Low Watt/Energy Saving Bulbs

**wendy** · 03-24-2006, 08:56 PM

You've probably seen the low watt energy saving light bulbs, but for those of you new to this, let me tell you about it:

You can buy one of these energy saving 60watt light bulbs and it only uses 20watts of electricity. So it puts out 60 watts of light at a fraction of the cost. The only thing is, they are a little expensive.

The first three I bought were $5.00 each, but they had a five year warranty. I have a tree lamp in my living room and replaced three 60watt bulbs with three 20 watt bulbs. We use that lamp most, so I thought it might be a cost effective investment.

Recently I found a generic brand of low wattage energy saving bulbs at an "Everything is a Dollar" store and bought four of them. My vanity in my bathroom has four light bulb sockets over the mirror so I exchanged the four 60 watt bulbs (that used 240 watts total every time someone goes to the bathroom, since there is no window in there) with the four 15 watt energy saving bulbs (at a total of 60 watts).

Last month, my electric bill was 63.00. This month, it's $30.00.

Look for these bulbs at your dollar stores and even if you can't find the cheap ones, changing out one bulb a month with the more expensive energy saving kind will make a difference in your utility bill and will save you money.

**SHOPGIRL** · 03-24-2006, 09:07 PM

You can purchase these at Lowe's for $8, includes a 4 pack of 60 watt bulbs.

**baxjul** · 03-24-2006, 09:08 PM

I'm looking at getting some of these!

**wendy** · 03-24-2006, 09:09 PM

Cool. I bought mine at Ace and paid more for them than if I would have shopped around.

I hate Wal-mart, but darnit! They are cheaper on those bulbs too!

**canadian gardener** · 03-24-2006, 09:19 PM

these paid for themselves in my place in a little under a year, now it's gravy, pure savings gravy!

And way to go, replacing the most used lights first, you see the biggest savings there.

**peanut** · 04-05-2006, 06:02 PM

Watch out! Superstore was selling mini-compact flourescent bulbs that were supposed to give the equivalent of a 60 watt light bulb of light. They didn't. I took my regular 60 watt bulbs out and put in the CFs and the light in the room was noticably dimmer. So much so I couldn't write at the desk on the other side of the room. So watch out for CFs that really don't give the same amount of light! I put my regular 60 watt bulbs back in.

Jean
ticked off in Canada

**SHOPGIRL** · 04-05-2006, 06:10 PM

Right, the package does say that it doesn't give off as much light. Plus, the ones I use take a couple minutes to warm up to get to their brightest light.

**miss_thrifty** · 04-05-2006, 06:46 PM

ok im going to the dollarama when the family allowance comes in, they have them ther too, ill red the package first. thanks

**wendy** · 04-05-2006, 08:46 PM

Cool. Thanks for the advice.

**QuilterMom** · 04-05-2006, 10:18 PM

Sam's Club has 8-packs for a great price. I love our compact fluorecents!

**frugalfarmwife** · 04-05-2006, 10:47 PM

Do the new flourecents have a better color? I bought some about 2 years ago and tried them and hubby HATED the color, sigh, go figure, hubby being the fashion critic on things.

kj

**banana** · 04-06-2006, 08:41 AM

I'm not sure about "better color". I tired them a few years ago and hated them, I thought they werent bright enough and took a few minutes to get to their brightest, even at their brightest they werent bright enough, KWIM? But I switched last month and must say I am not having that problem any longer!

I am anxiously awaiting my electric bill any day now to see what a difference they made!!

**halloweenfreak** · 04-06-2006, 10:42 AM

i replaced all mine about a month ago with these. they do take a minute or so to get their brightest- and at first they did have a funky color, but i dont notice it as much now. guess we got use to it. my main reason for buying them was it says that they'll last for 5 years. the generic regular bulbs i was using was being changed out every month. and as short as i am, i hate changing bulbs!

**AmyMCGS** · 04-06-2006, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by halloweenfreak

my main reason for buying them was it says that they'll last for 5 years. the generic regular bulbs i was using was being changed out every month.

I switched my outside lights to the compact flourescent bulbs for the same reason-- the ones I bought claim to last for EIGHT years! We'll see about that part, but, so far they seem fine. I'll have to check the energy bill next month and see if there's any difference.