I use CFL bulbs and at night I have LED night lights to find my way to the bathroom. They have a timer and shut themselves off.
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65
What light bulbs are you usng at home?
Started by Hayden, Sep 16 2011 08:40 AM
energy saving light bulbs CFL Light Bulb
129 replies to this topic
#102
Posted 10 August 2012 - 01:16 AM
In our home we use two tubelights, 2 CFLs and 3 LED bulbs and 1 LED tubelight.
But our electricity bill was reduced dramatically when we switched to these energy efficient bulbs from incandescent bulbs of 100 Watts which used to heat the room and consumed high amount of electricity.
Apart from this we also uses energy efficient electrical appliances in our home.
But our electricity bill was reduced dramatically when we switched to these energy efficient bulbs from incandescent bulbs of 100 Watts which used to heat the room and consumed high amount of electricity.
Apart from this we also uses energy efficient electrical appliances in our home.
#103
Posted 04 September 2012 - 06:45 AM
I switched to CFLs a long time ago to save money on my monthly bill. At the time I wasn't all that interested in going green (a passive interest but I wasn't really doing much on that front). Now as the bulbs wear out (usually from flipping them off and on too much like in the bathrooms) I've been replacing them with LEDs.
#104
Posted 04 September 2012 - 07:17 AM
We have completely replaced all light bulbs with LED light bulbs for nearly a year now and it has saved us a good amount of money on electricity bills. It doesn't really seem like much when you look at it on a per month basis, but it really adds up if you count it annually. And I am happy with any savings even little ones because every bit counts not only financially but ecologically specially when you look at it on a global perspective, of which I mean when we look at all of the people who have changed over to greener light bulbs then cumulatively it probably has lessened our impact on this planet significantly.
#105
Posted 04 September 2012 - 08:35 AM
I am currently using Eco-smart light bulbs. I also had some type of NASA type of shield in my attic and garage so my house and garage stays cool all year round (including through-out the hot summer). I haven't had a brighter more cooler summer in years. I love going green for the earth.
#106
Posted 16 September 2012 - 06:32 PM
120916-2231 EDT
For approximately the same amount of light intensity CFLs will save considerable energy compared to incandescent bulbs.
Generally it is claimed that a CFL uses about 25% of the power of an equivalent incandescent. This is advertized on the CFL boxes. My experiments indicate a value more like 33%, but this is still a big saving.
These experiments were using
8.5" aluminum reflector "Clamp Light"s for the fixture,
GE FLE20HT3/2/SW/BX, 1200 Lumens, 2700 K, 120 V 20 W CFL, actual power after stabilization 19.9 W,
Phillips DuraMax Soft White 60 W, 830 Lumens, 120 V 60 W incandescent, actual power 61.5 W,
Phillips DuraMax Soft White 75 W, 1180 Lumens, 120 V 75 W incandescent, actual power 77.5 W.
Eyeball comparison with Hammermill Copy Plus 92 Brightness at 3' distance from rim of reflector,
GE light meter at 3' distance.
The 75 W bulb was noticeably brighter visually on the Hammermill paper.
The light meter readings were
75 W bulb read 77.5 W and 32 footcandles,
60 W bulb read 61.5 W and 27 footcandles,
20 W CFL read 19.9 W and 27 footcandles.
In an average year there are about 8766 hours, and an average year is about 365.24 days.
If you assume the life of a CFL is on average 1 year, then using my 33% figure the CFL requires 0.33 W of power for every replaced 1 W of incandescent lamps. Replacing a 60 W incandescent with a 20 W CFL saves 40 W. Over the assumed 1 year life of the bulb this is a saving of 8.766 * 40 = 351 kWh of energy. Equals $35.10 at $0.10 per kWh . My cost per kWh has increased a lot recently and is now approaching $0.16 per kWh, or a savings of $56.16 over the life of the bulb.
I have several CFLs that are on continuously and their life has been better than 2 to 3 years.
At today's prices CFLs are easily paid for by the energy saving. The GE tested above was probably in the $5 range, but most CFLs I have recently bought can be obtained more in the $1 range because of special offers.
I probably have somewhat over 15 CFLs, but I have in the range of 20 to 30 8' dual Slimline fixtures. The number of incandescents that I regularly use are probably in the range of 20 to 30, but not on for much time.
Incandescent lamps can be dimmed from 100% to 0% with adjustable sine wave, DC, or chopped phase shift excitation. All these dimming means can provide 0 to 100% voltage change, but some commercial dimmer products are more limited in range, in particular home dimmers. Thus, dimming capability is a combination of the characteristics of the device being dimmed, and the dimmer.
In my opinion CFLs are not successfully dimmed because they can not be dimmed sufficiently.
A standard CFL is slightly dimmable with an adjustable sine wave obtained from a Variac. But not dimmable with a phase shift type dimmer (home dimmers).
A so called dimmable CFL is virtually undimmable with an adjustable sine wave. It has relatively constant output intensity down to about 100 V, then quits. But this is a useful characteristic if you do not want the bulb for dimming purposes, but use it as a constant intensity light to avoid or reduce light flicker when motors or other large loads turn on causing a supply voltage drop.
The dimmable CFLs work to some extent with phase shift type dimmers (the type you usually see in a home), but the dimming range is quite limited compared to an incandescent.
On my website page http://www.beta-a2.com/EE-photos.html I have a number of graphs and photos that relate the characteristics of incandescent and CFL bulbs. Also some on my energy consumption. This is a long vertically scrolled page.
The following photos or plots relate to this subject:
P9 thru P19, and P26 thru P30.
P28 is interesting because it shows the large variation in overall power consumption thru a day and from day to day. Unless you make very large changes in your power consumption by changing a device it is hard to evaluate the effect resulting from daily comparisons of kWh use. I can have a 25% change from one day to the next in total energy used. Typically I do not generally fall below about 30 kWh per day or go much above 40 kWh. My neighbor has a living room and kitchen area where there are about 20 can lights in the ceiling. He had 100 W bulbs in each and by switching to CFLs he had a very noticeable change in his electric bill.
One of the big problems with CFLs is heat. A CFL in a confined space will likely have a much shorter life than one in open free space. My CFLs that have had good life are in open sockets, good air flow.
The best means to reduce your energy consumption is to turn loads off when not needed.
.
For approximately the same amount of light intensity CFLs will save considerable energy compared to incandescent bulbs.
Generally it is claimed that a CFL uses about 25% of the power of an equivalent incandescent. This is advertized on the CFL boxes. My experiments indicate a value more like 33%, but this is still a big saving.
These experiments were using
8.5" aluminum reflector "Clamp Light"s for the fixture,
GE FLE20HT3/2/SW/BX, 1200 Lumens, 2700 K, 120 V 20 W CFL, actual power after stabilization 19.9 W,
Phillips DuraMax Soft White 60 W, 830 Lumens, 120 V 60 W incandescent, actual power 61.5 W,
Phillips DuraMax Soft White 75 W, 1180 Lumens, 120 V 75 W incandescent, actual power 77.5 W.
Eyeball comparison with Hammermill Copy Plus 92 Brightness at 3' distance from rim of reflector,
GE light meter at 3' distance.
The 75 W bulb was noticeably brighter visually on the Hammermill paper.
The light meter readings were
75 W bulb read 77.5 W and 32 footcandles,
60 W bulb read 61.5 W and 27 footcandles,
20 W CFL read 19.9 W and 27 footcandles.
In an average year there are about 8766 hours, and an average year is about 365.24 days.
If you assume the life of a CFL is on average 1 year, then using my 33% figure the CFL requires 0.33 W of power for every replaced 1 W of incandescent lamps. Replacing a 60 W incandescent with a 20 W CFL saves 40 W. Over the assumed 1 year life of the bulb this is a saving of 8.766 * 40 = 351 kWh of energy. Equals $35.10 at $0.10 per kWh . My cost per kWh has increased a lot recently and is now approaching $0.16 per kWh, or a savings of $56.16 over the life of the bulb.
I have several CFLs that are on continuously and their life has been better than 2 to 3 years.
At today's prices CFLs are easily paid for by the energy saving. The GE tested above was probably in the $5 range, but most CFLs I have recently bought can be obtained more in the $1 range because of special offers.
I probably have somewhat over 15 CFLs, but I have in the range of 20 to 30 8' dual Slimline fixtures. The number of incandescents that I regularly use are probably in the range of 20 to 30, but not on for much time.
Incandescent lamps can be dimmed from 100% to 0% with adjustable sine wave, DC, or chopped phase shift excitation. All these dimming means can provide 0 to 100% voltage change, but some commercial dimmer products are more limited in range, in particular home dimmers. Thus, dimming capability is a combination of the characteristics of the device being dimmed, and the dimmer.
In my opinion CFLs are not successfully dimmed because they can not be dimmed sufficiently.
A standard CFL is slightly dimmable with an adjustable sine wave obtained from a Variac. But not dimmable with a phase shift type dimmer (home dimmers).
A so called dimmable CFL is virtually undimmable with an adjustable sine wave. It has relatively constant output intensity down to about 100 V, then quits. But this is a useful characteristic if you do not want the bulb for dimming purposes, but use it as a constant intensity light to avoid or reduce light flicker when motors or other large loads turn on causing a supply voltage drop.
The dimmable CFLs work to some extent with phase shift type dimmers (the type you usually see in a home), but the dimming range is quite limited compared to an incandescent.
On my website page http://www.beta-a2.com/EE-photos.html I have a number of graphs and photos that relate the characteristics of incandescent and CFL bulbs. Also some on my energy consumption. This is a long vertically scrolled page.
The following photos or plots relate to this subject:
P9 thru P19, and P26 thru P30.
P28 is interesting because it shows the large variation in overall power consumption thru a day and from day to day. Unless you make very large changes in your power consumption by changing a device it is hard to evaluate the effect resulting from daily comparisons of kWh use. I can have a 25% change from one day to the next in total energy used. Typically I do not generally fall below about 30 kWh per day or go much above 40 kWh. My neighbor has a living room and kitchen area where there are about 20 can lights in the ceiling. He had 100 W bulbs in each and by switching to CFLs he had a very noticeable change in his electric bill.
One of the big problems with CFLs is heat. A CFL in a confined space will likely have a much shorter life than one in open free space. My CFLs that have had good life are in open sockets, good air flow.
The best means to reduce your energy consumption is to turn loads off when not needed.
.
#107
Posted 27 November 2012 - 05:48 AM
jasserEnv, on 21 September 2011 - 12:06 PM, said:
The use of CFLs also doesn't necessarily save you as much as many proponents promote especially in climates where some form of heating is required for part of the year. In these areas, the heat from the incandescent was heating the home in cooler months. You either pay directly or indirectly for the heating if you need to heat. Only if you have an air conditioner running much of the the time or need some level of cooling does the use of the CFL make complete sense.
In the future, we should move to LEDs to avoid the mercury problems associated with CFL bulbs and get even greater efficiency.
In the future, we should move to LEDs to avoid the mercury problems associated with CFL bulbs and get even greater efficiency.
#108
Posted 27 November 2012 - 03:17 PM
butlera555, on 27 November 2012 - 05:48 AM, said:
A while back I heard something about the new light bulbs being dangerous to you, if broken. If the new bulbs have mercury in them, how is that good for the environment?
Actually, you're reducing the mercury from coal-which is much higher by using cfl's or led's which draw less electric=less coal.
#110
Posted 04 December 2012 - 07:49 AM
butlera555, on 27 November 2012 - 05:48 AM, said:
A while back I heard something about the new light bulbs being dangerous to you, if broken. If the new bulbs have mercury in them, how is that good for the environment?
As said above they do reduce overall mercury from coal burning with the energy they save. I look at CFLs as I look at Hybrid cars. They are stepping stone technologies. They are both far from perfect and have flaws (even environmental flaws) but they are a step in the right direction. I think in 10 years we'll look at Hybrid drivers like we look at Hummer drivers now.
#111
Posted 17 December 2012 - 11:56 AM
i got a mix of cfl, incan., and halogen.
had one CFL break and tried doing the "recommended" clean up for that. Holy pain in the kiester, batman!!
That was enough for me to re-evaluate using them. Fortunately, i haven't needed to do any replacements since but am hoping LED's come down in price as I'm not so much a CFL fan anymore..
had one CFL break and tried doing the "recommended" clean up for that. Holy pain in the kiester, batman!!
That was enough for me to re-evaluate using them. Fortunately, i haven't needed to do any replacements since but am hoping LED's come down in price as I'm not so much a CFL fan anymore..
#112
Posted 28 January 2013 - 02:32 AM
LEDs can save you 80% on your lighting costs compared with CFLs. They last about 10 times as long too! In fact, even halogens will not be able to meet the strict brightness per watt regulations that will be enforced in the near future. LEDs are the future :-)
#113
Posted 29 March 2013 - 01:25 PM
Text link via PBS-This Old House (cfl's-led's -halogen are discussed)
http://www.thisoldho...0162357,00.html
And video. (The LED section shows after they install that heat pump) Worth the wait.
http://video.pbs.org/video/2337410151
http://www.thisoldho...0162357,00.html
And video. (The LED section shows after they install that heat pump) Worth the wait.
http://video.pbs.org/video/2337410151
#114
Posted 24 April 2013 - 09:08 AM
got my first led bulb. looks like it's going to take some getting used to. I got a "warm" tone one but every time i use it, the room looks like it has a smoky haze in it. I think i prefer the light output/color/tone from the cfl better, though.
ohwell, it provides light so that's good :)
ohwell, it provides light so that's good :)
#115
Posted 24 April 2013 - 04:46 PM
imgoingeco, on 24 April 2013 - 09:08 AM, said:
got my first led bulb. looks like it's going to take some getting used to. I got a "warm" tone one but every time i use it, the room looks like it has a smoky haze in it. I think i prefer the light output/color/tone from the cfl better, though.
ohwell, it provides light so that's good :)
ohwell, it provides light so that's good :)
Yes they can take some getting used to--I've got one I use on a night stand that's more of a secondary light for the main room light than a stand-alone one. LED bulb prices do seem to be falling so that's encouraging.
#116
Posted 24 April 2013 - 04:57 PM
We've been testing different brands and types of LED and other than the price we simply haven't seen any negatives compared to CFL or incandescent. I stay away from the blue lights but really like how the soft white lights look in our living / dining areas (canned lights). The instant on is so nice. I have LED and CFL mixed in both areas and can tell the difference if I really try, but other than that it's a wash.
#119
Posted 25 April 2013 - 05:42 AM
Shortpoet-GTD, on 25 April 2013 - 03:34 AM, said:
I know, right?
I've had mine for years.
I've had mine for years.
We have had one permanently on in the upstairs landing - there's no natural light - in case someone trips over the cats on the way to the loo...
#120
Posted 25 April 2013 - 02:05 PM
Besoeker, on 25 April 2013 - 05:42 AM, said:
Quite so.
We have had one permanently on in the upstairs landing - there's no natural light - in case someone trips over the cats on the way to the loo...
We have had one permanently on in the upstairs landing - there's no natural light - in case someone trips over the cats on the way to the loo...
After that, they get out of your way cause they don't want the ouch.
A friend of mine loves his dark green shower curtain; problem being, he has no light in the shower.
I found a battery operated, led light he has stuck on the wall. It's self enclosed, so no worry about it shorting
out from the water, and with the self sticking tape, it can be placed anywhere.
And it gives off more light than those round stick on types they advertise.
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