POLL:Compact fluorescent light bulbs

compudog

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2001
5,782
0
71
I have been replacing incandescant lamps whenever possible. The light output is better (IMO) and they last much longer at lower cost.
 

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
1
81
Originally posted by: compudog
I have been replacing incandescant lamps whenever possible. The light output is better (IMO) and they last much longer at lower cost.

What brands are you using?
 

rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
7,393
0
0
I'm replacing my current bulbs with CF's as they burn out. Some of my lights/lamps won't work out with CF bulbs though.

Ryan
 

ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
0
By CF bulbs, I assume you mean the ones with an integrated ballast and connector for a standard incandescent light socket. If so, I generally put those in lamps that run longer. Standard incandescent bulbs remain in lamps that are too small, or lamps that don't run very much.
 

MWink

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,642
1
76
We've started using them in as many lamps as possible. We live in an area where the voltage tends to be high (125V most of the time) and incandescent bulbs burn out really fast. The CF bulbs don't seem to mind the high voltage. I've been using an 18W in my room for more than a year and it's still going strong.
 

cavemanmoron

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,664
28
91
i have used flourescent lights for years,
I had a double circle flourescent light,{like some people used in the kitchen}
in my Living room in 1983,as well as in my kitchen, and i had a 4 foot double flourescent in my "den"
as well as several in my basement.

The new compact flourescents are a Lot better,as you can use a "cheap" screw incandesent style
lamp holder,and use these in Lots of places now,
They use a Lot less electric and pay for the extra inital cost thusly.
I am using one on my outside front porch,{out of the weather} and it works even at -15 F.. :)

I have 3 in a ceiling fan and 2 of those are over 2 years old!
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
all ikea and panasonic here:)


good stuff:)

i like to use many small cf's to light a room then a giant one. sorta costs more though
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
They suck fluorescent masks movement and is bad on your eyes. I unscrewed the light switch in my office and just use daylight or a lamp.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
Originally posted by: Carbonyl
They suck fluorescent masks movement and is bad on your eyes. I unscrewed the light switch in my office and just use daylight or a lamp.

depends on the refresh of the flourescent. you can get higher then 60hz ballasts now.
 

RU482

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
12,689
3
81
I'm still running 2-3 GE CF bulbs that I bought for my first apartment back in 1996. Bonus was that the Energy company was running a refund on them back then (they were ~$12each)
 

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
1
81
Originally posted by: redly1
I'm still running 2-3 GE CF bulbs that I bought for my first apartment back in 1996. Bonus was that the Energy company was running a refund on them back then (they were ~$12each)

They are about $3/each at costco for 60w equivilents.
 

vtqanh

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2001
3,100
0
76
I use the Trimax series from Maxlite, the 5000 Kelvin one, it gives you the "white light" (or so-called full spectrum), much easier on the eyes than the yellow-ish color from the incandescent bulbs. You can get 12 of those on A to T lamps (which has an Ebay store, or you can buy at their online store) for about 60 bucks. They are 23W (approximately 90 Watts)
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
They're the only way to go unless you like buying lightbulbs and paying your electric bill.
 

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
1
81
Originally posted by: Jellomancer
Originally posted by: Eli
They're the only way to go unless you like buying lightbulbs and paying your electric bill.

I like not having a flickering pink light.

The ones I have put in do not flicker or pink, but they are bit a slow to get to full brightness.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
81
Originally posted by: charrison
Originally posted by: Jellomancer
Originally posted by: Eli
They're the only way to go unless you like buying lightbulbs and paying your electric bill.

I like not having a flickering pink light.

The ones I have put in do not flicker or pink, but they are bit a slow to get to full brightness.

 

OFFascist

Senior member
Jun 10, 2002
985
0
0
I love them.

I have one in the lamp in my room that I've had for over 5 years now and it still works fine.
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
Have about 20 or so of them around the house. Use them wherever possible.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
Originally posted by: N8Magic
I use GE Reveal bulbs.

They've been great so far.

i think those are even more inefficient, or was it that they have less of a life span. either way its not cf:p i do use em in bathrooms though.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,374
8,499
126
bah, i like my 400 watt halogen torchiere. that thing is 4 years old, on all the time, and still going strong
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
Originally posted by: ElFenix
bah, i like my 400 watt halogen torchiere. that thing is 4 years old, on all the time, and still going strong

you don't live in california eh?

i just remember generally californians use way less power then the rest of the country. dunno how the rest of the country eats that much more electricity. its not used for heat that i know of.