Fluorescent bulbs v. incandescent

**ewokgirl** · 08-02-2006, 03:49 PM

A few years ago, we decided to try replacing a few incandescent light bulbs with fluorescents. I HATED the light they produced. It was very weird, and I didn't like it for reading. So, all my major lamps still have incandescent bulbs, but a few that aren't of great importance to me have fluorescents.

A month or so ago, I was in Sam's and saw a big package of fluorescent bulbs. The package said something about natural light or something along those lines to make the light it gives sound better. So, here's my question: Have fluorescent bulbs changed in the past few years? Have they made them so that they emit a more normal light (as in, more like that of an incandescent bulb)? I'd like to switch to fluorescent bulbs to save a little energy, but I just can't do it if the light is too weird.

**QuilterMom** · 08-02-2006, 04:27 PM

There are different wattages of compact fluorescents. Could that be the problem? Maybe you're using too low of wattage? I would think they would differ also based on brand and possibly shape/style of the bulb. We use GE ones that we purchased at Sam's and love them. I can't recall the wattage right off hand though.

**baxjul** · 08-02-2006, 06:26 PM

I use the equivalant of 60 watts, in flourescent light bulbs.

**ewokgirl** · 08-02-2006, 06:59 PM

The 3 bulbs we have are in difficult to reach lights (hence, the reason for fluorescents in them), so I can't see the wattage without great difficulty. I don't think I would have been silly enough to buy a low wattage, though. I'm big on having good light! Maybe I should just suck it up and spend the money on some more to try them out...

**Amanda W** · 08-02-2006, 08:07 PM

We've switched almost the whole house over to flourescents over the past few months, and haven't really noted a difference. We also use the equivalent of 60 watt bulbs.

**Katybird** · 08-02-2006, 08:38 PM

We have changed a large portion of our lighting over to the flourescent bulbs and I haven't noticed much difference in the lighting. It is a bit more white than a regular incandescent bulb but not enough to be noticable. In the lamps that I have used them in I have cream or ivory colored shades so that casts a more natural color of light. I could see a slight drop in electric rates when we changed over, it was not earth shattering but every little bit helps.

**kabin63** · 08-02-2006, 09:25 PM

[quote=ewokgirl]A few years ago, we decided to try replacing a few incandescent light bulbs with fluorescents. I HATED the light they produced. It was very weird, and I didn't like it for reading.

There is a syndrome, and I can't think of what it is called right now, associated with fluorescent lighting. Some people are more suceptible to fluorescent lighting that others. A person can experience mild symptoms to severe, make you sick to your stomach symptoms, but the point is everyone reacts differently. I don't react real well to large doses of fluorescent light, such as in the mall or in a school enviorment, but am ok at home. It can impact reading by making the lines or letters move on the page and in order to see clearly you may have to have something like a colored filter of some kind. Some kids or adults end up with colored lenses in glasses. Not all people need this, but it may just be that you are one of those people that doesn't react well to a lot of fluorescent lighting. Try replacing incandescents bulbs one at a time until yu find that you are getting uncomfortable . I guess that is what my advice would be. Like I said, I can't recall what the syndrome is called.

**SHOPGIRL** · 08-02-2006, 09:29 PM

Fluorescent bulbs don't give off as good of light as full-spectrum light bulbs in your basic incandescent light bulbs. I put them in hallways, also in the office my dh uses. He tends to leave lights on. I have them in the overhead lights in the kitchen. Where I sit and read, I use the full-spectrum light bulbs, their pricey, but totally worth it. A good place to use them is also in the basement. As other light bulbs burn out, I just experiment with the fluorescent ones. Your right though, the light isn't the same.

**peanut** · 08-02-2006, 10:35 PM

Kathy, I'm glad you mentioned that! I never heard that before and I have resisted compact flourescents in the house because the light flickers and bothers me. Also it's not as bright as the manufacturers say it is. When they say "Gives the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb", they're full of it if you ask me. I can do stitchwork under a 60 watt bulb. I can't under an 'equivalent' compact flourescent. They also give me headaches. Now I know why!

Jean

**kabin63** · 08-02-2006, 10:48 PM

I understand Jean, just can't remember what it is called. The assistant principle at my DD's school is the one who told me about and tested me for it. Turns out fluorescent bulbs and I don't get along very well, lines start moving and stuff. Really makes me feel weird in a room full of them
when I need to concentrate on anythng. He brought it up because it can impact kids and reading in school.

**Goodwin17** · 08-02-2006, 11:07 PM

Some people with migraines cannot use flourescent because it triggers headaches. A good friend of mine told her job that she needed to sit near a window so she could get natural light because she gets migraines so often. I have a couple of flourescent lights in my house. One is in a lamp with a beige shade, and I don't think it's quiet bright enough. I also have one over my kitchen sink that I think is ok. I would be cautious if you have migraines though.

**Daisygirl** · 08-03-2006, 08:54 AM

I have switched my whole house over to fluorescent with the exception of one light in my bedroom where the flourescent bulb will not fit. It has not bothered us at all.

I like the fact that they are more energy efficient and that they last for five years. I actually saved my receipts and warranties in case they don't last for that length of time.

**ewokgirl** · 08-03-2006, 12:39 PM

Hmmmm... y'all have given me some interesting food for thought. I am a migraine sufferer, so maybe that's part of my problem with fluorescents. The wrong sort of light (such as too-bright sun) can trigger a migraine. I have the long tube fluorescents in my kitchen and laundry room, but those have never bothered me. Of course, the kitchen also gets tons of natural light, too.

I may bite the bullet and buy one new compact fluorescent to give it a try again, but we'll see. I agree with whoever said the fluorescents aren't as bright as incandescents of the same wattage. I have compact fluorescents in the hallway and over the toilet in the master bath, and they're just not as bright. I'm holding to the hope that maybe they've improved in the past few years....

**banana** · 08-03-2006, 04:09 PM

we switched over several months ago and dont notice much of a difference with the light. Our bill however noticed the difference and went down.

**Telephus44** · 08-03-2006, 09:28 PM

We switched over just about every bulb in our apartment, and haven't noticed a difference. In some areas (like the living rooms) we did use the "100 watt equivalent" although in most areas we used the "60 watt equivalent." We got all of our bulbs for the same price so we bought some of each. Around here the electric company periodically subsudized CFC bulb purchases, so you can get them at Home Depot or Lowes for $1.00 each.