Now that you've replaced every bulb in your home with those twisty compact fluorescents, you can relax for a while, right? They last 10 years, so by the time you have to change another bulb, you'll be ready to replace them with LEDs. Not so fast, says California utility PG&E, which insists that CFLs don't last nearly as long as claimed. But our brighter brethren at Consumer Reports state that some of them really do, and they've got test results to prove it.
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My husband & I put an addition on our house and put CFLs in the entire house. Those in the bathroom and 2 other in the house have burnt out in less than 4 yrs. But I have to say, our electric bill is substaincally lower.
ReplyDeleteAnother energy saving "plan" set in place without disclosing the full story to the general public. CFL's have high levels of mercury in them which if broken can be toxic to your family's health and your home. They should not be thrown in with the regular trash because it is considered a hazardous material. They can also induce seizures, even in those not diagnosed as epileptic.
ReplyDeleteIf you care about the health of your family and the toxins being tossed at dumps to wash into the ground stick with those conventional light bulbs. I would much rather change my bulb more often then deal with the unavoidable contamination that will be a major risk for my children and grandchildren.
9:08, how did you dispose of the bulbs that burned out? Were you aware of the fact they are not to be placed in garbage recepticles for transport to landfills?
ReplyDeleteI have not used one of these bulbs and do not plan to use these bulbs until I absolutely HAVE to.
ReplyDeleteAs far as our lamps in the house, these bulbs will NOT work in them because of the way the lamps are made.
I stocked up on the old style when they started clearancing them and will use them as long as possible.
As far as burn time, I have old style bulbs that have lasted me as long as they say the new way more expensive ones will last, so I see NO savings to this change.
Just more money for the company making them, period!
They don't last long at all and as a matter of fact I need to replace one in the bathroom as we speak.
ReplyDeleteThey are a Hazardous Material and I am very surprised the EPA and other Tree Huggers aren't fire up about them.
I use cfl's throughout the house. Right after we moved in the local Giant had some sale where CFLs were about .50 a pop. One has burned out in the last 5 years.
ReplyDeleteI mark the date installed with a Sharpie pen on the base of each bulb.
ReplyDeleteThat way, I can tell exactly how long they last.
Some of the cheaper ones don't last diddly-squat. Others have lasted years.