Woah...energy saving bulbs are CHEAP through the power company...

[Insane3D]

I have been paying my electric bills online for some time now through my power company's website. Living in NH, I am a residential PSNH customer. I was browsing their website tonight after checking my latest bill, and I noticed they had a online store for PSNH customers with various energy saving products.

I had been contemplating a few different energy conservation ideas for my house since we have some of the highest electric rates in the country here in NH (thanks POS Seabrook Nuclear PP), and I would like to save some $$$. One of the ideas I had been tossing around was replacing most or all of the regular light bulbs in my house with more efficient flourescent bulbs. I was quite shocked to find they were only $0.50 each through PSNH. That is cheaper than most regular 60W bulbs cost. I got 6 each of the 15W (60W), 20W (75W), and 23W (90W).

Total cost for 18 bulbs...$9.00! :Q Shipping was a measly $2.

I also picked up one of these Philips Marathon 3-Way bulbs 18/26/34 (60/90/150) for the floor lamp in my bedroom.

I would post this in hot deals, but you have to be a PSNH customer.

So, does anyone else power company offer anything like this?

 

[Gerbil333]

I thought those things had a reputation for catching fire. Is that right? I can't remember.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
I thought those things had a reputation for catching fire. Is that right? I can't remember.

Not that I have ever heard of...

 

[Kaervak]

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
I thought those things had a reputation for catching fire. Is that right? I can't remember.

I think you mean Halogen bulbs. They get quite hot and can catch curtains/drapes on fire if they are too close.

 

[clicknext]

I can't stand flourescents. Headaches.

 

[Gerbil333]

Originally posted by: Kaervak

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
I thought those things had a reputation for catching fire. Is that right? I can't remember.

I think you mean Halogen bulbs. They get quite hot and can catch curtains/drapes on fire if they are too close.

Yea, that's what I was thinking of.

 

[NeoPTLD]

Those cheap ones doesn't do you any good anyways.

I've had many cheapo CFLs that died within months.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
Those cheap ones doesn't do you any good anyways.

I've had many cheapo CFLs that died within months.

Yeah....but they are 50 CENTS! I got 18, and I need about 6. For 50 cents a pop, they could last a couple months and die for all I care. Anyhow, they warranty everything on the site for at least a year. If I get a year out of them, that's fine with me.


Oh, did I mention they were only 50 CENTS?!?!

 

[isekii]

Order me some man

I was looking for these bulbs but they were way too expensive in the store

 

[0roo0roo]

pretty cheap at ikea

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
pretty cheap at ikea

yea i looked there. everytime i go, they are all sold out

 

[Eli]

Just because they're cheap from the power company doesen't mean they're generic cheap bulbs. I mean, maybe.. but..

I've had one bulb die on me after about 6 months. I think they are sensitive to power issues..

 

[NeoPTLD]

I've had cheap ones that buzzed like crazy.

Why do you want to install something that will only last a few months, takes a few min to warm up, takes two seconds to start up just because they're 50cents each?

CFLs don't like frequent switching. The best way to save energy is to install motion detectors in places like bathroom, laundry room and whereever you tend to leave lights on unnecessarily.

 

[rh71]

If the energy-savers don't make an annoying buzz sound or look any different, I'm all for it. I've yet to find ones that qualify for me though. I did pick up ones for the outside flood lamps. I don't care if those buzz...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
I've had cheap ones that buzzed like crazy.

Why do you want to install something that will only last a few months, takes a few min to warm up, takes two seconds to start up just because they're 50cents each?

CFLs don't like frequent switching. The best way to save energy is to install motion detectors in places like bathroom, laundry room and whereever you tend to leave lights on unnecessarily.

I don't know what kind of sh!tty ass CF bulbs you've been buying, but the ones I have certainly have lasted longer than a few months, don't take a "few minutes" to warm up(wtf?) and definately don't take 2 seconds to come on.

Originally posted by: rh71
If the energy-savers don't make an annoying buzz sound or look any different, I'm all for it. I've yet to find ones that qualify for me though. I did pick up ones for the outside flood lamps. I don't care if those buzz...

Again.. WTF?

I've owned a few brands of CF, and have never noticed any sort of buzz from them......

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
I've had cheap ones that buzzed like crazy.

Why do you want to install something that will only last a few months, takes a few min to warm up, takes two seconds to start up just because they're 50cents each?

CFLs don't like frequent switching. The best way to save energy is to install motion detectors in places like bathroom, laundry room and whereever you tend to leave lights on unnecessarily.

Ok, first off...why are you so certain they wil only last for a few months? I did respond above that the warranty everything from their site for at least a year. Secondly, they will save power...bottom line. I don't use a lot of lights in my house, nor do I leave them on, but every little bit helps.

As for motion detectors, I'm not interested, and it would be more expensive to install those anyhow. I already have a few of my lights in the house coverted to these type of bulbs, and the warm up time, light given off, etc are not an issue.

Regardless, you do what you want, I'll do what I want....k?

 

[arcas]

Occasionally Home Depot will put CFLs on clearance for about that price, maybe a little more. Usually it's their "Commercial Electric" brand and they give off a cool, bluish-tinted light but they're great for things like outdoor porch lights. They also work well in rooms with colored walls (one bedroom has tan walls; with one of these lights in the lamp next to the wall, you'd swear it was incandescant). Only problem is they take a long time to warm up in the winter if you use them outdoors.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I've got those in a few basement rooms and upstairs as well. Crap almighty, they're bright. A single 13W CFL lights up the whole laundry room. At first glance they look "blue" compared to normal indoor lighting, but when you're not directly paying attention, it's a lot more like natural light - ie when looking down the hall, it seemed like there was a window open in the one room.

Gotta get some more.

- M4H

 

[Insane3D]

So, does anyone else have a similar program through their power company?

 

[cliftonite]

I dont think PSE&G has anything like that.

 

[JBT]

my power co in vermont offers some big rebates on energy efficient lights at the local hard ware store. ussually cost like 20 bucks but with the rebates they cost 3 bucks pretty good.