So I went to the hardware store to buy a bulb for a blown out shower light fixture.
I see the curly ones that are listed as using way less energy but giving off the equivalent light as a 100 watt bulb. They cost about three times as much as a regular bulb but I figure because they will be hidden behind a light fixture I’ll give them a try.
The curly bulb was to replace a 75 watt bulb. So I screw it in, turn on the switch and the curly expensive light that is supposed to be equal to a 100 watt bulb gives off way less than the 75 watt regular bulb it replaced.
That’s what I get for buying into another green scam.
Good Morning Gloucester 
They do work but you need to really match the use with the lamp. Here is a link to a PDF file that can help in making CFL selections to replace incandescents. http://www.fmenergy.net/images/fleming-mason/SIMPLESAVINGS_CFL.pdf
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I found that when they first come on they are very low in light but they do get way brighter.
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Hear, hear!
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I absolutely agree with you. Those energy saving bulbs are useless~I recently replaced them in my outside light fixtures and now we can make it iinto the house without tripping over the stairs~ most of the time!
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Patience grasshopper. It takes a few minutes for the curly ones to brighten up. But the best thing to do is to skip over the CFL and go right to LED. Expensive but they will last for 30,000 hours or 20 years or some ungodly amount. That is compared to 1,000 hours for that lightbulb that Edison invented and you are pining for.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_lamp#Household_LED_lamps
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“CFL” bulbs, which is what you bought take a few seconds to come up to full light! The start out very dim but get brighter. Give it another try and leave it on for at least a minute. See if you still feel duped.
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Hear, hear! My favorite reading lamp in my living room has been converted to the evil CFL, but I have now come to enjoy the “slow burn” feel of turning it on and letting it warm up. LIKE AN OLD NEW ENGLAND FIREPLACE FIRE!
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P.T. Barnum would have had a hoot over the entire “green fraud” being forced upon us by those out save the world, or rule it I say. Try a curly cue light anywhere cold…and wait…and wait…and wait…
Oh, and as already pointed out, they cost more too. Scamarama!
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Oh, please
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This reminded me that I really needed to replace the POS CFL in the ceiling recessed lighting and I was going to try the new fangled LEDs. Wow, these are awesome. 25 years, only 9 watts and they are dimmable and instant on. $9.95 at Lowes. A really white light too. They look cool too. They have fins.
For each 10 buck lightbulb I am going to save 85 bucks on my electric bill. Gives me that green feeling which is cash.
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Yuss!
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SOMETIMES GREEN IS OVERKILL.
WHEN ALL PEOPLE CAN GET HEALTH AND DENTAL CARE..AND HOUSING…AND QUALITY MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT…THEN MAYBE GREEN WON’T SEEM SO MEAN.
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Odd they are so expensive. The ‘Goodwill’ Store here sells them for $1.00 apiece. I replaced all the house lights – interior and exterior with these light bulbs. They do turn on in low light – then brighten up to the advertised level. I’ve used them for a couple of years and do indeed notice a lower utility bill as a result.
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And, folks, we all have to get used to these new types of bulbs. Currently, there are only two companies in the US who are allowed to make and sell conventional incandescent bulbs – all others can only make versions of Compact Flourescent and/or LED based designs. Over time, those two incandescent manufacturers will have to bring production to a halt. Within a few years, you will not be able to buy a conventional light bulb in the US.
Tim/
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It takes a few seconds for them to get brite. especially if the room is cold.
I LIKE THEM. THAT’S ALL THAT COUNTS. 🙂
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Update:
Yes, in fact by the time my shower was done they got brighter.
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Cool white sucks. Try the ones that National Grid installs for free when you get an energy audit. They seriously repace all your lights and they are nice ones with the normal incandescenty-golden light.
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Some are instant on too… depends on the brand. There are a bunch of awful ones out there…
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We saw a story this week about some new bulbs that will be $50 a piece!
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