We've had cfl's in our house since it was new, so I don't know what if any savings that might have happened. I am concerned about the heavy metal in them (mercury) and what that will do to the environment, but we won't talk about that right now...

 

About 3 years ago i changed out everything to 13watt CFL's, EXCEPT the bathroom lights. Reason being bathroom lights are on so little (15 minutes a day, tops, and i want the brightness in there)

Not a single problem yet. Dont pay attention to the bill to notice the difference. CFL's let off less heat too, so sometimes i dont feel the lights "burning my skin" when im sitting below them anymore.

Still using the same lightbulbs.. so I'd say longevity is fine by me.. I used to need about 1 replacement bulb a month before i switched to CFL.

The mercury thing.. I just say I even off my mercury by refusing to eat any fish, period. Fish eaters bring mercury on land in fish all day long, ill dispose a CFL every 4 or 5 years. Sounds even to me.

 

I have almost all CFL'S in my house now. I just put them in as the incadescents burned out. They don't like the cold so I wouldn't put them in a garage. I have never replaced a CFL'S yet I have been buying the Phillips brand.
I think LED's will be the future and would be more excepted.

 

I started using the "generic" (GV?) brand at WalMart several years ago and have had generally good success with them. I will say that my experience is that they don't last the projected life expectancy that is claimed on the package (5 years?) I write the date on the base when I install one and I generally get 2-3 years out of each one. After you figure the initial cost, I'm not sure that I'm saving much.

 

Other than Jim Lane's comments about some of these overheating and causing a fire & smoke situaiton, I have never heard of this at any other place. I have them in a few on the glass-covered fixtures in my house - they are not sealed fixtures by any means, but is this a dangerous idea? I wonder is the overheating possibility due to a small step-down transformer in the bulbs that heats us - much like diming down a 60-wat bulb by a switch dimmer?

 

Im sure there is a special CFL out there for enclosed fixtures. Just like there is a special regular lightbulb for enclosured fixtures too.

 

Ya there is a problem with some of them. Here is a link for you to enjoy.

http://www.execulink.com/~impact/pur-lite_pro-9000X.htm

I have seen this but still used them over at my last house. Not to sure if i will go with them in the new place.

 

Eek! Thats a scary thought.