Energy Savings Update

Matt Clina

A couple of months ago, I posted that I found a really good deal on compact flourescent bulbs at my local Walgreens. I figured I would follow up and let people know what effect it had on my electric bill.

Several months prior to switching bulbs, I had an electric bill of about $107. I told my kids that if they would start turning off lights, I would split any savings with them. Two bills in a row after this "deal" the bill was almost exactly the same, around $105.

The 13W CF bulbs (60W equivalent) were on sale at Walgreens at 2 for $1. I replaced every bulb in my house, with the exception of two fixtures that are on dimmers, and a bathroom vanity, for a cost of about $20.

My last electric bill was about $80 and I attribute the entire savings to the new light bulbs. For you economists, that is a payback of about 3 weeks.

I highly recommend switching. I still see these bulbs on sale for $1 or less at several stores.

The only downside is that they take a few seconds to light up, and a few more seconds to reach full brightness. They also have to be disposed of as hazardous waste at the end of their life, which is said to be 7 years.

Steamhead

And

some companies now offer CFs that will work with dimmers. I have a few Philips dimmables in my house, and they work great.

Keep us informed!

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

By Golly they ARE here even if not carried locally

Note this statement from the Energy Federation Association:

"These compact fluorescents are all able to be dimmed - but realize that dimmable screwbase compact fluorescent technology is still a work in progress. These bulbs will not dim as low as incandescent bulbs will dim, or as smoothly. The quality of the dimming control seems to make a significant difference, and dimmers with a low level trim adjustment work best. This means that the dimmer may be set so the lowest level is equal to the lowest level the compact fluorescent is designed for. Note that TCP recommends a dimming control under their own brand that works well, and Leviton makes a dimmer specifically for use with the Philips Marathon dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs."

Here's a link to the product page at that site.

"Dimmable Compact Fluorescents"

I notice that ALL have a note saying, "not suitable for use in fully enclosed fixtures". Would like to put them in my ceiling fans, but they're fully enclosed. Any idea why? Can't imagine them overheating the fixture, but maybe they overheat themselves?

michael_15

Saving money

Hopefully, your kids didn't start reading in the dark in an effort to make some money. Of course, from the change in the electric bill, it looks like they didn't.

We've got vast quantities of flourescent lights in our house, mostly bought for, well, 50 cents each. I've noticed that the failure rate is pretty high -- that is, probably 20-25% don't last more than a few months. However, the rest last plenty long, so it doesn't really bother me.

We've got a bunch of dimming lights, too. They were on sale for about $7-$20 (depending on style) and look just like the halogen torchieres. However, they tend to have some pretty crummy ballasts and regularly have issues with flicker and turning on, especially on colder days. But since I'm since a miser, they make me feel better because I tell myself I'm saving money. . .

-Michael

bigugh_4

The swollen base

on those is a transformer! (ballast) and likely to overheat if placed in an enclosure. Their design is for air to cool that part. just my opinion!

Constantin

Thanks for the link, Mike!

That's a great help, knowing that there are bulbs for the small Candlebra fittings that are still found in many sconces, etc! Now, the only question is how I get them snuck into the house...

Steamhead

Try these links

http://www.1000bulbs.com/

http://www.bulbs.com/

I've bought from both vendors, never had a problem.

Those candelabra-base CFs really stand out when you put them in electric window candle holders during the holidays! Just make sure the cat doesn't tip them over while climbing onto the window sill..... ask me how I know that can be a problem.

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

You're quite welcome. The paid lighting consultant part of me still finds some problems. Character and color rendition are still lacking.

Perhaps I'll start seeing nice lighting designed for use with compact fluorescents. At present, it's geared to incandescent--be it "standard" or various halides.

Also wonder about the true cost. Hopefully the electronic ballasts take significantly less energy to produce than the bulb is expected to save. Did however notice the unique version in that link with a replaceable bulb.

Constantin

Thanks Steamhead!

Even more CF bulbs to choose from! Thanks to resources like this one, I can do some better research into what I ought to install in the house. In particular, I like that some of the brands that the energystar people are offering me are of the highest lumen/watt variety.