Question about the curly flourescent light bulb

**sanderson76** · 10-17-2005, 03:43 PM

DH has been wanting to switch to these. How does it affect your lighting and how much of a cut in your power bill did you notice?

**homesteadmamma** · 10-17-2005, 04:07 PM

I can't say how much it saves. Two 23 watt bulbs over 5 years is SUPPOSE to save $157.00. Two 13 watt bulbs are suppose to save $37.00 over their lifetime.

I'm not even sure how long they will last. However, the ones I purchased are guaranteed for 6 years and 5 years and if they burn out before that, Sylvania will replace them if you have the original receipt.

They aren't as bright as regular light bulbs. You do get use to them very quickly though.

For me it isn't only the savings. It's helping save energy and the enviroment although once they are burnt out they will still have to go to the dump.

Even if they only last 3 years (as some have mentioned), it is still a savings. Lightbulbs are forever being replaced in our home.

**canadian gardener** · 10-17-2005, 04:18 PM

quite a difference. I forget now the exact math, I think I reported it in the village at the time I switched most of our bulbs over but it was pretty good. I remember working it out that they'd paid for themselves in less than a year, but we did get a rebate I think.

Get the maximum savings from the bulbs by switching only the most used and highest wattage bulbs first as the bulbs are expensive. You will reap the greatest savings from those lights.

Be aware that not all are guaranteed. Ours aren't although they imply that they will last. I found that out when they started dying and I went to read the fine print before returning them.

The ones sold to me by Costco 3 years ago are not guaranteed although a fellow at dh's work bought some there a year before that, and his were. He was able to get them replaced.

Out of the 39 I put in, about 6 have died early and been replaced. I did put them in the bathroom (not recommended for damp places) but only two of the dead bulbs came from the bathroom-- but one of those two got hit during the reno, so it broke, not died, the rest died on their own, in naked fixtures where theoretically they should last. None are outdoors.

**QuilterMom** · 10-17-2005, 05:41 PM

I don't know how much of a savings we will see since we just switched to them. We are using them in our recessed lights in the family room, kitchen, and hallway. Before we switched we had floodlights in them (which is what most everyone here uses in them).

We are using the 13 watt ones which are the equivalent of a standard 60 watt bulb. They are GE brand, purchased at Sam's, and the packaging says they are guaranteed for 5 years/8000 hours. The lights are not as bright as the floodlights we had, but I adjusted to them quickly - the change didn't bother dh at all.

**sanderson76** · 10-18-2005, 09:39 AM

Thank you. I might pick up a few this weekend and put them in the lights we use the most.

**schellie69** · 10-18-2005, 10:50 AM

I went started using them about a month ago on the main floor and I think they are brighter then the 60 watt bulbs I had, I read what was writen some where and it says that you can run 4 of the floresent light bulbs for the same price as one regualar light bulb I had 4 60 watt bulbs in the living room and den and need only 2 floresent bulbs (same wattages according to the package) I am planning on replacing all the bulbs just have to do a little at time since they are so much more expensive then the others. I have florsent bulbs in my lamps also the only they I do notice is it takes them a while to get fully bright. I am waiting for my next electrical bill to come out and see if there is any change on it. I hope they last as long as they say they do, One other thing I read it the more you turn them on and off the harder it is for them so if you are going to be going back and forth in a room it is better to leave them on. I have them in my bathroom that light stays on all the time for the kids at night.