CFL lamps

[j_martin]

Electric bill's too high, so I decided to re-lamp with CFL's. Walmarts sale didn't hurt either.

Then I came across this FAQ.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs FAQ
Posted by Frank J. at 11:12 AM | View blog reactions | Comments (13)
Compact fluorescent light bulbs are increasing in popularity. SarahK is adamant about us not using them for medical and religious reasons, but Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit has been a big proponent of them (he keeps track of readers who have converted their lighting on his site's sidebar). Since he's not one to jump on the bandwagon of environmental causes, I figured there must be something else afoot if one who drinks blended puppy suddenly has an interest in light bulbs. Here's what I found out put into an easy to read FAQ format:

Q. Why would I want to replace my incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs?
A. A CFL uses only one-fifth to one-fourth the energy of an incandescent bulb which saves money and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Also, CFLs last up to fifteen times as long as incandescent bulbs.

Q. How is it that CFLs use less energy than regular incandescent light bulbs?
A. A CFL turns electricity much more efficiently into light than an incandescent bulb which wastes 90% of the electricity in consumes in the form of heat. Also, instead of drawing all its power from electricity, a CFL also draws some of its power from Satan (check the packaging of the bulb for the specific percentage).

Q. Is it true that a CFL will dim over time?
A. CFLs may dim before reaching the end of their lifespan. Also, repeated exposure to the effects of a CFL will eventually erodes one's soul, causing everything to look dimmer despite no change in actual light output.

Q. Are there special environmental concerns in disposing of CFLs?
A. Since CFLs contain mercury, special disposal procedures should be followed. Also, if a CFL breaks, a certain amount of evil will be released into the world. Remains should not be handled until the area is cleaned by the EPA and exorsized by a priest.

Q. Is the light from a CFL the same as that of an incandescent bulb?
A. A CFL emits light on a different wavelength than an incandescent bulb. While the light is similar, some describe it as slightly "unnatural" or "evil." All the effects of the wavelength haven't been fully classified, and some say that if you stare directly into the bulb, you'll get glimpses of another dimension filled with beings of unimaginable horror and that to fully realize them would cause madness. Thus, staring at a CFL is not recommended.

Q. Can the light from a CFL cause seizures?
A. There is evidence of increased seizure risk, but it should be noted that CFLs thrive on human suffering and watching you fall into a epileptic fit will increase the CFL's efficacy.

Q. Ever since installing CFLs in my home, I've felt cold even though the thermostat notes no difference in temperature. Why is that?
A. Since CFLs waste less energy as heat, the area directly around a CFL may not feel as warm as you may have been acquainted to. Also, most theologians agree that God will not dwell where the light of a CFL shines. This separation from the love of the Almighty is often described as a vague feeling of "coldness." Intense depression may follow.

Q. After using CFLs, I tend to have horrible dreams. I can't remember what happens in them, but I wake up in a cold sweat and have an odd sense of dread for the rest of the day. I've begun to fear sleeping. Is this normal?
A. Yes.

Q. I think I heard voices coming from my CFL urging me to kill my family. Have I gone insane?
A. No. Sometimes demons will use a CFL as a way to open a path of communication between their dark dimension and our own. Since they prey on man when he is weak, make sure to stay away from all CFLs if you're feeling particularly mentally vulnerable.

Q. I have this feeling that my prayers are ineffective when a CFL is shining on me. Why is that?
A. While some say its blasphemous to put a limit to God's power, many still believe that the wavelength emitted by a CFL effectively corrupts one's prayers and keeps God from hearing them. It is recommended you turn off all CFLs in your household before trying to communicate with a benevolent higher power. It should be noted, though, that your prayers will most likely be in vain since purchasing a CFL may be viewed as a tacit agreement with Satan.

[CDave]

I did not know they were so evil. I've been using them in my house for years. Good thing I've got Jesus on my side.

[john j 80 viking]

Remember the big push by the power companies back in the 90's to use more energy efficient lights and appliances? They get everyone using less electricity, then raise the rates so your still paying about the same amount.

My town (for which I work for) did the same thing last year. Between water saving programs and the economy, people are using less water. But it still costs the same amount to operate the water treatment plant, so they rewarded us by raising the water rates.

[Frank Molé]

wow scary

[Ziemer]

I've got some CFL's in my recessed can lights and I hate them. They take a couple of minutes before they "warm up" to the full brightness and it's annoying as hell.

I'm waiting for the LED's to come down to the price level of the CFL's.

[TUG]

Mr. Martin, The great REP Ted Poe has a message for you....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv59PJ30WeM

[j_martin]

Mr. Martin, The great REP Ted Poe has a message for you....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv59PJ30WeM

I heard that, and I agree with him. That's why I've resisted till now.

Meanwhile, the electric bill is killing me....... So what am I to do?

John

[TUG]

Just poking fun atchu . you have to do what you have to do i guess but in all honesty, if your good at turning lights off behind you i cant see where those light bulbs will even put a dent in your electric bill unless you live in a mansion and leave a lot of lights on. Keep us posted as to how much they actually drop your electric bill! I'm curious myself as to what the savings add up to versus the cost and inconvenient disposal of those Toxic light bulbs that are full of Mercury, interfere with Monday night football , fade family portraits and made in China

[j_martin]

Just poking fun atchu . you have to do what you have to do i guess but in all honesty, if your good at turning lights off behind you i cant see where those light bulbs will even put a dent in your electric bill unless you live in a mansion and leave a lot of lights on. Keep us posted as to how much they actually drop your electric bill! I'm curious myself as to what the savings add up to versus the cost and inconvenient disposal of those Toxic light bulbs that are full of Mercury, interfere with Monday night football , fade family portraits and made in China

There's about 1000 times the mercury in my thermostat than is in one of these bulbs. One shouldn't be stupid or careless, but there's not really a big danger there.

I have teenagers in the house. Also, there are lights that are on 4 or more hours per day routinely.

I tested all the appliances and have figured that about half my electric bill is lighting. If I can cut that by a significant amount, that's good.

At the price of the lamps, and the price of electricity, I figure a lamp used 4 hours per day will pay for itself in only 2 months. It's expected life at that rate is 5 years. To me it's a no-brainer.

In spaces where a light is turned on, used a minute or 2, then turned off (food pantry, for instance) I stayed with the Edison system.

On disposal, there will have to be a provision there pretty soon. For now, the dead ones go into a 5 gallon pail with a cover. I figure I can do about 10 years of toxic waste storage with one $1.50 plastic pail.

Thanks for the jab, though. It's been fun.
John

[Riverman]

Wow how much is power there? I changed the entire house to CFLs about 5 years ago except for closets and such. They even work ok outdoors in the winter.

[Lanceonthelake]

GE makes LED replacement for 40 watt bulb

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20...or*****sArea.0

[TUG]

LOL, Yup 4 teenagers will do it for sure LOL Its just me and my 14 year old son in a 4 bed 2 bath house and i'm really good at killing the lights behind me and i keep on him to do the same. My last electric bill was only $68 I do have a multi camera monitoring system for outside that stays on 24/7 and a few motion lights that use quite a bit of juice at night for protection against the thieves and believe you me they work VERY well down here in Texico! Sense 2005 ive caught people trying to get in my storage 9 different times and its always a hoot when the motion alarm in one of the camera's goes off and wakes me up and i get on the intercom and scare the hell out of them
One Time i got on the intercom and told them i was getting dressed and coming out with some lead for their ass and watched as they scrambled to their old red pickup and it wouldn't start (solenoid wouldn't engage the starter)You can hear a pin drop on this monitoring system and i could hear them freaking out trying to get it started Funny, Funny! The thing was worth every penny ! Another time i had some blackcats and didn't let the guy know i was up, swung the back door open and yelled hey, hey real loud and threw a couple of cats on the ground POP POP, ive never seen someone run so fast in my life!! Its definantly worth the juice it uses Good luck with you endeavor..

There's about 1000 times the mercury in my thermostat than is in one of these bulbs. One shouldn't be stupid or careless, but there's not really a big danger there.

I have teenagers in the house. Also, there are lights that are on 4 or more hours per day routinely.

I tested all the appliances and have figured that about half my electric bill is lighting. If I can cut that by a significant amount, that's good.

At the price of the lamps, and the price of electricity, I figure a lamp used 4 hours per day will pay for itself in only 2 months. It's expected life at that rate is 5 years. To me it's a no-brainer.

In spaces where a light is turned on, used a minute or 2, then turned off (food pantry, for instance) I stayed with the Edison system.

On disposal, there will have to be a provision there pretty soon. For now, the dead ones go into a 5 gallon pail with a cover. I figure I can do about 10 years of toxic waste storage with one $1.50 plastic pail.

Thanks for the jab, though. It's been fun.
John

[CDave]

One Time i got on the intercom and told them i was getting dressed and coming out with some lead for their ass and watched as they scrambled to their old red pickup and it wouldn't start (solenoid wouldn't engage the starter)You can hear a pin drop on this monitoring system and i could hear them freaking out trying to get it started Funny, Funny! The thing was worth every penny ! Another time i had some blackcats and didn't let the guy know i was up, swung the back door open and yelled hey, hey real loud and threw a couple of cats on the ground POP POP, ive never seen someone run so fast in my life!! Its definantly worth the juice it uses Good luck with you endeavor..

Now that's funny as all get out!

[sho305]

I can tell you the globe style ones suck, they take forever to warm up and don't last long. I put them in a bath and they worked ok, so I put them in another bath. After while they got slower and slower, in winter it took 3-4 minutes at maybe 67F. About two years they go bad, some quit and the rest get dim. I put one in and its way brighter and faster than the old ones. Mind you one out of the same pack I bought at sams club. I'll put regular bulbs back in. For lamps and stuff they work well enough using the spiral typle. The 100w replacements really put out, I have a 150w size in the garage and a normal bulb. In the winter I get half light for a while. I got some outdoor floods they work ok. I never saw my electric go down, I even put a new fridge and full size freezer in that according to energystar would save like $40 a month, it never made a difference. Put a pump on the boiler as the bill went up when that started, adjusted it so it ran less, that might have helped a little. It is rated at less than half the power.

Have a new kitchen light a 4' one, with the electronic instant ballast and the new T-8? the new skinny tubes. That thing really works nice, instant on, silent, no flicker, bright as can be everywhere and 68w I think they are total. I did buy a $10 office lamp that is LED, it works OK but kind of stark light and not that bright. But I use it often in the family room so I can keep the other lights off at night, its the TV light.

Have a programmable thermostat, that thing is great never touch it. Turns heat down at night and up in AM. If you don't have one think about it. Just have to remember to do the time change on it.

Anything that makes heat takes power, I pull the coffee soon as its done for example and put in a carafe.

Some say the CFLs don't save you that much and I think they are on to something, it has to do with how they use power. A company can save a lot if they run a power conditioner on them. I like the part of how they last longer as they do, but do get dim with age and didn't change my bill at all that I can tell. About $10/month I would know for sure. I did most light bulbs about 10yr ago, anything used for more than 10 min I changed out. I keep a power strip and put all the wall warts and chargers into it. I turn it on only when using them, keep trying to find one with a switch for each outlet or each couple of them. I heard now they have one that senses draw and when it stops charging the strip shuts off.

LED Christmas lights save power, I changed to mostly those and it did show up in the bill running them 4-6hr a day. The tree is all LED. Last I looked couple year ago electric here was about .10 including everything.

[1BadAction]

The trademark CFL curly bulb is evil because they get that shape from molding it right off the devils tail, true story.