CFL Light Bulbs

Slickcraft · 09-05-2011, 08:35 PM

Over the past two years we have changed over all our bulbs to CFL at home and here at camp. Today's CFL bulbs are a big improvement over a few years ago and use 1/4 the energy of incandescent for the same light output.

Of course if you want 90% of the electricity to generate heat, say to keep the chicken coop warm in the winter or to operate one of those old kids toy ovens, than incandescent is the way to go.

SteveA · 09-05-2011, 09:15 PM

The lights are fine, and my electric bill is down. Like Dan, I haven't figured out the "pay back" for the more expensive bulbs, but if they last the way they advertise, it's a better deal all around.

I even went with the "dimable" ones for our pocket lights and in the kitchen. And the ice cream doesn't melt under the higher heat incandescent bulbs. Took a little getting use to, but they produce a very pleasant light with almost no heat output.

I'm sold... and like I said, the electric bill is down.

Sorry, couldn't resist the "Go Green" font color!

Belkin · 09-05-2011, 10:57 PM

CFLs do have their drawbacks. Their long life is affected by the number of on-off cycles. I have only one light that stays on for any length of time. The rest of the lights go on and off as I enter and leave rooms; which is frequent. I find that under those conditions the life of CFLs are reduced considerably.

I think, for the long term, LEDs will be the solution. While they are still an expensive alternative, they do have a much longer life (upwards of 100,000 hours), turn on instantly and are even more efficient than CFLs. The fact that they have made their way into our TVs indicates that the price is coming down and that there is good color control.

chipj29 · 09-06-2011, 06:58 AM

One thing I would not suggest, is outdoor CFL floodlights. In the winter they take forever to warm up and give of a respectable amount of light. Honestly I wish I had not made the switch to the CFL floodlights. They were expensive, and now I am stuck with them because I don't want to throw them out.

09-05-2011, 09:15 PM	#2
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	We switched over almost a year ago. The lights are fine, and my electric bill is down. Like Dan, I haven't figured out the "pay back" for the more expensive bulbs, but if they last the way they advertise, it's a better deal all around. I even went with the "dimable" ones for our pocket lights and in the kitchen. And the ice cream doesn't melt under the higher heat incandescent bulbs. Took a little getting use to, but they produce a very pleasant light with almost no heat output. I'm sold... and like I said, the electric bill is down. Sorry, couldn't resist the "Go Green" font color! __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

09-05-2011, 10:57 PM	#3
Belkin Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	CFL Alternative CFLs do have their drawbacks. Their long life is affected by the number of on-off cycles. I have only one light that stays on for any length of time. The rest of the lights go on and off as I enter and leave rooms; which is frequent. I find that under those conditions the life of CFLs are reduced considerably. I think, for the long term, LEDs will be the solution. While they are still an expensive alternative, they do have a much longer life (upwards of 100,000 hours), turn on instantly and are even more efficient than CFLs. The fact that they have made their way into our TVs indicates that the price is coming down and that there is good color control.

09-06-2011, 06:58 AM	#4
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	One thing I would not suggest, is outdoor CFL floodlights. In the winter they take forever to warm up and give of a respectable amount of light. Honestly I wish I had not made the switch to the CFL floodlights. They were expensive, and now I am stuck with them because I don't want to throw them out. __________________ Getting ready for winter!

09-05-2011, 08:35 PM	#1
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,317 Thanks: 1,232 Thanked 2,103 Times in 960 Posts	Over the past two years we have changed over all our bulbs to CFL at home and here at camp. Today's CFL bulbs are a big improvement over a few years ago and use 1/4 the energy of incandescent for the same light output. Of course if you want 90% of the electricity to generate heat, say to keep the chicken coop warm in the winter or to operate one of those old kids toy ovens, than incandescent is the way to go.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Belkin For This Useful Post:
DRH (09-09-2011), SteveA (09-06-2011)