05-12-2008, 09:49 PM
I have CFLs in cans in two floors of my house - they work great. I have not had to replace any of them (installed last August). The current price is $3-$5 per bulb for CFLs; many utilities have rebates, too.
The new CFLs have better color options - like soft white - making them hard to tell from regular bulbs.
There are new, dimmable CFLs - but I have not used them personally.
I am surprised at the posts against CFLs - this post must have the unluckiest people on the planet. I have done 4 houses in their entirety now (2 my own, 2 family houses). The only CFLs that did not last were older ones in the bathroom. I replaced them with a different model, and they were fine. I left my house last year, all CFL for at least 5 years, I had 6 total broken bulbs (>200 installs).
Halogens are going to be HOTTER than regular bulbs - don't put them ANYWHERE except in a heat lamp-style housing!
There are some LED options, but they are pricey. 100bulbs.com has many listings.
For a forum of savvy shoppers, I am shocked at the attitude regarding CFLs and LEDs - they DO save you money, they are better for the environment (a CFL may have mercury in it, but the amount of electricity saved means less mercury in the atmosphere from burning coal; CFLs can be recycled, too!), and they last longer (=less work to maintain).
The new CFLs have better color options - like soft white - making them hard to tell from regular bulbs.
There are new, dimmable CFLs - but I have not used them personally.
I am surprised at the posts against CFLs - this post must have the unluckiest people on the planet. I have done 4 houses in their entirety now (2 my own, 2 family houses). The only CFLs that did not last were older ones in the bathroom. I replaced them with a different model, and they were fine. I left my house last year, all CFL for at least 5 years, I had 6 total broken bulbs (>200 installs).
Halogens are going to be HOTTER than regular bulbs - don't put them ANYWHERE except in a heat lamp-style housing!
There are some LED options, but they are pricey. 100bulbs.com has many listings.
For a forum of savvy shoppers, I am shocked at the attitude regarding CFLs and LEDs - they DO save you money, they are better for the environment (a CFL may have mercury in it, but the amount of electricity saved means less mercury in the atmosphere from burning coal; CFLs can be recycled, too!), and they last longer (=less work to maintain).