Energy efficient lightbulb expensive but

[wchou]

You will save in the long run, after 6 months it will already pay for itself. This stuff last up to 5 years and does not blowout easy like conventional lightbulb.

I've found them as cheap as 4 for 5.00 but now it's 3.97 for just 1. So grab as many when their is a special deal like that. You will save in air conditioning during the summer as well since it produces much less heat.
http://www.sunset.com/sunset/Premium/Home/2001/06-Jun/ecohome0601/bulbs0601.html

 

[apac]

I've seen them, I they look terrible compared to soft lightbulbs.

 

[redly]

I have tiny flourescent nightlights in my kids rooms. They use 1.5W. crazy for the amount of light they put out

 

[dullard]

I like them too. They give off a really nice light spectrum and are very bright.

This one phrase always bothers me though:

Originally posted by: wchou
You will save in air conditioning during the summer as well since it produces much less heat.

My response: you lose in the winter since now your furnace has to work that much harder. Whatever you gain in one season you lose in the other. It all balances out (assuming you don't change your usage patters seasonally).

 

[luckysnafu]

target sells GE ones like those(swirled ones at least) for cheaper

 

[cjgallen]

We've almost got our whole house equipped with CF. I like 'em.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: dullard
I like them too. They give off a really nice light spectrum and are very bright.

This one phrase always bothers me though:

Originally posted by: wchou
You will save in air conditioning during the summer as well since it produces much less heat.

My response: you lose in the winter since now your furnace has to work that much harder. Whatever you gain in one season you lose in the other. It all balances out (assuming you don't change your usage patters seasonally).

You probably use less light in the summer with the longer days.

 

[mcvickj]

Originally posted by: cjgallen
We've almost got our whole house equipped with CF. I like 'em.

Same. I think they are brighter compaired to a regular bulb.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: notfred
You probably use less light in the summer with the longer days.

Which would make the OPs point even less important (if the light is off, you aren't saving air conditioner money no matter what lightbulb you have installed). Although I don't think too many people change their lighting patterns much.

 

[0roo0roo]

ikea

 

[brian_riendeau]

I changed my whole house over to CFL bulbs when Home Depot had a sale a while back. My wife and I are always home at different times so it seems like lights are always on in the house. I swapped out around 35 bulbs in one day. Electric bill went down $20 the next month, no complaints here.

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: dullard
I like them too. They give off a really nice light spectrum and are very bright.

This one phrase always bothers me though:

Originally posted by: wchou
You will save in air conditioning during the summer as well since it produces much less heat.

My response: you lose in the winter since now your furnace has to work that much harder. Whatever you gain in one season you lose in the other. It all balances out (assuming you don't change your usage patters seasonally).

In FL, it's warmer year round, except for maybe a few days where we need the heat. In our case, CFL makes sense... however... Mrs Dman hates them with a passion. Claims they flicker and dislikes the startup time (not instant like incandescent). Still, I've managed to keep a few, in hallway/closet/etc. I was doing OK in the battle until the kitchen one had some problem in the base that caused it to smolder. It shut off/was ok but now she thinks they are dangerous (moreso than other bulbs).

I'd like to change the 15 high-hat lights over to the equiv. CFL's but I don't think that'll fly... we'd definitely see savings there.

Anyway, these are not new and the prices keep coming down on average. Only major drawback, imo, is lack of variable dimming... I think they have some custom solutions for that but not the same again.

 

[TwiceOver]

I've thought about doing this but I just never seem to have the cash. Maybe I'll drop some of my tax return on light bulbs (odd to say that). Plus some of my lights are a pain in the ass to change anyway.

 

[trmiv]

I'd love to do this to our apartment, but all of the lighting is attached to ceiling, and we have 12 foot ceilings. So changing the damn bulbs requires renting a ladder or calling maintenance to have them do it for you. I never get around to it.

 

[Pepsei]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
ikea

Yes, when they have them 1/2 off, (limit 5), I drag the family and purchased as many as I could. going back for 2nd and 3rds...

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I used one for a little bit, but it hurt my eyes when used with computers. The conflicting blink rates sucked.

 

[Looney]

Replaced all the bulbs in my house too with these years ago. Prices have come down A LOT since.

 

[wfbberzerker]

i have one of the second from the top (on that website) in my dorm room. the light it gives off looks basically the same as a normal incandescent, so i have no problems with it.

 

[TimMyMac]

you can get them pretty cheap these days at hardware stores. I'm really not a big fan of them though, the ones that I've used put off a pale yellow light instead of a soft white like incandecent. (sorry for spelling) They are cheap and work pretty well but the light is just way too colored for my tastes.

 

[Liviathan]

I started switching as lights go out...they work out alright. Pretty bright for the power.

 

[Baked]

I buy them from costco by the dozen... or is that 8/pack. I don't remember. Well, they used to be the same size as regular bulbs, then they shrunk the size.