CFL Light Bulbs

[nightrider]

how do they work in the workshed when it's zero degree's?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by nightrider

how do they work in the workshed when it's zero degree's?

Slightly dim at first then 30 seconds later fully bright.

[NoBozo]

SO: Let me try to understand this..With these new nifty CFL lightbulbs..you use LESS Power..Right...?? This is Good. So because you are using LESS Power with these new light bulbs in the lights you already have...you are actually able to TURN ON MORE light bulbs..NO..?? This is Good. More is better.

SO: You are using MORE light bulbs than before.....BUT..you are actually using the SAME Power you used Before you had the new bulbs. SO where is the savings to the environment...?? Just wondering,. NB

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

SO: Let me try to understand this..With these new nifty CFL lightbulbs..you use LESS Power..Right...?? This is Good. So because you are using LESS Power with these new light bulbs in the lights you already have...you are able to TURN ON MORE light bulbs..NO..?? This is Good. More is better.

SO: You are using MORE light bulbs than before.....BUT..you are actually using the SAME Power you used Before you had the new bulbs. SO where is the savings to the environment...?? Just wondering,. NB

No, you should have read my original post more carefully... I said that when on generator power during the storm I was able to utilize more electronics because of the low power consumption of the bulbs. I was also able to keep my dock lights on to view my boats and ensure they were safe.

If you want savings here ya go... I have a 40,000 sq. ft. work facility where we changed all of the incandescent lighting last year to fluorescent. We have saved $200.00 per month on average on our electric bill thus far and PSNH paid for 50% of the change out cost!!

I'm not trying to make anybody a believer, just spreading what I thought was helpful information. Do with it what you wish...

Dan

[Slickcraft]

Over the past two years we have changed over all our bulbs to CFL at home and here at camp. Today's CFL bulbs are a big improvement over a few years ago and use 1/4 the energy of incandescent for the same light output.

Of course if you want 90% of the electricity to generate heat, say to keep the chicken coop warm in the winter or to operate one of those old kids toy ovens, than incandescent is the way to go.

[SteveA]

The lights are fine, and my electric bill is down. Like Dan, I haven't figured out the "pay back" for the more expensive bulbs, but if they last the way they advertise, it's a better deal all around.

I even went with the "dimable" ones for our pocket lights and in the kitchen. And the ice cream doesn't melt under the higher heat incandescent bulbs. Took a little getting use to, but they produce a very pleasant light with almost no heat output.

I'm sold... and like I said, the electric bill is down.

Sorry, couldn't resist the "Go Green" font color!

[Belkin]

CFLs do have their drawbacks. Their long life is affected by the number of on-off cycles. I have only one light that stays on for any length of time. The rest of the lights go on and off as I enter and leave rooms; which is frequent. I find that under those conditions the life of CFLs are reduced considerably.

I think, for the long term, LEDs will be the solution. While they are still an expensive alternative, they do have a much longer life (upwards of 100,000 hours), turn on instantly and are even more efficient than CFLs. The fact that they have made their way into our TVs indicates that the price is coming down and that there is good color control.

[chipj29]

One thing I would not suggest, is outdoor CFL floodlights. In the winter they take forever to warm up and give of a respectable amount of light. Honestly I wish I had not made the switch to the CFL floodlights. They were expensive, and now I am stuck with them because I don't want to throw them out.