Less Light
12/20/2013 | | 40w, 60w bulbs, CFL, compact fluorescent light bulbs, econ70, Economic forecasting, economist on radio, economist on TV, eisenberg and economics, Eisenberg and housing economics, Eisenberg and public speaking, Elliot eisenberg, funniest economist, funny housing economist, Graphsandlaughs, graphsandlaughs and eisenberg, household incomes, housing sales, incandescent bulbs, MLS, mortgage banking, Multiple listing service, politics and economics, Public speaking economist
The Friday File: While switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs saves households $150/year, three-tenths-of-one-percent of household income, that so few have switched suggests that households don’t like these bulbs or are ignorant of the savings. Rather than banning the sale of 60W and 40W incandescents beginning 1/1/14, convince us to voluntarily buy them! Otherwise, any savings must be reduced by the rise in household unhappiness from the loss of choice.