DEAR TIM: Light bulbs in my home are burning out more quickly
than ever. After a few days, a new bulb will not work. Are new
light bulbs not high quality any longer? When I go to buy new
bulbs it is very confusing. There are so many choices, I don't
know what energy-saving light bulbs to buy. Is there a real
difference between all of the light bulbs I see at the stores?
Diane T., Bellevue, WA DEAR DIANE: I am convinced hundreds of
thousands of light bulbs are buried alive in landfills and/or
broken at recycling facilities. There is not a doubt in my mind
the bulbs you think are bad are still actually good. They have
failed because someone screwed them in too tightly into the
socket. If you look at the base of a traditional light bulb, you
will see a droplet of solder. This solder connects to one end of
the filament inside the bulb. The other end of the filament
connects to the aluminum threads at the base of the bulb. Inside
the socket of the light fixture, you will see a brass tab. When
the light fixture is