Fluorescent bulbs???

**mombottoo** · 03-06-2008, 03:06 PM

I read an article in our local newspaper that said if you replace 5 most used regular bulbs with fluorescent bulbs you would save up to $275 per year off of your electric costs.

I don't understand how that can be

. Our annual electric costs right about $1,480. I have 25 spots that could use those bulbs, so in theory that would mean an annual savings of $1,375...

Hubby says they must be counting the cost of having to buy regular bulbs more often since the fluorescent bulbs last so much longer. What do you all think? Was the article misleading or what?

**M55FF** · 03-06-2008, 03:19 PM

they may be more energy effient in the long run because they last longer... just don't break them, some have mercury in them and that stuff can make you sick or kill you. Maybe not the floresent ones but some types of the new kind ( have mercury in them)

The good news is they are phasing out regular, old type bulbs and they are selling on clearance for dirt cheap.

yes I think they say they are more efficent because they last longer.

**ConnieD** · 03-06-2008, 05:22 PM

Well they don't last as long as they claim. We were gradually changing all of our light bulbs over for the last couple years. Then we were having some burn out..........
WHAT???? They are supposed to last a few years.... and here they were burning out in less than a year and they cost SO much more.

We stopped buying them and went back to the old ones. Will start buying them again when we are forced to, I guess.....

**M55FF** · 03-06-2008, 05:36 PM

They are going to stop making the old ones !
I tried to buy a light fixture for a celing fan and they don't even make them for regular light bulbs anymore !

The old style light bulb is being phased out !
stock up if you like them !!!!!!!!!!

**PB&J** · 03-06-2008, 05:59 PM

We use them. We bought our house exactly 2 years ago today. I put in all flourescent bulbs and have yet to have one burn out. Some of them I have had for much longer than 2 years (ones in lamps) because I bought them when we lived in our old house.

**shoiji** · 03-06-2008, 06:15 PM

You may want to either stock up on the fluorescent bulbs when on sale, or atleast put the bulbs in at different times. I have been using them since they came out. They lasted a long time. Only thing is they all basically went out at the same time period.

I like them but will be looking for the non mercury ones that someone else mentioned. Don't think they are good for me or environment. Just can't help thinking about landfills full of them.

**shoiji** · 03-06-2008, 06:31 PM

Would you believe the fluorescent bulb next to the computer just went out. LOL I think this was an old bulb.

**quiltergirl2** · 03-06-2008, 06:42 PM

Not everyone has a choice. Fluorescent lights make some people ill -- I am one of them. I have a hard enough time dealing with them out in "the world". I will not have them in my home. I don't care how much money they save.

**Neeley** · 03-06-2008, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by quiltergirl2

Not everyone has a choice. Fluorescent lights make some people ill -- I am one of them. I have a hard enough time dealing with them out in "the world". I will not have them in my home. I don't care how much money they save.

Same here. They give me horrible headaches.

**Bethany** · 03-06-2008, 11:16 PM

I haven't seen that big of a difference in our bill, maybe 20 dollars a month, but that's also with me shutting off all lights anyway and doing less drying in the electric clothes dryer, so it's hard to say how good they are. We get them fror free through work, so the cost is not an issue, but I wonder where the catch up rate is if you buy them for more than regular bulbs and then start saving on your bill.

**qtkitty** · 03-07-2008, 01:59 AM

quiltergirl2~ Totally hear you... Joe is a Tonic Clonic (Aka Grand Mal ) Epileptic .. i have to be very careful about those lights since they have a fast paced flicker they can cause sezures, migranes, eye strain and other issues.

Sometimes fluorescent lights bother him more then others... so i need to really put them in stratigic places so i can use either a regular bulb or flourescents for those days when he can deal with the lights.

**quiltergirl2** · 03-07-2008, 11:55 AM

It's very difficult for me to go to the grocery store -- they seem to be the worst.

But I will not bring flourescent bulbs into the house. This is the one place I know I can get away from all that.

Two weeks ago when I bought incandescent bulbs I actually had a better selection and more brands to choose from. They were not being closed out at all. I think there are enough of us that the "old fashioned" light bulbs will not totally disappear -- they might get expensive, but I doubt they will be gone forever.

**mombottoo** · 03-07-2008, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by qtkitty

quiltergirl2~ Totally hear you... Joe is a Tonic Clonic (Aka Grand Mal ) Epileptic .. i have to be very careful about those lights since they have a fast paced flicker they can cause sezures, migranes, eye strain and other issues.

Sometimes fluorescent lights bother him more then others... so i need to really put them in stratigic places so i can use either a regular bulb or flourescents for those days when he can deal with the lights.

My husband grew up epileptic (hasn't had a seizure since he was 17) and our son who lives with us has grand mal seizures due to a TBI. The bulbs donot flicker like the tubes, at least my bulbs don't. If your bulbs are flickering maybe there could be a surge problem with your electricity???

**shoiji** · 03-09-2008, 07:49 PM

Since I had to replace the bulb next to the computer, I purchased enough to go in the bathroom outlets over the sink. Found them at Family Dollar for 2 for $5. They have mercury in them. Does anyone know about LED's? Are they any safer?

**bratz54** · 03-10-2008, 04:57 AM

I went to discount tire last month, and i had to wait like2 hours, but any ways after sitting there 30 minutes, i began to feel so sick to my stomach and getting really dizzy. i told my husband that i had to get out of there before i got to bad. luckly enought after walking to the other stores in the out let mall i felt better. next time my husband gets tires for his truck i defently wont be going with him.