Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
Laurie from Marshfield, WI
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RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
No matter the brand, they are ALL made in China. I'm thinking quality control is not the most consistent there. Also, they could give the CFL bulbs a 100-year warranty, but lets face it: no one is going to spend equal to or greater than the cost of the bulb to send it back for a replacement! In the end it's a leap of faith. You buy a 6-pack at Sam's and hope 3 of them last a year or more. Wonder what the break-even point is on electric cost savings per bulb?
Post by lappadappa
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
Where I live you cant even find the old bulbs anymore. There are some places I don't want to use the new ones and that's aggravating.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
I suspect it may be the fixture. I have a fan with 3 lights underneath that used up regular bulbs at an amazing pace. It works better with the CFL bulbs, but my mother is having the opposite result with her fan lights.
Post by louel53
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
I'm with Tori. Remember when everyone complained we were killing all the trees and started using plastic bags? No one thought ahead to see the nightmare that created. At least trees are a renewable natural resource.
Post by Lynn
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
I've had several that have lasted for years and others that have gone out after months. I've tried several brands with no difference and always go with the smallest wattage. I do not use them in closets or places where the light is turned on for just a small amount of time. It's really frustrating. My old ones that I bought before they were "fashionable" have really lasted, but the newer ones don't last. They don't save much money when you have to keep running to the store to replace them or mail them back. I'm beginning to think that companies are trading quality for quantity in an effort to make money, or they may be just a new advertising ploy to get money.
Post by susanmajp
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
I've had the same experience as you have had and have finally switched back to regular bulbs.
Post By doglvr (Guest Post)
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
Every single CFL I have used has died prematurely, and I was not using them outdoors, in a dimmer, in a 3-way, or in any other previously "not recommended" situation. I've tried the cheap bulbs and also the brand name bulbs with the same result. I have marked my bulbs with the installation date using a Sharpie pen, and not a single one has lasted even 5 or 7 years; not even close.
Some of the bulbs that died were GE with their 5-year guarantee, but who wants to mess around with postage costs to send back a bad bulb to get a replacement, especially to have to do this more than once? It would be different if I could take the bad bulb to the store where purchased and just get a replacement there, but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon if the bulb is 2 years old.
Also, CFLs are supposed to be discarded in a special way since they release mercury into the atmosphere if broken, just like regular fluorescent bulbs. This is a perfect example of a product designed to solve a problem which actually creates another problem with its disposal and the effect of that on the environment and our health.
I'm all for saving energy and already practice that in my home, but I think these bulbs are great for the company's bottom lines and not so great for the consumer.
Tori in Pittsburgh, PA
Post by truerblue
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
You need to make sure you bought the right type of CFL bulbs. If you use them with dimmer switches, timers, 3 way light fixtures, in enclosed lighting or outdoor lights need special types of CFL bulbs.
Also I read several reviews and articles stating you will get the best luck if you stick with a brand name bulb. They mentioned 3 in particular but at the moment I can only remember 2: GE and Sylvania.
I only recently purchased GE Energy Smart CFL bulbs and they come with a guarantee of lasting 5 years or they will replace the bulb for you.
Also check with your electric company as many are offering some free bulbs or rebates on the ones you buy or are offering price cuts at certain stores.
Some CFL facts on the GE page here:
http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/faq_compact.htm
At the link above you can click on "coupons" and you can print up to 2 coupons for $1 off. There also were coupons in the Sunday paper several weeks ago good through Dec if you save those coupon sections.
If 'Marshfield Utilities' is your power company check here:
http://focusonenergy.com/residential/lighting/cfls.aspx
Post by Kaelle
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
I had a cfl burn out on me in weeks- there are a couple of reasons
1. Bad product run - try another package or brand
2. bad luck - chances are slim
3. Wrong wattage for the outlet - try a lower or higher one
4. Some outlets are older and don't work with CFL's
Sometimes you just have to go with a regular lightbulb, however, you may want to try a lower watt one - drop from 100 to 60 to save money.
Post by FFL
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
They last longer when used for longer stretches of time, such as reading or lighting rooms. They blow faster when used for short periods of time such as in closets and pantries. I think they were designed that way.
Post By Linda B, GA (Guest Post)
RE: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Burning Out
3 bulbs in 3 months? Your fixture is improperly grounded.
Post By Dan (Guest Post)
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