DEALS ON COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS (add your deals to the list!) Use these in new OD lamps! -Stop Energy Crisis!!

[spec411]

Ok we all know about the power games the utilities and suppliers are playing over in CA - heres a few deals on Compact Flourescent Lights, which use 75% less energy and last about 10 times longer...I know a while back someone had posted a site where they were about $2.50 each...i searched but couldnt find it...please add more deals to this list!

I did a bit of searching and heres what I came up with


http://www.compactoffer.com/nsp.htm

they offer CFLS up to 23 watts (roughly the light of a 100 watt bulb) for $9.95 each...

http://www.efi.org/products/lighting/max11.html

they have 11 and 15 watt bulbs (roughly 60 & 75 watt) for $7.57 each if you buy a quantity of 5 or more

FOR SILICON VALLEY, CA RESIDENTS ONLY
there is a special rebate program where bulbs are as low as $2 each!

http://www.siliconvalleypower.com/plugin/svp_customers/efficient_lightbulbs/index.html

choose the "Harmony Lighting 3 pack" - 3 bulbs for $6.14! This price reflects the energy companys rebate (instant rebate)..there is a link to click for the deal without the local rebate, the bulbs are $7.95 each or $20 for the 3 pack

I checked PG&Es website (the N. California energy company) and they offered a $5.50 rebate PER CFL bulb, but it was only for business customers and the form on the web expired in 2000 - perhaps they have a similar program for residences now ?? We sure need it!
If anyone can find more deals, or other rebate programs please post!!!

 

[dbLA]

I am a big fan of compact fluorescent bulbs, and have been using them for about 15 years. They almost never burn out, and pay for themselves 2 to 5 times over with the energy savings.

Do the math yourself: You save at least 75 watts to get the equivalent light of a 100 watt incandescent. If you use a 25 watt fluorescent (instead of a 100 watt incandescent) bulb five hours a day for 5 years, at 7 cents/kilowatt-hour, you have just saved almost $50 in electricity.

Learn from my mistakes:

1. Stay away from no-name, cheap brands, like lights-of-america

2. Philips and other major brands are the best. Pay now or pay later, as they say.

3. Circle-lights may be cheaper, but they flicker more, have a poor color spectrum, and they are difficult to fit into most lamps.

4. Measure your fixture to see what sort of clearance you have, then measure the bulb before buying it.

Some additional features (good and bad) of compact fluorescents:

1. They run cool, so they are unlikely to start fires or exceed the rated capacity of any fixture.

2. Some models of bulbs can interfere with X10 signalling (rare).

3. When switched on, full brightness is not reached for a minute or two.

 

[puffpio]

I have one of these that's puts out an equivalent 100 watt bulb at around 25 watts.

Are there any of these kinds of bulbs that are as bright as halogens? I want something that can put out an equivalent of 300-500 watts

 

[Startide Rising]

Lights of America (made in China) is fairly cheap at Sam's Club. While LoA is a disgusting source, I have to admit they are cheap and seem to last (with the Sam's Club guarantee it is foolproof). Isn't it all about the price (and not human rights?)... About $14 for two flourescent lights. If you do buy, be aware not to pick the 3-way CFLS if all you wanted was the single-wattage version. While you can find CFLS lights (bulb and base) at Sam's Club & Wal-Mart B&M (and use your 20% discount trick), some people who already have them might just want a replacement bulb.

You can find just the replacement bulbs online at Intek Industries (distributor of Lights Of America CFLS and bulbs). Bulbs are $6.50 each but different types are available ranging from linear quads to circular spiral to circular.

For the person who wanted a 300 Watt equivalent fluorescent lamp, they do make them. There is a Torchiere fluorescent version that is fully dimmable from 0 to 300 Watts equivalent. Walmart's Fluorescent Torchiere (300Watt equivalent, dimmable) $59.97

With a free shipping coupon (any left?) at Walmart, the above torchiere is a pretty good deal (and no more fire hazard with halogens - neighbors had a halogen torchiere that they didn't switchover from, and one of their kids tossed a lego block on top of it... yuck!)

 

[Ribbet]

Not CFL, but in a related vein...

$50 - $175 rebate on front-loading (tumble wash), "Energy Star" washing machines offered by 18 utility companies in several NE states (NY, MA, CT, VT, NH).

Link to TumbleWash.Com

This site not only lists participating utility companies (and rebate$ they're offering), it also lists retailers for your shopping pleasure.

 

[AmbitV]

lights of america is cheap indeed...I bought a flourescent torchiere that is supposed to be equivalent to 300w halogen...
has been working fine for me, only $20 at home depot!
picked up two for $40...you need two to really be equivalent to one 300w i think

 

[yodayoda]

i signed up for Green Power with the LADWP. city of LA is not energy-strapped (in fact the city makes its own power and has a large surplus right now and is selling it to PG&E and SoCal Ed for a tidy profit), but they send you free compact fluorescent bulbs, i think 2 every couple of months. green power is more expensive (on average $2 a month more), but they saw they invest the money in alternative energy sources and they send you free stuff.

 

[ltm]

I was going to pop for some of these bulbs through the links you provided .. but didn't. Went to my local Target and found GE Compact bulbs for $10, all varieties. Phillips were $15/bulb.

My one regret, is that while I made sure I had the height for the bulbs, I didn't notice the sconce these guys were going to be screwed into was to narrow.

Oh, well. Put them somewhere else.

 

[springnr]

JKRL is reasonable on their prices.($6-7) I changed over at the end of last year and am happy with the subcompact fluorescent bulbs.

JKRL

JKRL Bulb size info

Fluorescent Torchiere site

Savings Calculator

 

[Cyberian]

I have also been using Flourescents wherever feasible for a long time.

What are you guys paying for a KWH of electricity where you live?
I'm on Long Island,NY and it's quite high here.

Rates

 

[ingenue007]

i can't stand flourescents. i can detect the flicker sometimes and the light is just a weird color.

 

[Ribbet]

Cyberian...

In San Francisco: $116/1000 kwh to $133/1000 kwh. These seem a little less than your's (Long Island), but ... our utility company likes to shut off our power periodically so you can have more power

ingenue007 ...

I know what you mean about flicker/color. But you might want to try the newer CFL bulbs. We just installed several, and we've noticed no flicker. And, as others have suggested, although ours come on with a slight yellow tint (and dimmed), they turn white-&-bright within 30-60 seconds.

springnr ...

Avoid JKRL like the plague -- at least for the next 3 months! We have yet to receive an order placed 3 months ago (mid-November, 2000). We were promised shipment within 2 days, and we're now on a first-name basis with their staff since we've e-mailed/called them at least every week since. They are polite, do-nothing staff, who's actions betray the "customer service" commitments expressed on the site you referred to. Please call 'em and ask if they've had any "delivery problems" lately. Mention the good doctor in San Francisco -- see what they say (877-543-6127 (Toll Free)).

 

[Ribbet]

[edit] Delete double post .. sorry [/Edit]

 

[springnr]

Ribbet, guess I got lucky. I ordered 11/11 and when nothing showed up I sent an email ask what the heck. Their Managing Director emailed me right back that the fulfillment team had missed my order an he sent it out with two freebee bulbs. They arrived a couple days later.

 

[yodayoda]

it is spelled FLUORESCENT.... u before o. sorry, it bugs, you know?

<edit>
on a lark, i typed in fluorescent.com and it is a website that sells a wide variety of fluorescent bulbs. decent looking site, and i found it all because I SPELLED IT CORRECTLY! =)
</edit>

 

[Cheapster]

This is all new to me, never put much thought into light bulbs. Thanks for the excellent post, I'll look around locally to see what I can find. Every penny in my pocket is a penny toward another piece of hardware!

 

[spec411]

Yodayoda...thanks for the spelling correction!! I couldve sworn it was how I spelled it (my web search had the wrong spelling but still pulled up what I pulled up!)

Its much better when looking for deals on CFLS to type the word right:
FLUORESCENT

 

[lamchop9]

My roommate and I got some 18Watters to replace our previous 300W Halogens. Cut our electric bill from $45 to around $20. Help prevent further blackouts in CA. Hot Deal!

 

[Ribbet]

(spec411 [OP] mentioned our November post about CFL light bulbs for $2 - $4 each. Here's an update; we'll also post this separately -- it's a fantastic deal if you're a PG&amp;E customer: Pacific Gas &amp; Electric, Northern California.)

============

Since saving energy (especially electricity) is even more vital now than when we originally posted this ...

CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs are available at **incredible savings** (70% off) for PG&amp;E customers (Northern California, and maybe other areas): CFL bulbs normally cost $10-$15 each; you can get them for $2-$4!

Quick Link to CHEAP CFL bulbs for PG&amp;E Customers

This deal was originally scheduled to end December, 2000. But the link above now shows you can order until March 20, 2001.

NOTES:
==============

1. CFL bulbs work great -- our electric bill (usage, actually) has dropped monthly since we began installing CFLs. CFL bulbs use about 65-70% LESS energy than standard incandescent bulbs for the same output. They also last 8-10 times longer -- they save lots of time replacing hard-to-replace bulbs, and save $$$ for years.

2. This deal is for customers of PG&amp;E (Pacific Gas &amp; Electric) who are &quot;Multi-Unit Dwelling Customers&quot; (apartment/coop/condo dwellers). BUT... we **called** in our order and were **not** asked where/in-what we lived.

In other words, if you're a PG&amp;E customer, PLEASE DO THIS! It's a fantastic deal, and you'll save money for years! (Ask questions if you're unsure.)

3. You pay **no** tax or shipping if you order from a vendor outside of California (see JKRL below).

4. JKRL, the vendor we ordered from ($200), offers the greatest variety of sizes/wattages. But, their service can be horrible -- although they're polite/nice/apologetic, we ordered in November, and received our stuff today (February, 14, 2001 -- and it's still incomplete)!

5. We've learned the following (offered so you know what to expect and aren't initially disappointed): CFL bulbs may flicker briefly when coming on, and may yield yellow/dim light initially; but within 20-30 seconds, the yellow tint disappears, and they burn bright-white.

[soapbox mode on] If you're hesitating to do this, ASK questions. It's a great/smart/responsible thing to do; and since CFL bulbs last 8-10 times longer than normal light bulbs, you'll save $$$ and time for years. [/soapbox mode off]

 

[Healey]

Finally heard back from JRKL.

They took my order but informed me that they're back ordered till about April 1st.

Still a great deal. They don't seem to be too concerened about your status as a PG&amp;E customer. In fact they didn't even ask me about the end use. And I have a SoCal address, PG&amp;E isn't even down here.

 

[spec411]

I left a message for JKRL, they called me back this week and said theyre swamped with orders and cant take any new ones for the PG&amp;E program, but tried ro sell the same bulbs to me at $7 each!!

I would try one of the other suppliers...

 

[Underclocked]

These bulbs cost 5-20 times as much as regular bulbs, require more of our material resources to manufacture and the cost of energy to manufacture them is greater. Also, they are not as widely available.
This means you are going to have to work many hours to pay for the new bulbs and that will involve extra transportation - thus energy wasted/expended. You are going to have to drive (someone will) to get these bulbs and return, also expending energy.
The additional wages and travel you will have made is sure to involve paying extra taxes to the various governments - the biggest waste of all.


How is it these new bulbs save???






ps: I just felt the urge.

 

[spec411]

Underclocked: In cas you havent herd, theres an &quot;energy crisis&quot; in CA...while the fact of whether there is &quot;really&quot; a crisis or whther its just an excuse to make more money is debateable, the fact is most of our energy bills have inctreased 300% or more in the past few months, and are headed higher...

normal, non energy-wasting households are paying nearly $400/month for energy! That is ridiculously expensive.

Everyone needs light bulbs on a regular basis, so you are not wasring resources by &quot;driving to go buy them&quot;. we still have to drive to buy the regular bulbs...and this way we can do that 1/10 as often....We can order these bulbs from the comfort of our home (dont have to drive to get them)..

also this saves us the time and energy of replacing bulbs every 6 months=1year....many fixtures are difficult to reach and changing bulbs every 10 years DEFINITELY saves the &quot;personal energy&quot; expended to frequently replace bulbs...and the bottom line is most Californians will save $20-$50 a month on their energy bill - definitely a hot deal

 

[tchinhe]

So how about the SUNPARK Electronics, SURYA brand are these any good? I didnot see anyone mention anything about it.

 

[Mday]

i live in nyc, i've been thinking of going that route myself, for my room...

i just don't know which bulbs are the best =\