I feel violated.

[Food Lady]

OK, I know this is a total first world problem and I am overreacting over less than $5, but I need to vent.

So there's some kind of environmental group that works with my apartment complex to make sure we're saving water/electricity. We have water-saving shower heads, which I'm all for, no problem there. The group also comes and provides fluorescent bulbs for all fixtures. Today they came while I was at work (no choice in this; mandated by the rental company) and replaced all of my regular bulbs. I expected this. I also expected them to leave my bulbs on the counter, like they did last time. They took my 5 globe lights from the bathroom, which are very hard to find, and that I paid for myself. (They probably didn't know that, but I'm still mad). I'm not getting them back because the company recycles them. Why do I want them back? The fluorescent ones are so bright they hurt my eyes, even with only one on. I am not going to go pay for a bunch of lower-output ones but instead going to get regular ones, which are still less expensive than the fluorescent ones. What's really ridiculous is that I could understand this if electricity was included in the rent, but I pay for electricity and heat, and I leave my heat really low. I save more energy than anyone in this building! It feels kind of ridiculous to call taking my bulbs theft, but a friend agrees it really is. I learned my lesson--next time I need to hide my regular bulbs. At least they didn't take my 3-way bulb from the lamp in the living room.

[LillFilly]

I know the feeling.

I didn't know the apartment complex was having the exterior door frames replaced; we never got notices - I figure they didn't think it would affect us. But if I'd known, I'd have taken the wreath and lights from around my door down to be considerate. What WASN'T considerate were the workers who tore and stomped my string of lights, tore up the wreath and left it all in front of my door..

[notalwaysright]

Huh. It just seems wasteful to get rid of light bulbs before they burn out. Most people I know bought CFLs when their old incandescent ones burned out. I mean, each apartment probably has the same amount of fixtures, so just drop off the bulbs and the tenant can replace as needed.

Lillyfilly, are they going to compensate you at all? That's private property, right?

[LillFilly]

I agree that if the bulbs worked it was a waste to throw them out, not to mention they should have at least asked you if you wanted them to get rid of them for you.

Lillyfilly, are they going to compensate you at all? That's private property, right?

The apartment asked if I wanted to talk with the contractors about getting reimbursed but for the time it would take and headache I let it go. It was a 4$ string of lights and a wreath from a yard sale, so it was more the point of the matter. I did have to do the same thing one other time and did demand compensation for it because a contractor company left a bunch of sharp scraps of siding in the parking lot and I punctured a tire on it.

[Pagan]

PNM, our electric provider, has a program where they put a device on your refrigerated AC unit and during the summer, on certain weekday afternoons when electricity demand goes up, the AC is automatically put into a conservation mode. You shouldn't really notice any difference inside, use your thermostat normally. And, when you sign up, you get an annual $25 check. I signed up one spring.

Not even halfway through the summer, the management office of my apartment complex decided they weren't going to let residents participate. I never was able to get an answer out of them why not. I'm the one that pays the electricity. The device PNM put on, it wasn't huge or even noticeable.

[Food Lady]

Well, I spent $7 on some dimmer light bulbs and next time I will hide the ones I bought so they don't take them. They modified the faucets, too, and I'm glad they didn't just take my mounted sprayer. My kitchen is still too bright, even with the dimmer light bulbs. *sigh*

[gremcint]

is this a requirement of your lease or something because from what you tell me they came into your apartment without permission or prior notice.

[Food Lady]

We had notice. They're allowed to come in with the manager. They shouldn't have taken anything out of my apt, though. What if the ones I'd had in were expensive LED bulbs?

[otakuneko]

Well that's just rude.

And also theft. You've been victimized. Your apartment was burglarized. Worth a complaint to management at least.

[MoonCat]

If those were incandescent bulbs, you'll have to move fast to replace them. When the supplies run out, that will be it; they're being phased out.

[Sapphire Silk]

Huh. It just seems wasteful to get rid of light bulbs before they burn out. Most people I know bought CFLs when their old incandescent ones burned out. I mean, each apartment probably has the same amount of fixtures, so just drop off the bulbs and the tenant can replace as needed.

Lillyfilly, are they going to compensate you at all? That's private property, right?

This is how I'm replacing my bulbs. One at a time. CFLs and LEDs are too expensive to replace all at once.

Worth it to me; I've done a lot of energy efficient upgrades to my house and my electric bills are making it worth it.

But for a contractor to come in and take my bulbs if I were in a rental is a non-starter if I'm the one paying the electric bill. I would have told the manager they did NOT have permission to do this. Tenants are usually responsible for light bulbs so I'm astonished they did this.

If those were incandescent bulbs, you'll have to move fast to replace them. When the supplies run out, that will be it; they're being phased out.

Not all incandescents. The globe ones will probably be produced for awhile; a lot of people still use them even though they're usually used in fixtures that are quite dated (I got rid of mine earlier this year).

[otakuneko]

Incandescents are not going to be disappearing, at least not all of them. You'll still be able to buy them, but the price will likely be higher.

[AccountingDrone]

I now have one of the expensive spifftastic LED bulbs, an anniversary present from Rob. I have the pendant light fixture that goes with it, also cost about the same as the bulb [I think they actually came as a pair, one bulb and one shade for less than the $200 it would have cost separately, maybe something like $180 or $175?] I adore it. I can use my phone to tweak the color and light level, absolutely fantastic for when I have a migraine and I need just a tiny touch of light.

[raudf]

They shouldn't mess with LEDs, because over all, the performance of those is supposedly better than even CFLs. For one, they do produce a lot less heat and from what I can tell, a lot more light. I've changed all but two of my lights to LEDs, due to heat. Arkansas is NOT kind during the summer.

[Kittykat]

I don't understand how that is legal, considering you pay for your own electricity.