CFL lightbulbs?

Question

Do you use them? What are the pluses and minuses compared to "regular" lightbulbs (for example, Philips 60 watt medium base bulbs, etc.)? Are they more expensive than "regular" lightbulbs and do they last as long?

Answer 1

They are great, I have changed most of them in my house.

The only minor drawback is most of them have a bluer, whiter light (like fluorescents) and some people like the warmer yellow light of an old-fashioned bulb. They are usually about 2x the cost of regular bulbs, but here in California I often see them on special with a discount from Edison and stock up on them then.

The good news is you can also replace them gradually. Nobody said you have to spend $100 on lightbulbs in one shopping trip. Just buy some every time you go shopping and they'll be replaced before you know it. They do save energy, use less than 25% watts, save money, give off bright light, and are easy to use. They also last just as long or longer. On each package it gives the hours and you can compare packages side-by-side.

The only true minus is they don't work well with dimmer switches. They flicker on low settings. But that's about it!

Answer 2

They are better in every way. They use less energy. They reduce mercury pollution (because regular light bulbs put mercury into the air from burning fossil fuels, more mercury than the tiny amount in a CFL.)

If you don't like the bluer light, get a "warm white" CFL, which has light that almost exactly matches an old fashioned incandescent bulb.

They last longer. You shouldn't turn them on and off a whole lot, but you shouldn't leave them on all day. If you're not going to be using the light for more than 15 minutes, turn them off.

Answer 3

I use them. I like the fact that they run WAY cooler (you can touch one without burning your hand) and that they use less electricity. They do cost a little more, but you will save that cost in lower electric bills, so they are still a good deal. They are supposed to last longer too, but they don't for me. I think it is because I turn them on and off too much. CFLs (and all fluorescent lights, including the regular 4 foot tubes) get damaged a little every time you turn them on. It has to do with the way they start up. You may have noticed how they take a second or two to come on after you flip the switch. If you just turned them on once a day and left them on until you went to bed, they would last much longer.

Answer 4

I have replaced most of the lightbulbs in my apartment with CFLs.

They are more expensive to buy (a buck or two a piece, rather than 50 cents), but last many times longer and use less electricity, so they are much cheaper in the long run.

Answer 5

As soon as enough of them are sold the new LEDs will come on line. The LED is the light of the future not CFLs. LEDs are 20 times more efficient than current stuff.