> The CFD manufacture and disposal cost are sunken costs
Yes but the manufacture and disposal of the LED aren't yet. The calculation you want is whether running the inefficient CFL ends up being better than the energy used in the whole supply chain of manufacturing and shipping the LED bulb.
Switching means spending led_rate + 2 supply_chain costs while keeping your old bulbs means cfl_rate + 1 supply_chain. I'd put money that the latter being better for the environment.
Edit: To the person who downvoted me but didn't reply do tell how literally throwing away a 10W CFL and replacing it with a 6W LED is better for the environment than just using the CFL until it breaks and then buying an LED.
When environmental savings due to using less electricity exceed the environmental cost of a new bulb, it is better to use a new bulb (with caveats). I carefully explained that literally.
I didn't downvote you (can't downvote replies). I generally downvote people who comment about downvotes (even edits), since it is against HN guidelines. If you get downvotes, the value is in wondering to yourself: why. Not that the person who originally downvoted you is unlikely to reread your comment.
I deserve downvotes for this comment for mentioning downvoting, and perhaps because I went off-topic.
Edit: also IMHO worrying excessively about karma makes for unhealthy conversations.
Yes but the manufacture and disposal of the LED aren't yet. The calculation you want is whether running the inefficient CFL ends up being better than the energy used in the whole supply chain of manufacturing and shipping the LED bulb.
Switching means spending led_rate + 2 supply_chain costs while keeping your old bulbs means cfl_rate + 1 supply_chain. I'd put money that the latter being better for the environment.
Edit: To the person who downvoted me but didn't reply do tell how literally throwing away a 10W CFL and replacing it with a 6W LED is better for the environment than just using the CFL until it breaks and then buying an LED.