Discussions

I Energy saving bulbs!!! My take  
 
I have no argument that these critters save energy. But money?? The jury is still out here. When coin allowed me when I was younger I was a early adopter of all things new. Light bulbs were always and still is a issue with me--- and now when I get older the brighter the better.  
 
We had a place where I was for ever replacing light bulbs in the bath room. We had two light strips with those big fancy bulbs two daughters and one owner operator---ooppps wife. 47 showers/baths a day is one thing but the lights were always left on.  
 
Then it hit me( pre energy twirly bulbs) get a timer/switch. It worked great 10 min/20 or a hour that was the choice, Bulb replacements were few and far between --although griping about not enough time re tub soakers skyrocketed.  
 
Then I saw the new bulbs even better I said to myself. Two issues came to light up front----those lights act weird when you use timers--almost like when you use that tech out side--they flicker forever until they decide to stay on--lucky I had only 4 of the 8 lights replace--the others covered. I know now and should have known then--that tech needs different timers. The second--- the 13w = 60 etc is rubbish. I used to be in the--- well I know lights---They use other terms to compare brightness --colour temp etc but lumen is the main term used in house lighting. --its what you see in my opinion. Grab any 13 watt energy light and grab a good quality incandescent and compare lumens ---nope not equal close but no cigar. Even compare the energy 13 watt to each other some range as low as 500 and up to but not quite as a good quality 60 watt.  
 
Then there is this last fact----ignore the fact accidents happen and we can all break bulbs in the weirdest way------ I started buying these critters again- out of 6 bulbs two burned out in under a month. No not in a timer controlled system just in ceiling fans. No I did not keep the my receipts but this 5 year thing smells and I hear rumours that in enclosed spaces say a ceiling light its much less.  
 
My last thoughts to sum above--- They are not as bright, break just as easily and the life span is oversold. The light quality is crap in some ways (harsh) . Any savings I have had--- is toast because of said spent bulbs. At the end of the day I will start buying again but will keep my invoices for warranty but will use them only in certain areas. New tech will solve the Harshness problem but some times the heat and light and cheapness of a incandescent light is needed .