Comments on: Switching to CFL http://blog.vertography.com/2008/08/18/switching-to-cfl/ Simplifying the green life Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:42:01 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Jben http://blog.vertography.com/2008/08/18/switching-to-cfl/comment-page-1/#comment-164 Jben Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:44:49 +0000 http://blog.vertography.com/?p=274#comment-164 I agree with Steve in that the CFL bulbs do not last. I have noticed the same thing. I hadn't thought about how that offsets the energy savings but I think you are on to something. I guess the consuming public needs to start keeping their receipts and request replacements if they are going to advertise misleading information about longevity. I agree with Steve in that the CFL bulbs do not last. I have noticed the same thing. I hadn’t thought about how that offsets the energy savings but I think you are on to something.

I guess the consuming public needs to start keeping their receipts and request replacements if they are going to advertise misleading information about longevity.

]]> By: john http://blog.vertography.com/2008/08/18/switching-to-cfl/comment-page-1/#comment-160 john Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:49:31 +0000 http://blog.vertography.com/?p=274#comment-160 I think the energy savings part is a pretty safe bet, but I agree some are not lasting anywhere near as long as claimed. That said, I've had a few tungsten bulbs die on me very quickly too. My experience so far with CFL is that the well known brand bulbs are lasting well, and a few of the cheaper ones have failed. I haven't had any failures out of the box (from roughly the same number of bulbs as you). One big difference between the tungsten bulbs and CFLs is that the latter actually include some electronics too. For those that remember the older fluorescent tubes, the electronics are there to take the place of the ballast (sometimes called starter) that was needed with the tube lights, and did fail too sometimes. I have read comments about the quality of the electronic ballast in some cheaper CFLs being suspect, and the cause of most early failures. I think the energy savings part is a pretty safe bet, but I agree some are not lasting anywhere near as long as claimed. That said, I’ve had a few tungsten bulbs die on me very quickly too. My experience so far with CFL is that the well known brand bulbs are lasting well, and a few of the cheaper ones have failed. I haven’t had any failures out of the box (from roughly the same number of bulbs as you).

One big difference between the tungsten bulbs and CFLs is that the latter actually include some electronics too. For those that remember the older fluorescent tubes, the electronics are there to take the place of the ballast (sometimes called starter) that was needed with the tube lights, and did fail too sometimes. I have read comments about the quality of the electronic ballast in some cheaper CFLs being suspect, and the cause of most early failures.

]]> By: Steve Petr http://blog.vertography.com/2008/08/18/switching-to-cfl/comment-page-1/#comment-159 Steve Petr Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:45:41 +0000 http://blog.vertography.com/?p=274#comment-159 New CFL bulbs do not last anywhere near as long as advertised. Also, after 90 days even Wal-mart will make you send them back to the manufacturer for your warranty. My experience has been as follows: I replaced most of the bulbs in my home over a 2 month period starting about 8 months ago (34 cfl bulbs total). 12 of these bulbs (34%) were defective out of the box. Either they did not work at all or only 1/2 the bulb lit up or they made a very loud buzzing sound). As of today (8 months later) I have had to replace 10 more for the same problems as noted before. I almost never got a defective old style bulb out of the box and most of them lasted between 12 months to 36 months depending on usage. They also cost 1/5th as much. Since the advertised longevity of these bulbs is a lie I'm not sure if we can be sure if the energy savings is true either. New CFL bulbs do not last anywhere near as long as advertised. Also, after 90 days even Wal-mart will make you send them back to the manufacturer for your warranty. My experience has been as follows:
I replaced most of the bulbs in my home over a 2 month period starting about 8 months ago (34 cfl bulbs total). 12 of these bulbs (34%) were defective out of the box. Either they did not work at all or only 1/2 the bulb lit up or they made a very loud buzzing sound). As of today (8 months later) I have had to replace 10 more for the same problems as noted before. I almost never got a defective old style bulb out of the box and most of them lasted between 12 months to 36 months depending on usage. They also cost 1/5th as much. Since the advertised longevity of these bulbs is a lie I’m not sure if we can be sure if the energy savings is true either.

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