Do you use compact florescent bulbs to save energy?

Question

Do you like them? What other tricks are there to cut back on energy usage?

Answer 1

Yes, we just started using them but whatever you do, DON'T drop and break them, as they are filled with deadly mercury. There are simple ways to cut down on energy usage--just have good insulation in your house; leave the thermostat lower in winter and higher in summer; don't leave lights on in a room you're not using; use ceiling fans and box fans to help keep cool in summer; use insulated windows.
But the time is fast approaching when we will all have access to FR*EE energy, and utility bills will be a thing of the past.

Answer 2

Started using CFL's five years ago and provided you use the correct lighting fixtures they not only save a lot of energy they produce ample useable light.
They also last a good long time, five years ago I replaced my homes 26 bulbs (1640 watts) with 26 CFL's (364 watts) and have yet to have one fail even when used out doors!
Am now converting slowly over to LCD's which are getting much better but CFL's are the best bang for the buck.

Answer 3

I dont think they save much energy, if any. Perhpas in a lab where they are always on they last as long as they should but in the real world where they are off and on a lot, I dont see them lasting much longer than conventional bulbs. They take a lot more resources and therefore energy themsleves to manufacture. When you turn them on it is some time before they are up to their full brightness which is a horrible annoyance unless you leave your lights on constantly and how much does THAT save you? They are nice to have as an option and I do use them some, but to force people to use thme like California is thinking of is not wise. Why do we not have LED arrays available for home lighting???

Answer 4

Yes, I do!! Every bulb in my house is a cfl. However, I just ordered some led bulbs. I'm going to switch to led because they save way more energy then cfl's and the light is brighter and more efficient.

Answer 5

I like the "warm white" variety, the "cool white" or "natural" light is a little harsh for me. I also use them to reduce mercury pollution.

Fossil fuels contain mercury. Using incandescent bulbs causes more mercury to be emitted from power plants. More than the tiny amount (0.005 grams or less) that is in a CFL.

It's better if you dispose of old CFLs properly so that even the tiny amount of mercury is not released. But, no matter how they're disposed of, CFLs reduce mercury pollution.

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/sustainable/Powerplay%20articles/16Powerplay.Mercury.CFL.html

Breaking one is not a disaster. The main thing is _don't_ vacuum the pieces up, sweep them up. More about dealing with a broken CFL here:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp

Regular fluorescents are more dangerous (although still not a huge deal). They contain 2-10 times as much mercury and are much easier to break. Those really should be disposed of properly.

Answer 6

Yes.

I do like them. In addition to saving energy and money, they don't get hot enough to burn your hand like incandescent bulbs do!

I set the air conditioning thermostat a little higher and use ceiling fans to keep cool.

Answer 7

I use compact fl bulbs everywhere except the refridgerator and oven

Answer 8

YES

CFL produce more light at lower wattage than conventional bulbs.

Answer 9

Yes, and love them. The only drawback is they don't work on dimmer switches. They buzz. Ride a motorcycle or scooter up to70mpg . Recycle, thake the train if you have one.

Answer 10

no