control system for your fixtures in your home will no longer function.

-These bulbs do not work in three way lighting fixtures.

-These bulbs will not be effective in flood lights.

Typical sales contracts state electrical systems in a house must be in normal and operating condition. This includes lighting fixtures. If you try to sell your home beyond 2013, and the new bulbs won't fit or work in existing fixtures, you may be forced to replace these fixtures at your expense. And, since new fixtures and bulbs will be in high demand, you can expect prices to rise significantly.

Whether you intend to stay in your home indefinitely or sell it beyond 2013, now is the time to evaluate your current fixtures and begin replacing those fixtures that won't be able to handle the new bulbs. You'll save yourself a chunk of change by being proactive. Mind you, I'm not advocating you go ahead and replace all your bulbs....just the fixtures.

Unless the industry can figure a way of making these bulbs smaller for the same amount of light, you can expect your biggest expense to be your garage door opener which is simply too small to handle such a large bulb. The problem is not the light socket itself, but the plastic protective cover that goes over the light. Sure, you could just remove the cover and toss it, but when you go to sell your home it could become a point of contention. I know it sounds silly, but IT DOES HAPPEN.

Many of you may or may not have used these bulbs before, and you certainly have an opinion of whether or not you like them. I installed some in my home a year ago in hopes of reducing my energy costs. Unfortunately, comparing my electrical bills this year to last year's, I haven't seen any significant change in my costs or usage.

Many people have complained they don't like the color of light these bulbs give off, with many saying they cause migraines. Personally, the color is the only thing I DO like about them. I do get an occasional migraine, but not from the bulbs.

These bulbs are also supposed to last 5 years or so. However, I have not found that to be the case. I've already replaced several that quit working, and the remainder of the bulbs aren't quite as bright as they were when I originally installed them.

I think the most annoying thing about these bulbs is they are just like any other fluorescent bulb...they take a while to warm up particularly when it's cooler. For example, my the light in my garage is so dim during the winter time, it takes a good 15 minutes for my 1000 lumen fluorescent bulb to give me enough light to get the Christmas gifts out of the car.

I don't even want to talk about my porch light, which takes just as long in the winter and attracts many more bugs in the summer than my incandescent ever did.

Regardless of your opinion on these bulbs, you will have to replace some fixtures by 2013. Why not start now?

Todd

www.huntsvillealabamahouses.com

Typically I don't like to speculate...on anything. Speculation is usually another word for "guess". But, due to the numerous questions I'm flooded with each month, I'm going to make an exception. Here are my predictions for 2008.

- In an effort to attempt to get buyers back in the market and the economy back on track, the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates no less than 3 times.

- The federal government will pass laws limiting the types of loans lenders can offer to prospective buyers. They will particularly focus on banning pre-payment penalties. This is already beginning to gain steam.

- The federal government will create new programs in an attempt to slow the growth of foreclosures.

- Foreclosures will continue to rise through July, where they will peak and remain steady through the remainder of the year.

- Mortgage lenders will continue to tighten restrictions on most loans. We may even see the complete disappearance of "stated income" loans if Congress doesn't ban them first.

- The 100% loan will begin to fade away and be much harder to find.

- As a result of continuing losses due to foreclosure, Primary Mortgage Insurance (PMI) rates will continue to skyrocket. I don't expect PMI rates to ever go back down.

- Inflation due to gas prices, which the government is currently unwilling or unable to do anything about, will cause the home buying market to continue its decline through most of 2008. Simply put, people won't be able to afford the homes they once could.

- The number of new real estate agents entering the market will decline.

- The number of existing real estate agents changing careers will increase. Simply put, many agents will fail.

- The median income of the real estate agent will continue to decline. In 2006, the nationwide MEDIAN (the one in the middle) income was 39,900. The news media is reporting the median income has declined for 2007.

For North Alabama, residential sales in 2007 are at 2.1 billion dollars. There are currently 3194 agents. The typical agent gets 3% with a split of 75/25 with their broker. Using these numbers, the average (MEAN) income of an agent here is just less than $15,000.

- The housing and mortgage market will not be an issue in the presidential election. Politicians on both sides will be reluctant to address the issue.

- Home builders will be desperate to sell existing inventory, and be willing to offer added value to buyers.

- The business failure rate of home builders will skyrocket.

- 2008 will be the year of the "buyer's market". Buyers will have more choices, more house for the money, and more leverage when asking for repairs or updates.

- For the real estate industry, the internet will become more of an informational tool rather than a lead generation tool. Agents that embrace technology to pass information quickly will have a competitive advantage.

- As a result of the recent lender problems, buyers will become more wary of mortgage lender practices and therefore choose their lender more wisely.

Well, there you have it. Got a prediction? Feel free to share it here!

Todd

www.huntsvillealabamahouses.com

Every deal is different....every single one. I can point out specific things about every deal and every house I've had the opportunity to be involved with. Some of those stories are funny...some of them are odd...all of them are educational. And, of course, I've got a couple of "nightmare" stories under my belt too.

If you've ever bought or sold a home, certainly you have a story to tell. I'm inviting you to tell your story here. Simply post it as a comment to this blog entry. Who knows, maybe we'll all get a laugh or maybe even learn something!

Todd

www.huntsvillealabamahouses.com