CFL light bulbs...switching over

**mombottoo** · 03-29-2008, 02:58 PM

Well today I bought 20 CFL bulbs to replace our incandescent light bulbs. I got 12-13w which are equal to 60w incandescent bulbs and 8-18w which are equal to 75w incandescent bulbs.

Accordingly, one of the CFL bulbs will last as long as 10 incandescent bulbs replaced back to back. So I shouldn't have to replace them for quite a while. It cost me an avg. of $2.12 per CFL bulb and for 10 incandescent bulbs it would cost me $2.65...since I always buy light bulbs on sale. So not only am I saving on buying bulbs, it should help the light bill go down.

The only bulbs I haven't switched over are our dimmer and our three way lamps...but, they are next!

**rudypoo98** · 03-29-2008, 03:05 PM

I've heard your not supposed to touch these bulbs with your bare hands.They say it makes them burn out sooner.I think it's true because my daughter had one in her bathroom they would unscrew it to turn off since had elec heater hooked to same thing.It didn't last even a month.I now use a towel to put mine in.

**mombottoo** · 03-29-2008, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by rudypoo98

I've heard your not supposed to touch these bulbs with your bare hands.They say it makes them burn out sooner.I think it's true because my daughter had one in her bathroom they would unscrew it to turn off since had elec heater hooked to same thing.It didn't last even a month.I now use a towel to put mine in.

We had 4 of these bulbs in place already and have never had any trouble with them and I use my hands. The two bulbs in my son's room are over 5 years old.

**sixfreds** · 03-29-2008, 06:31 PM

I did try these and they seem to last as long as a regular bulb which isn't long at all.
Eileen

**Telephus44** · 03-29-2008, 08:11 PM

We switched over to all CFL's about 4 years ago, and have only had one burn out (and it was a show - it cracked loudly!). I hadn't heard anything about using or not using your hands.

Around here, the electric company occasionally has offers at Home Depot with an "instant rebate" that makes them $1 each, so we've got enough for the next 20 years I think!

**PplAmanda** · 03-30-2008, 11:48 PM

I have switched most everything over to these. I like that they use less electricity and last much longer. I have been using them for over a year now and haven't needed to replace one yet. Being on the short side, I hated dragging ladders (or DH from the couch) everything a bulb needed to be changed.

I have noticed that different brands have varying degrees of light quality, so you may want to check another brand if you have been dissatisfied with CFLs before.

**lisettelovebug** · 03-31-2008, 02:40 PM

we switched over the whole house also. The only thing I dislike about them is you can't throw them in the garbage because of the mercury. They have to be recycled. And I think I read somewhere there was only 3 or so places in the US that recycle them. i really like the idea that they last longer and take less energy, but unless they do something about disposing of them, we're going to have some big problems.

**mombottoo** · 03-31-2008, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by lisettelovebug

....The only thing I dislike about them is you can't throw them in the garbage because of the mercury. They have to be recycled. And I think I read somewhere there was only 3 or so places in the US that recycle them. i really like the idea that they last longer and take less energy, but unless they do something about disposing of them, we're going to have some big problems.

I have a plastic container that cocoa mix came in and that is where I put any of them that have died. I figure once it's full I'll figure out where to take them.

**Frugal Cook** · 03-31-2008, 04:05 PM

I've converted my entire home to CFL's now and haven't paid a penny for any of them, either from instant rebates for the entire amount or just given to me by the electric company (I asked, they gave). Some have been in for several years and definitely are lasting longer than the regular bulb.

Only problem so far is the warning if you break one and the limitations on disposal since they aren't "green" in that respect. Perhaps by the time these bulbs wear out they will have the answer(s).

**yankeegal** · 04-01-2008, 07:20 AM

I have tried them and don't like them...they do not throw enough light for my personal taste...Here is a link on how to dispose of them in Maine...

http://www.ercweb.com/resources/viewtip.aspx?id=7168

They are expensive to get rid of at our community dump.

**Holly** · 04-01-2008, 07:50 AM

We have our house converted over for about 6 months.
Last weekend we did the cow barn

**Sonnenwende** · 04-08-2008, 12:12 PM

We are switching our apartment over to these. The only thing that annoys me is the obnoxious number of globe bulbs in the bathrooms (I think 11 altogether). Those suckers are expensive and we haven't gotten to them yet. Everything else has been switched out though.

**debbiebueeyes** · 04-10-2008, 02:24 PM

We switched our living room over to CFL and are in the process of switching the rest of the houe. We can only afford a few at a time since i have not seen any coupons or rebates on them around here.

**quiltergirl2** · 04-10-2008, 02:41 PM

We will not be switching our bulbs.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 04-10-2008, 10:03 PM

Our hallway, closet, and kitchen (there are 6 bulbs) are all CFC. I still want to switch the bathroom over. We bought several 6 packs of the bulbs. One bulb in one of the packs didn't work at all. We've had 2 bulbs die in the last 2 years...of all 8 that are in.

I don't know if that's good or not?