Fluorescent light bulbs

[randallhilton]

I have to replace another screw in fluorescent light bulb today. If I make a special trip to do it, I'll burn up far more energy replacing the bulb than I would have used if I just stuck with an incandescent bulb. That fries my hide.

Of course, I won't make a special trip to get a new bulb but I'm glad I've learned to do one thing: I save the receipt and packaging for these high dollar bulbs because nearly all of them come with a 5 year or more warranty even though hardly any of them last more than a year or two. Keep that in mind if you're going to use fluorescent lamp bulbs.

[leera]

I've been using them for several years now....It seems that the cheaper ones burn out faster.I just buy the multipacks of them so I have an extra around.....

It's worth the savings in my electrical bill to keep using them.

[Prairie]

I find that my tube flourescents last a very long time, but the CFL bulbs burn out faster than incandescents. I don't think it is the actual bulb, but the ballast inside the unit. I think you'd be better off with a 40W or 60W incandescent and make sure it is off when not in use.

[keydl]

I use both, in the winter incandescent cut the days needing other heat to usually 10. In the summer the CFLs drop the load on the A/C and provide the same light. I have changed a couple of detail lights to LED.

The CFLs are at the flea market for $1-$2 and the incandescent are 4 for $1 at the dollar store - both last 2-3 years most times.

[cubcadet]

I have replaced the most used lightbulbs in the house with cf bulbs. My monthly electric bill averages about $12. I don`t like those units but, if I`m very careful, and don`t break them, they may just pay for themselves. I broke 2 in about 4 years. Once it was my fault, another wasn`t. I really sort of like the cf`s that are made like floodlights. Once they warm up, they`re great.

[King Hugh]

Where the CF's really shine in my house is in the ceiling fans. The vibrations used to kill an incandescent bulb a week! I've had the same CFL's in some of the fans for over a year now and they are still working.

Where I've found them to be no good at all is in outside fixtures during the winter...they don't seem to like the cold weather at all.

[MEBrian]

One thing that will kill a CFL is turning it on and off. That kills 'em real quick.

Tip: if you'll be back in a few minutes, let it burn. It costs more to turn one on than to just leave it be. I'll let someone smarter than myself figure start up current vs letting it burn.

[PattyW]

Actually they did an episode on Mythbusters about this. You can probably look up the episode on their website. They only were testing the electricity usage, not the life of the bulb. If you are only concerned with electric usage, it's cheaper to turn it off every time it is not in use. But they inadvertently (without mentioning it very much) showed that CFLs don't last as long as they are advertised to last. An incand. bulb can last for decades!

[keydl]

one more thing to stockpile - they will quit selling 100w incandescent lights in '12

[tomato204]

The worst thing for me about the CFL's is I can't use one for a bathroom light. Any use where it gets turned off and on a lot will burn them out quick.

[NotSoFast]

I use both, in the winter incandescent cut the days needing other heat to usually 10. In the summer the CFLs drop the load on the A/C and provide the same light. I have changed a couple of detail lights to LED.

The CFLs are at the flea market for $1-$2 and the incandescent are 4 for $1 at the dollar store - both last 2-3 years most times.
I'm the same way...CFLs in the summer, incandescent in the winter. But because incandescents will be outlawed in California in 2011 and federally in 2014, I'm stocking up on those.

[Bones]

Where the CF's really shine in my house is in the ceiling fans. The vibrations used to kill an incandescent bulb a week! I've had the same CFL's in some of the fans for over a year now and they are still working.

Where I've found them to be no good at all is in outside fixtures during the winter...they don't seem to like the cold weather at all.

CFL's don't work in my ceiling fans. My fans have a remote control to them and after about 15 min the CFL's will start flashing on and off. Most CFLs are made in China so I do not think they will last as long as they say. I do use them my other light fixtures.

[offgridbob]

Remember when some of the first cfls came out, 25 or 30 years ago plus or minus a few years ? I bought a round one to put in my entry so a cabnet door would clear. It's still works fine today (spooky ) I was also told years ago to not touch to bulb when installing because it shortens the life of the bulb