do compact flouresent light bulbs that are made for the home really save electricity?

Question

they claim they use 3 watts of electricty or 25 watts and so on but is there something hidden ab out the light bulb that doesnt really save electricty compaared to a standard light bulb that would use 60 watts of electricity

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Answer 1

Yes, they do. A standard bulb converts most of its energy to heat; that's why you can't just reach up and unscrew one after it's been on a while. A fluorescent bulb works differently, by exciting the atoms of the coating inside the tubes to glow with MUCH less electricity, and comparatively little heat. The fluorescents I use require 13 watts of power (that wouldn't even light up a string of those little tiny Christmas tree bulbs), as opposed to the 60 watts of the conventional bulbs I used to use, and if anything, it's BRIGHTER light than what I had before. There's still some loss to heat, but not very much at all. 13 / 60 = 21% of the former electricity usage.

Nothing hidden - just a bulb that works in a different way to produce light.

Answer 2

now that they are cheap, you save about $1 a month per bulb,
for a bulb on about 5 hours a day.
10 bulbs, 10$ a month, $120 a year,
but they have mercury in them...
MIKE

Answer 3

It takes less energy to pass through and illuminate the gas trapped in the flourescent tubes than to pass through and illuminate the fillament in a vacuum as you'd find in a regular bulb.

Answer 4

Yes. In many cases they can save as much as 70% electricity. In the worst cases, they save as little as 50% electricity. Either way you still come out way ahead.

The typical savings is about 66%.

Answer 5

Yes, and there are ones with titanium coatings that are supposed to kill bacteria, viruses, molds in the air that comes in contact with them.

Answer 6

They do not save electricity. They save you money that you would spend on electricity by using less for the same effect. In turn, less electricity has to be generated for their use, saving on reserves of coal or other fuels used in generating electricity. They do have some drawbacks. If you break them, the contents are hazardous waste.