Questions about compact flouresent lightbulbs

[Farmer'sWife]

Not too long ago I heard that regular lightbulbs are being fazed out and won't be available after 2013.  We have CFLs in most of our lights in our home, but I've found that they don't work well in all situations.  For example, outside in our unheated sheds, they take forever to get bright.  I also have some flood style ones in my basement that do the same thing.  Are there other alternatives that will work better in these situations or maybe certain kinds of CFLs that get bright faster?

[Ola_]

I think LED bulbs are supposed to be good at this.  At this point they're pretty expensive so we haven't tried them yet, but I'm hoping they'll become more common soon.

[RooRooDog]

I know this isn't entirely "green" or whatever, but I still use regular light bulbs for the situations you've described.  CFLs just don't work in some places- I don't know if that can ever be changed because of the ballast.  The LED ones are WAY too expensive to put out on the back porch.  I've just been stocking up on incandescents whenever I go to the store :) to build up a stash!  Personally, I think it is a little ridiculous that they are outlawing them totally, but I'm probably in the minority here.  In Germany, where they have already been banned, one company is still selling them- but as "heat bulbs."

I just remembered halogen lights, but I think they use even more watts than incandescent.

[SleeplessMommy]

Consumer reports rated CFL bulbs about a year ago (nov 2009?) . Get one of the "good" brands. LED bulbs are getting better every year, so there may be something affordable and great in a year or two. 

[bass chick]

I've heard some pretty bad things about CFL's...dirty electricity and stuff like that. Yes, they use less power but they cause many health problems. I've bought some of the Ikea CFL's and I find they burn out or start to go dim way too quick and have been very disappointed. I have 1 LED light and plan on getting more. I just don't like that the light only comes out of the top part of the LED's. But as far as I'm concerned LED's are the way to go if you care about the environment and your health.

[taubel]

Many CFLs also contain mercury. Since we have 3 rowdy boys, we stopped using them. Too much risk of them getting broken. We were also concerned about the "dirty" electricity they can create.

[yeahwhat]

There are cfls that are practically instant on.  We have some in our kitchen and bathroom and I can really see the difference compared to the regular cfls.

[emmaegbert]

Originally Posted by yeahwhat 

There are cfls that are practically instant on.  We have some in our kitchen and bathroom and I can really see the difference compared to the regular cfls.

us too

I changed all the bulbs in my old apt to CFLs when my son was born (I didn't change them b/c of that, I just happen to remember when b/c it was a big change in my life) and when we moved in September, he was 5 and 10m, and I had not replaced one of them yet. So I have definitely not found them to be dim or not lasting long. My understanding about the mercury is that we need to remember that the vast, vast part of the mercury in the environment is coming from coal-burning for electricity generation so that CFLs might at least be mercury-neutral since they save that much mercury from going into the atmosphere... but I dunno if that is just wishful thinking. I do worry about disposal but literally never had to deal with it yet!

I'm excited for LEDs to become more affordable.

[Farmer'sWife]

Does anyone have names of brands that work best for them?  Most of the ones we have are GE from Sam's Club.  I have them in places like our kitchen and lamps with no problems, it's mostly those 'special' applications like outside that I'm haveing problems with.  Do the quick start ones do well in cold weather?  Do LEDs have any limitations besides price?

[homemademom]

A little OT, but I'm so tired of our CFL can lights. They burn out in a matter of months in our kitchen. So much for cost savings! We've tried brands from Lowe's, Home Depot and Costco.  I'm not sure what the problem is. We even had an electrician come and they said it's not the light fixture.

[Turquesa]

Glad I'm not the only one.  I'm profoundly concerned about global warming and fossil fuels.  I carry reusable bags to the grocery store, carry re-usable mugs to the coffee bar, conserve water and energy, and minimize time in my car.  But I remain a CFL skeptic, sorry to say, which is apparently politically incorrect and probably lumps me in with the tinfoil hat people.

We have dimmers for some of our fixtures to save energy, and CFLs also don't work for those either, btw (according to an electrician I spoke to).I guess I would use CFLs for some of the ceiling fixtures that the kids definitely couldn't reach, although my little darlings have been known to play "indoor sports" while they think Mom isn't looking....

Originally Posted by taubel 

Many CFLs also contain mercury. Since we have 3 rowdy boys, we stopped using them. Too much risk of them getting broken. We were also concerned about the "dirty" electricity they can create.

[jeanine123]

I tried CFL's and they burnt out faster than the regular light bulbs did.  That and the mercury, not being able to easily dispose of them when they do burn out has turned me off.  I did just see some LED light bulbs at Target last week.  Yes, they are pricey but they're steadily coming down in price and I take the Target sighting as a good sign that they'll come down even more and be more widely available.  Unfortunately, they didn't have any in the type I needed or else I might have bitten the bullet and bought it.

OP, in your situation I'd either go with halogen, stick with incandescent or perhaps bite the bullet and spring for LED. 

[chevy974]

the side effects from these bulbs is huge.  My husband gets very ill in them eyes hurt headache rash on face.  These Fluorescant bulbs are horrible for us.   I have never tried the LED lights.

[mouso]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turquesa 

Glad I'm not the only one.  I'm profoundly concerned about global warming and fossil fuels.  I carry reusable bags to the grocery store, carry re-usable mugs to the coffee bar, conserve water and energy, and minimize time in my car.  But I remain a CFL skeptic, sorry to say, which is apparently politically incorrect and probably lumps me in with the tinfoil hat people.

We have dimmers for some of our fixtures to save energy, and CFLs also don't work for those either, btw (according to an electrician I spoke to).I guess I would use CFLs for some of the ceiling fixtures that the kids definitely couldn't reach, although my little darlings have been known to play "indoor sports" while they think Mom isn't looking....

Originally Posted by taubel 

Many CFLs also contain mercury. Since we have 3 rowdy boys, we stopped using them. Too much risk of them getting broken. We were also concerned about the "dirty" electricity they can create.

 

I've read that you should never use them in your kitchen or bathroom. If they break, the mercury in them can contaminate surfaces and that's just not something you want to happen in your kitchen, especially as lights are generally higher and will explode over more surface area. 

We do mainly use them in the rest of the house but not in those two rooms. My first thought upon reading this thread was that I should stock up too. Supposedly they are working on a mercury-free bulb, but it's not here yet. 

Those of you who have LED bulbs, is the light OK? I really don't like LED lights in lanterns, etc, the light is so cold and harsh. Fine for camping but in my house, no. Are the bulbs any better?

[SleeplessMommy]

Can lights are an IDEAL place for LED bulbs. I get mine at Sams club. I wish had more can lights!

Here is one bulb source:

http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/index.aspx

Yesterday I got the Phillips Ambient LED light at Home Depot. "the yellow bulb" Light color is great, a real 60W equivalent which uses 8W of electricity. Mercury free and dimmable! Cost was $40. This is a GREAT alternative to CFL if you buy them one or two a time. Should have a long life.

Edited by SleeplessMommy - 1/25/11 at 4:00pm