I have about 40 fluorescent light bulbs in my house and they are much cheaper to operate. I only use them in rooms where we spend a lot of time. Our kitchen/family room has 14 recessed fixtures. To have them all on with 65 watt bulbs would consume 910 watts. But at 14 watts each, all 14 lights consume only 196 watts...less than two 100 watt bulbs. Our five outdoor lights consume only 75 watts total. Very important in the winter when they can be on for 18-20 hours a day. The six in the master bathroom only use 78 watts total...much less than the 360 watts the old bulbs used. Our electric bill for a 2400 sq ft house runs about $50 in the summer and about $80-$90 in the winter, thanks to compact fluorescent bulbs. And the quality of the light is pretty good too.
Of course, the fluorescents are loaded with mercury, which creates expensive disposal problems - but then, nothing’s perfect!
I am also very happy with my compactfl bulbs.
Folks - I know the global warming weenies are wrong and are losers BUT -
these bulbs work well AND I’m saving money.
I HATE those new bulbs. They’re ugly when they are in lights where you see the bulbs (unless your house is modern/contemporary) and I don’t like the light they give off - it bothers my eyes.
We have them in the rooms we DON’T use (kinda funny - opposite of you) and anywhere I read, hubby knows not to touch. We already had our little “discussion” about that.
I’ve installed compact flourescent light bulbs in my house too. I have only one 25W incandescent bulb left (in the TV room because it gives a warm glow and I like that when watching TV.
Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed much change in my electric bill. It seems that when the wife runs the clothes dryer or I run the AC, the energy from those sources more than makes up for the small savings in lighting.
Nonetheless, there are some benefits to compact flourescent light bulbs:
1. They never seem to wear out. No more stocking tons of light bulbs.
2. I like the white light that they give off in every application except in the TV room.
3. The brand of compact flourescent bulb that I purchase takes a minute to come up to full strength. That makes it easier on the eyes when I wake up in the middle of the night and have to navigate my way throughout the house.
Went to the dollar store all wattages were available. Two pack for $1.00... We’ll see.
I ripped out my fluorescent fixture over the washer because it wouldn’t stay on when the room temperature went above 95 degrees and wouldn’t light in the winter when the temp dropped to <50 degrees.
There is now a porcelain fixture with a naked 100 watt, 40 cent bulb from Kroger there and I can change it in five seconds.