Today, I brought in a little present for one of my co-workers. Her light bill has been skyrocketing. I picked up 2 packs of compact flourescent bulbs as a little gift to see if maybe we could bring her light bill down a bit. I made the change well over a year ago and reduced my bill by about 15%.

Consequently, I have spent nearly all day extolling the virtues of compact flourescents to a bunch of people who had obviously never heard of them.

Why don't more people know about these things????

They are fantastic...unless you have a variable output lamp. Then, not so much.

Yes, they are... I don't save so much because I live alone, usually only burning one light at a time except for the office light which is always on. But this lady has a husband and 2 high school kids... the lights are on all the time. They should save big.

Yep, they're useless in 3 way lights.

Do the flourescent tubes provide the same savings? I am considering doing some remodelling in the kitchen, and my current plan is to rip out some flourescent lighting and replace it with track lighting. Not that the kitchen lights are on that much to make that big of a difference.

Same? Hmmm Hard to say. Flourescents are "generally" more energy efficient than incandescent. They are, however, more expensive to replace, but their expected service life is a lot longer.

When replacing lighting, keep in mind the quality of the light. You want you lighting to be warm and comfortable. Flourescents traditionally have a cold, clinical feel to them and not something I find condusive to making a warm, comfortable environment. But, I'm REALLY sensitive to lighting and illumination.

I really hate the overhead flourescent tubes commonly found in kitchens. Drive me nuts. But the compact flourescents that are designed to replace regular incandescents have a MUCH better quality of light than those tubes.

Yes, the newer flourescents are emit a much more palatable and comfortable light. Just be careful when planning and choose the newer bulbs with warmer light.

Why do I feel like I'm on HGTV?

:confused:

Why did I leave my bike out last winter for the back wheel to rust?

I need to go to the gym, but watching 24 when it's on is much more appealing.

I hear you. I was a little leery when I first heard of them, me of the popping tube in childhood kitchen experience. These don't seem as blue white as the old tubes.

Plus, every little bit I can wring out of my KW hours gets me just that much closer to going solar!