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Yes, CFL bulbs. I've replace all my incandescent bulbs with CFLs, then promptly replaced those cfl bulbs with yet more cfl bulbs. Has anybody else noticed that we are replacing our cfl bulbs much more frequently than we ever ever did with the incandescent ones? I have. And yesterday I decided to start a collection of burnt bulbs. So far, yesterday alone, I have two. Anyone else jump on that band wagon of trying to knock our electric bills down by replacing incandescent bulbs only to find we are spending more and more on our replacement CFLs?
Not all CFL bulbs are the same or operate the same in each household.
There are many factors that can reduce the life of CFL's (ie heat/cycling/etc).
I am happy with mine even though the color was not close to daylight and its more expensive to dim (over incandescents and LED's), but the technology has gotten better....
I have my entire 2 BR condo done in CFL and LED lighting. Switching more and more over to LED's or any other cool trendy lighting. Not doing it to save money...but more for upgrading to modern technology.
My last months electric bill was $15.
I've had the current batch of CFL's and LED's installed for over a year with no issues.
It was probably a mistake to switch all your light bulbs. Basically the ones you use for long periods of time should be switched, while those which are a quick turn on then turn off--and used in total for only a few hours a year should not be switched.
It was probably a mistake to switch all your light bulbs. Basically the ones you use for long periods of time should be switched, while those which are a quick turn on then turn off--and used in total for only a few hours a year should not be switched.
Good point.
My dining room we still have the warm white incandescents (on a dimmer) because we don't use them nearly as much (8 - 40w candlelabra bulbs) as the other rooms in the house (where the payback can justify it)
I've had good luck with the 40w CFLs , and only because they are left on over 12 hours a day. The ones in the bathroom are 26w, and it seems once a month, one of them is burning out. I have 4 CFLs in the kitchen, and its the same thing. I read a review of the cfl bulbs and the review said that to keep them from prematurely burning them out, its important to keep them on for at least 2 hours. And then you can safely turn them off. Now, if I have to remember to do that each and every time, that's freakin BS!
It was probably a mistake to switch all your light bulbs. Basically the ones you use for long periods of time should be switched, while those which are a quick turn on then turn off--and used in total for only a few hours a year should not be switched.
I suspect your right about that. The problem is though, that anything over 75w incandescent wise has been discontinued. I like my kitchen BRIGHT. And my bathroom, and my bedroom. Lol
I have gone back and gotten rid of all CFLs. If nothing else, the light is hideous and I don't want a mercury spill in my home. I have regular old bulbs and some halogens. I will try replacing some of these with LEDs moving forward. Halogens and incandescent produce some heat that is actually desired at certain times of the year here but definitely not in the summer.
You should be able to find brighter halogens, but 75 watt and above is very bright. Have you tried any LEDs? Some of them claim to be "100" or "120 watt" equivalent.
I have my entire 2 BR condo done in CFL and LED lighting. Switching more and more over to LED's or any other cool trendy lighting. Not doing it to save money...but more for upgrading to modern technology.
My last months electric bill was $15.
I've had the current batch of CFL's and LED's installed for over a year with no issues.
What was your electric bill before you replaced the lights?
I have gone back and gotten rid of all CFLs. If nothing else, the light is hideous and I don't want a mercury spill in my home. I have regular old bulbs and some halogens. I will try replacing some of these with LEDs moving forward. Halogens and incandescent produce some heat that is actually desired at certain times of the year here but definitely not in the summer.
You should be able to find brighter halogens, but 75 watt and above is very bright. Have you tried any LEDs? Some of them claim to be "100" or "120 watt" equivalent.
I have looked into led, but non that are able to replace my CFLs. Do most leds require a special bulb socket?
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