Trying to go green?
By estherlou
@estherlou (5015)
United States
May 25, 2008 11:04am CST
Just saw an article on those CFL light bulbs that supposedly safe energy. We've never gotten them because hubby thinks spending over $2.50 for one light bulb is beyond ridiculous. I read about them here http://www.mygreenclick.com/index.php and then looked on the walmart site to check out the prices and found all of this info about them...what you save, how long they last, etc. etc. etc. They sound like a good idea. Anyone use them? What do you think?
Description
GE Energy SmartTM light bulbs save energy, save money, last longer, provide the same light as a Soft White bulbs and are ENERGY STAR® qualified. The new smaller size fits in more fixtures.
GE Energy SmartTM CFL Light Bulb: 26 Watt (100W Equivalent), 6-Pk:
How much will this bulb save me in energy costs?
Each bulb will save $59 in energy costs over the life of the bulb, based on $0.10 per kWh.
How many bulbs are included?
Six (6) bulbs are included.
What is the cost per bulb?
$2.53 per bulb.
How long will one bulb last?
One 26 watt Energy SmartTM light bulb is rated for 8,000 hours -- as long as ten 100 Watt conventional Soft White incandescent bulbs.
Each bulb is guaranteed to last 8,000 hours or 5 years based on average consumer use of 4 hours per day at 120V.
How much energy does each bulb use?
Each bulb uses 26 watts and produces as much light as a conventional 100 watt bulb. This will reduce energy use by more than 70%.
How big is one bulb; will it fit in my existing fixtures?
Each bulb is approximately 5.25 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide. It can be used with most household light coverings. Please refer to the image above to view the size comparison to an incandescent bulb.
Key benefits, compared to standard incandescent light bulbs:
Lasts up to 10 times longer
Uses 75% less energy, saving money on energy bills
Same quality of light as Soft White bulbs
Stays cooler
Goes on instantly, flicker-free
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5646244
6 people like this
26 responses
@aplaza (630)
• Netherlands
25 May 08
I have been using those kind of bulbs for years now. When they were first available their cost was quite prohibitive. As more and more people started using them they've become cheaper to buy.
I liked the idea of being able to save on the electric bill as well as not having to change them as often as "normal" ones.
Lately the bulbs come in better sizes too. So if one of my bulbs goes in a lamp now I'll replace it with one of those energy saving ones.
4 people like this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
25 May 08
There are a lot of advantages to these CFL bulbs, and their longevity is a major one, along with the overall decreased operating costs.
One disadvantage is that they contain small amounts of mercury, which may cause a problem with disposal, if the environmentalists get too outrageous in their demands.
Overall, I do like the idea of them, but so far we have not bought any, although we probably will start when we go through our current supply of light bulbs on hand.
2 people like this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
26 May 08
Good question... there is less mercury in them then there is in thermostats and similar things, and I always just threw that kind of thing away.
Now, with all of the HazMat hoopla, there is no telling what you are supposed to do with them, but they had better clarify it before someone declares those as toxic waste.
I would hate to be hit with a big Federal fine just because I threw away a stupid light bulb.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
25 May 08
We use these light bulbs and saw a change in our electric bill immediately. We just recently switched out 3-way lamp to a CFL bulb as well.
If you are worried about initial cost, wal-mart now carries their brand of these bulbs. I believe you can get 6 for right around $7 (all of our are GE and we got six for about $10). The three-setting bulbs are a bit more. I think we paid $4 for 1 bulb.
We have ceiling fans with the flower shaped light bulb coverings and we do not have any problems with the bulbs bitting. They are the same width as a regular bulb.
The bulbs are a lot cooler. I know our 3-setting bulbs use to get super hot to the point where when you turned the lamp off the room would instantly get cooler.
2 people like this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
25 May 08
We like buying store brands, so this is good to know. Hubby does all of the shopping as I'm partially handicapped, so getting him to try out new things I hear about doesn't always work. LOL. Good to know about the walmart bulbs. Maybe he'll try them out.
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
25 May 08
We use them. I think they've helped out quite a bit but everyone else is not so sure. We haven't had any blow out on us yet thankfully, they're all still in use, especially in the rooms that bulbs tend to blow out in the most, mostly the rooms that lights get used in so often. My grandfather says he doesn't see a chance in the electric bill but I think there has to be some kind of difference.
2 people like this
@sonyareads (73)
•
25 May 08
I love these bulbs. We put one in our kitchen (the circular ones) I think we paid around $6 for it, and it has lasted us so far about 4 years. We haven't had to replace it yet.
We picked up an 8 pack at Sam's for around $10 last year, and so far they none have had to be replaced. It's hard to say how much they really affect our energy bill, because we use way too much electricity as it is, with the A/C running nonstop, the washer and dryer going for a family of 5, and the pump on the pool running all the time. there is always a tv going somewhere or a computer on too.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
25 May 08
You can get them on sale at Walgreens. We have one
in our living room that has lasted five years so I
am sold on them. we have two in our kitchen and one
did burn out due to fluctuations but we have saved
a lot on our electic bill. I like the amount of'
light that they throw out also as its clean and
brighter than ordinary bulbs. I am all for them.
2 people like this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
26 May 08
We have 2 of the CFL's in our livingroom. They're the spotlight kind of bulbs. While they're slow to warm up and get bright, I appreciate how long they've lasted. One over a year and the other about 1 1/2 years so far.
I quit buying the regular cheap light bulbs (like the Walmart brand). I noticed I was replacing them more often which means it ended up costing me more money!
We have several of the name brand long life bulbs, but I'll be replacing those with the CFL's as they burn out. I like the idea of saving energy and less waste.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
25 May 08
I have been useing the 26 watt that puts out 100 watt light for several years now and I find that my bills is lower and they do last along time.
BUt I have run out of them right now and need to buy a new pack to replac the one that has burnt out I do like them
2 people like this
@theproperator (2429)
• United States
25 May 08
I've been switching over to them as my conventional bulbs burn out. once I have changed out the majority, I hope to see some energy savings. I have several of the CFLs stored up in my closet because I got them on clearance at Target on a few occasions. I have some I put in lamps at least two years ago and they haven't burnt out yet, so I believe the claims about them lasting longer, if nothing else. My only complaint is that the regular ones are not dimmable, and I have several dimmable lights in my house. I know you can buy CFLs that are dimmable, but they are more expensive, but I figure I'll use up my incandesant bulbs on the dimmable lights first, then start looking for the dimmable CFLs on sale.
2 people like this
@SangsTurks (1444)
• India
26 May 08
To add to your knowledge,they can even cause migraine! Have you been complaining of headaches or feeling the strain in the eyes?
If you want want to know more read under "Learner" the tpoic is " Does flourescent bulbs cause migraine?"
1 person likes this
@richard331 (100)
• United States
26 May 08
I think that gettin the bulbs would be a great way to go greener and to save money. I have heard also that these bulbs could save you up to $30 a year on your electric bill!
@SangsTurks (1444)
• India
26 May 08
Hi Richard, these bulbs would sure be a great way to get greener but did you know that they can(might) cause migraine?
If you want to know more ,read under intrest "Learner" section, the topic would be " Does flourescent bulbs cause migraine?"
Yes it does save money, but it could give you a bad headache!
1 person likes this
@paid2write (5201)
•
25 May 08
I think in the near future 'normal' lightbulbs will no longer be available and everyone will have to buy the energy efficient type. If it saves you $59 on your electric bill how can anyone complain at paying $2.53? If you look around I think you will find you can buy them for less. I bought one in Woolworths, their own brand for 50p ($1), and sometimes they are given free or are offered at a promotional price to get people to try them and save energy. It is important for the planet and you save money on your bills.
2 people like this
@Palmerhusky (843)
• United States
26 May 08
at my home...we use nothing but those bulbs. and they save us so much money. yeah the are a bit more expensive than your normal bulbs. But those normal bulbs are energy hogs. you get what you pay for... you want a cheap bulb thats going to only last you 6 months and have to keep replacing them far too much or are you going to buy a bulb thats not only going to not have to be replaced for a really long time, but is also going to save energy and save on your bill. when i looked at the benifits i realized that they far out weight the costs. the bulbs pay for them selves in a relitively short amount of time...especially when you combine them with the recommended energy saving tips...like turning out bed room lights or other light in rooms your not using. i love my energy saving lightbulbs.
1 person likes this
@fuelcash (7)
• United States
26 May 08
We have started using them. Our youngest daughter was selling them thru her science class for a 3-day field trip. So I did a little research on them and read an article on the Public Radio website. As stated by someone earlier, they contain some mercury and are really not suppose to be placed in your regular garbage. And the recycling companies don't want them either. So be very careful if you happen to break one and watch how you clean them up. They save money but are not that enviromently friendly.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
26 May 08
All we use in our house is the CFL bulbs. That's all we've used the whole time we've been married (a little over 3 years). We've had very few go out during that time, even though my husband and I are both night owls. We live in North Dakota, too, so the amount of time that they are on during the winter is much longer than the 4 hours per day that they say is the average.
The prices are really going down on them now. We bought some today at Menards, and paid $7.88 for a four pack. Considering how much they do help with the energy bill, and how much longer they last, they are really a great deal!
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
26 May 08
I have them all over the house..I didn't get them all at once,but gradually since moving into my house 11 years ago..haven't had to replace one of them yet! I don't have dimmer switches,so that works fine,as they are basically mini tube lights,and won't work with Dimmers..the slightly higher purchase price is easily offset by the juice you'll save over the life of even one of these bulbs..prices are dropping on them too,I've noticed,and sometimes you'll see Power companies and environmental places offering them for free or at low cost..there are mini ones,full size ones,even ornamental shaped ones,so there'd be a CFL for most applications..I like the idea of LED lighting too..I use a couple of LED lamps on my bike at night..very bright,and easy on batteries..would household LED's run on 12 volt supply? That would work out well with a house solar electric panel..Try one of the CFL's to see how they suit you before buying a load of them!
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
30 May 08
If you watch for sales, you can get them alot cheaper. Menard's had them on sale last year..3pk for $4.00 BUT with a $2.00 rebate, they were only 2 bucks for a 3pk. I ended up buying 4 of those pkgs. but haven't installed any of them yet cause I would like to used up my old lightbulbs that I paid for. I just might put a price tag on the rest of the old bulbs this summer when I have a sale and see if someone will want them so I will have an honest excuse to use the new ones. lol
@snowy22315 (180663)
• United States
25 May 08
He may as well get used to them because they are the wave of the future. They are expensive but as they are out on the market longer thye will become cheaper like everything else. I just don't like the way they look in celing lights etc. I don't use them there.
1 person likes this
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
26 May 08
A couple of years ago I began replacing all my light bulbs with these....so far the only ones not replaced are the ones in the refrigerator. And yes they last forever compared to the traditional light bulb. And I have not actually sat down to calculate how much I have saved in my electricity bill since switching, but I did notice the bill went down considerably as these bulbs were switched out.
Oh and they fit just about everywhere....even in the hood over the stove, and that is the most used light in the house and I replaced that last fall.
It does put out the same amount of light, if not better, but when first turned on it's dim....kinda like flourescent lights warming up. But it's not bothersome in the amount of time to warm up.
Personally I like the fact that I am helping conserve energy, conserve my money and the price is worth the product.
Try out a few before you invest for the whole house.
1 person likes this
