LEDs not ready for prime-time, CFLs still Clark's favorite light on clarkhoward.com

For several years, Clark has been explaining how his beloved CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) are really just a transitional technology until we get to LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

The consumer champ being the pioneer he is, he's already been toying around with LEDs around the house. In fact, he recently installed an LED about his elliptical glider.

Turns out the light is so poor, he can't even read a newspaper while he works out!

Obviously, LEDs are not ready for prime-time just yet, but they promise to deliver great light down the road at a cost to operate that's even cheaper than CFLs. And they won't have any of the mercury disposal issues that come with CFLs. (Home Depot will actually recycle your CFLs for free no matter where you bought them.)

The traditional incandescent bulb is likely to be extinct in about 2 years, thanks to new energy-efficiency requirements for lights. Yet The New York Times recently reported that 80% of Americans have no idea about the phase-out.

So Clark's message is hang tight on the LEDs and continue to go with the CFLs at this point. Each CFL will save you about $60 or $70 over the life of the bulb.

Meanwhile, Clark will be removing the LED above his elliptical and replacing it with a CFL so he can get back to reading!

What others are saying

CFL User
I bought a 6 pack of CFL's from I believe walmart back in 2004 for 7 bucks (a super sale for the time). I still have the same 6 bulbs more than 5 years later. Every time I have moved to a new apartment, i take all the existing bulbs out and place them in a drawer, and put in my CFL's. When I move out, I put their bulbs back and take my CFL's with me. I've found the ones that are designed for decorative fixtures do not work as well or as long, but the coil looking ones have been great to me so far.
By Ben @ 10/19/09 02:49:48 PMreport abuse
CFL Failure
I have had at least 3 CFL's fail with less than a year (100hrs) of use. I heard one "snap" when I turned it on and it neverworked again. (3 X $5)
By David @ 10/16/09 10:50:21 PMreport abuse
CFLs
CFLs aren't more economical if they cause you to replace your light fixture and scorch your ceiling tiles.

While I was visiting my parents, they had a bulb that failed while we were gone. It filled the home with smoke, scorched ceiling tiles, and left scorch marks on the insulation in the light fixture.
By S @ 09/02/09 08:33:50 AMreport abuse
CFL's brighten up my house
I get the winter blues, and cfl's brightened up my house. Most of my lamps are hand me downs, and I can't put more than a 60 watt bulb in them. So I get the 100 watt equivalent, which is about 26 watts. Now my house is well lit, and my electrical bill in spring or fall is really low. That's the time of year when I don't run the AC, so I can see what it costs without it. I started doing this 5 years ago, and I've only replaced one CFL, after I stepped on it. The others are all still burning.

I also told my relative who owns an apartment complex about them. She pays her handyman to climb up and replace the high ceiling lights in the common areas. They burn out a few every month. CFL's will last 5 years, so she won't have to replace them. Her tenants also steal the lights over the doorways when their interior lightbulbs burn out, so if she switches to 5 year CFL's, again she doesn't have to pay the handyman to replace them. Plus, they only cost 10% on your electric bill. She doesn't care about green, or the environment. She cares about the cost. This really got her attention.
By Alice @ 07/16/09 06:45:36 AMreport abuse
CFL Cheaper? Not for me
I replaced all of my bulbs with CFLs a few years ago hoping to cut my bill. I have seen absolutely no change in my monthly electric bill and have added nothing new to the household.
By Mark @ 07/14/09 01:52:43 PMreport abuse
CFL's are worth the $$
I've been using these bulbs for years. I started out with the round ones and progressed to the spirals. I only have CFL's in my house except for fixtures that can't use them. I've been a champion of these bulbs for years!
By Rene @ 07/13/09 09:37:25 PMreport abuse
light
YEAaaaaaaaaa Home Depot!
By silvi @ 07/02/09 05:59:25 PMreport abuse
CFL's Burnout!
I have been using the CFL's fro over 10 years... They are hit and miss... some last a year or 2 but most go within a year. THESE ARE NOT ON DIMMERS!!! Out doors they work best. Touch lamps burn them out in days. We need nationwide standards clearly displayed on the boxes for the type of lamp they will work in.
By Jim in Ohio @ 07/01/09 09:07:12 PMreport abuse
Avoid Dollar Store & Schlock House CFL's
I just wasted my money on a 26 watt CFL sold in former 'dollar store' for $1.99. It claimed to be the equivalent of a 125 watt bulb, but was more the equivalent of a 40 watt bulb. I bought a second sample from a different batch in a different store of this Trisonic bulb, with nearly identical low light output. This bulb also did not list the output in lumens on the packaging. There are a number of these junk brands of CFL's being sold that are consumer frauds.
By David_NYC @ 06/30/09 04:30:40 PMreport abuse
CFL's
Will never buy them again. They do not last like they said. I bought 16 over half burnt out in less than a year. Its all a lie just to make money
By Julie Beckham @ 06/21/09 04:24:57 PMreport abuse
LED Loights
I am using four LED floodlights in my house. One is use as a night light with it being on a timer and in the living room, another in the bathroom and it provide plenty of light, another in the ceiling light/fan which work good, another in the wash room. I also have two battery power motion activated LED that I use at night in the Kitchen and Bathroom. No need for a bright light in the middle of the night.
By Mike Eastman @ 06/19/09 12:49:42 AMreport abuse
The phasing out of incandescent bulbs...
The phasing out of incandescent bulbs is a bad idea. Some people like Anne (below) have serious reactions to the light output. I am pretty sure anyone with lupus is advised to avoid florescent lights of any kind.

There are still going to be uses (including ovens, also mentioned below) that need plain old fashioned lights instead of the new types... Banning the old style lights is not the answer.
By Tom Servo @ 06/17/09 10:02:48 AMreport abuse
Led vs CFL
Yes, I've used the CFLs for many years, After seeing Clark on TV talk about LEDs I found a 3pack at Sams for $!8.00 Iwas shocked, but decided try them. I could barely tell they were on. i mentioned this to my daughter who is studying solar energy & she wanted to check one out. She thinks it's cute & for the cost she can use it as a nite light. Well she can have them all, but it was a waste of money.
By Terri Gilreath @ 06/16/09 02:28:25 PMreport abuse
LED vs CFL
fluorescent lighting triggers my seizures...I am reluctant to try any of these. suggestions?
By Anne @ 06/16/09 09:57:52 AMreport abuse
Oven bulbs
Has anyone seen CFL bulbs that can be used in ovens yet? Since all the CFL's I've seen use plastic wouldn't they melt in an oven?
By Lee @ 06/16/09 09:53:24 AMreport abuse
CFL's
Don't believe all of the hype of CFL's lasting 5+ years. I bought 2-3 packs of CFL's meant to replace indoor floodlights in my kitchen. Within 4 months, 3 bulbs failed, within qne year, they all failed. Now I do have the standard type CFL's to fit in lamp sockets & whatnot & have found those to be much longer lasting, but still not as long as the mfg's would lead you to believe. My other gropes with CFL's are the warm up time to peak light & the fact that they have mercury in them. If we can have mercury in light bulbs, I want the mercury batteries they outlawed years ago brought back as they were much better batteries than what replaced them (I wear hearing aids)
By Scott @ 06/16/09 09:12:34 AMreport abuse
LED's
I have (3) 1.5 watt LED bulbs in the half bathroom of my house. They are pointed downward (the only way they every should be used), and provide a very pleasant, and BRIGHT light for the room. They come on instantly and cost next to nothing to run.

Clark, don't knock the lights unless you have used them properly. Don't get a warm light if you expect a 'sun' effect. Thanks, Biddles
By Sheriff Taylor @ 06/15/09 10:16:36 PMreport abuse
ee.o.c@hotmail.com
The Mercury is INSIDE the glass. It's only a problem if you break it, then simply air the room out. I am not advocating sniffing Mercury. We kids would soak pennies in it, gotten from house thermostats and we're still around. How about your dentist with filling amalgams (in YOUR MOUTH) and Mercury vapor? CFL's use 1/4 the power of filament bulbs. I have some Lights-of-America circular fluorescent lamps that have lasted 18 years!!! 99% of my house is fluorescent. CFL fail, call the manufacturer, they'll send you a new one.
By Such Whiners @ 06/15/09 09:56:19 PMreport abuse
CFL's - Dimmable and Non-Dimmable & LED's
I've read all the comments to this point and I can say everyone is correct.

We've bought them all - dimmable and non-dimmable CFL's and several different types of LED's. What we have found is that the non-dimmable CFL's seem to go forever. They do take a while to warm up but we've been using them for about 2 years and have yet to have one need to be replaced. The dimmable variety is another story - we've bought GE, Phillips, and another brand (can't recall at the moment) - all have burned out within one year. Quite a financial hit when you consider the cost of these bulbs. I can't say that I have any confidence that these dimmables are ready for public use yet.

Now we're into the LED's. The light color is not good for the ones we've bought which have mostly come from Costco or Sams but they are reliable and use an amazingly small amount of electricity. We're using all sizes - little ones that look like baby incandescent bulbs and floods and spots. I'll be glad when the light color warms up a bit on these - we'll use 'em forever.

I'd be interested in knowing the brand name and source of the expensive bulbs that some of the posters are so pleased with. I need bright light (think halogen) in the kitchen - so far, none of the bulbs have provided that intensity of light.
By Still waiting... @ 06/15/09 09:00:31 PMreport abuse
CFL
..I AM NOT CONVINCED THIS IS A MONEY SAVING RACKET...THERE SEEMS TO BE TOO MANY BUGS, AND YOU COULD DIE BEFORE YOU SAVE ANY CASH.....
By CONSUMER WARRIOR @ 06/15/09 08:13:51 PMreport abuse
LEDs
Nothing much surprising in the discussion so far. A few comments:

If you do not think LEDs are ready for prime time you simply have not seen the latest generation. Unfortunately you will see many LEDs from older generations of research being sold in bulbs today. The most recent LEDs from CREE and Nichia are really lightyears better. The newest generations are consistent, high quality, bright, and reliably very, very long lasting.

LEDs cost too much? No they do not. Everyone seems to only be able to do upfront cost accounting, instead of life of bulb accounting. The good LEDs are already cost competitive per life of bulb with good CFLs. When you factor in no mercury, much greater physical robustness than CFLs, huge reduction in frequency of replacement (really important in harder to get to fixtures - my lights will probably live almost the rest of my life), and better light quality - the decision is a no-brainer at least for the now available can light retrofits - good regular light bulb replacements soon to come (I haven't had a chance to test the latest LED replacements for regular bulbs).
By ledlights @ 06/15/09 04:51:52 PMreport abuse
CFL vs LED
I've worked with LED's for years in the film industry. For Spot lighting, not ready for prime time. But for area lighting, if you use enough of them, they are fine. My kitchen "mood" lighting and patio general lighting are lit by strings of them, hundreds of them, really, and all of them burning together use less than 20 watts. They are not expensive, you just need to shop around because the scammers trying to cash in on the green craze are over pricing.

Two very long-lived bulbs I wish I could get more of but they're out of production:

Made by Phillips, I think, it's an incandescent bulb that shuts itself off automatically after ten minutes. I have one in my entry way and it's 12 years old. Also, Phillips also made a warm light CF bulb, SL 18/27, 18 watts, nice soft light plenty bright to read by. Mine in my reading lamp is also 13 years old. Wish I could get more. Why do all the newer bulbs burn out so quickly? Is it planned obsolescence? Maybe. But I have noticed that CF bulbs in cooler areas tend to last longer than those in warmer, damper areas. That could explain the kitchen thing.
By Podunk @ 06/15/09 03:36:04 PMreport abuse
CFL's vs incandescent
Here are some comparison numbers.
A 60 watt incandescent bulb run for 3 hours a day for on month is appr. 5400 watts. In our area, the cost per 1000 watts is 14 cents. That comes out to 76 cents per month for an incandescent bulb.
A CFL bulb equiv. to a 60 watt incand. uses 13 watts (atleast the ones I have do). For 3 hours a day use, it costs 16 cents per month to run the CFL.
The differance is a 60 cents savings per month per bulb. At Lowe's you can buy a 4 pack of 60 watt CFL's for $1.87. With tax that's about 50 cents per bulb. That means that in less than a month you pay for the CFL bulb.
I have had several in my house for years and have never replaced one.
By Dave Wendt @ 06/15/09 03:29:12 PMreport abuse
Glad to see CFL's aren't here for the long haul
I, like just about everyone else here, get a little over a year with my CFL track lights in the kitchen.

It's hard to believe I'm saving anything when I'm paying five times the price of a regular bulb and replacing them twice as often.
By Gabe @ 06/15/09 03:03:17 PMreport abuse
CFLs v. incandescent
Aside from the dimmer switch problem, motion detecting light units for security purposes specify incandescent bulbs only. So not only are we threatened with the mercury content, but our security is to be compromised as well?? Government!! BAH!!
By Neal Gilchrist @ 06/15/09 02:37:46 PMreport abuse
CFL Bulbs
I installed 6 CFL bulbs in my home office about 8 years ago. One died at about 3 years and another after 5. The other 4 original bulbs are still going. Oh, and some DFL bulbs say on the package not to use with dimmer switches. Probably why some people's bulbs are burning out so soon.
By Les in Marietta, GA @ 06/15/09 02:14:24 PMreport abuse
CFL Lights
Sorry Clark, but the CFL lights DO NOT last as long as a traditional light bulb. I've changed over nearly every light bulb in my house in the last two years and nearly everyone of them have burned out already. They do not last the 3 to 7 years as advertised. I'm switching back to the traditional bulbs. The LED are way to expensive also.
By Shannon @ 06/15/09 01:47:10 PMreport abuse
CFLs
There are CFLs made to operate with dimmers. Unfortunately, they are more expensive and there aren't a lot of model and size choices. I have had good luck with CFLs lasting a long time, though one of the dimmer ones did not. I once read that the life of CFLs is mainly shortened by the frequency of turning thm on and off. Some I leave on 24/7 and they last "forever".
By Rod @ 06/15/09 12:58:34 PMreport abuse
The CFL Fraud
The consumer safety nazis have been trying to purge our homes of mercury for decades. Now many of the same are forcing CFL filled with mercury on us. In California, laptop computers, displays, and flat-screen TVs are even taxed extra because they are considered "hazardous waste" because they employ the same technology. And yet, the government is about to mandate the use of CFLs that contain even more mercury.

This is the kind of insanity you get when you let government pick the winners and losers.
By John the Econ @ 06/15/09 12:47:28 PMreport abuse
Smart Strip?
Someone mentioned using a 'Smart Strip' on computer, TV, etc. What is a Smart Strip?
By TER @ 06/15/09 12:42:02 PMreport abuse
CFL's
I have noticed some CFL's that I used did not last very long, but it was my own fault. I have 2 can lights on a dimmer switch and they make a funny buzzing sound if I use a CFL will only last about a month.
Also, they will not last long outside. Besides these 2 situations, I have yet to replace a CFL in the past 3 years.
By Alvin @ 06/15/09 12:32:22 PMreport abuse
CFL & LED
Clark - I second the comment on Cree LEDs. You should have tried one of their LR6s in you recessed fixture. It will produce plenty of reading high quality reading light (CRI = 92). Once again people are balking at the initial purchase price (which will come down), but if you do the math on these 50000 hr. bulbs they already are competitive with CFLs. CFLs will probably never get a CRI (color rendering index) of better than the low 80s. And even though they are better, they are inconsistent and the cheaper ones do not last nearly as long as advertised (see 2008 Consumer Reports study).
By Paul @ 06/15/09 12:08:34 AMreport abuse
Excellent LED Can lights (but expensive)
Clark stop picking on LED lights! There is a set of excellent can LED lights. They easily replace existing bulbs. The company was called LLF (but got bought out by CREE).

I liked idea of CFLs, but they gave me headaches and wife hated the lighting. So spent the money and paid $90 per bulb for all 6 cans in kitchen. These LEDs dim and look awesome. Best of all, I don't get migraines from the lights anymore.

Get the LR6 2700 warm white set. It is awesome spectrum of light (like daylight).
PS. I don't work or own any stock for any of these companys...just wanted to provide info to people.
By Steve @ 06/11/09 01:24:35 PMreport abuse
CFL
We moved into our house in 2001. The only CFL's in the house were the circular tube type installed in the kitchen and bathroom. We only just replaced both in the last 6 months. They lasted us 8 years! And even longer since I don't know when the previous owner installed them. Now i have mostly all florescents installed in the house and have noticed on the electric bills. Just compare your kwh on your electric bills with cfl's installed compared to when you had mostly incadescent bulbs. Big difference. Now if only more people would start using Smart strips with their computer/tv/video equipment..
By anonymous @ 06/09/09 11:35:20 PMreport abuse
Can't dim CFL's
I like CFL's from the energy savings perspective. However, I have dimmer switches on practically every light in my house. The problem is that the so-called dimmable CFL’s really only dim slightly (maybe 20% at best from maximum output) and then turn off completely. I find this unacceptable. So, I guess I need to stock up on incandescent bulbs until they fix this problem.
By delman @ 06/08/09 09:01:22 AMreport abuse
early burnout
I've used cfls before and I've had constant problems with them burning out. Not only that, but the light they give off is inhumane.

CCrane makes an expensive and supposedly near incandescent LED bulb. ccrane.com
By tried cfls @ 06/07/09 11:30:50 PMreport abuse
They keep going and going
I see a lot saying these bulbs don't last long, but I've had a much different experience. The bulbs in my home for the last 5 years are the bulbs I took from my rental home, from 2002, and I got those from my apartment I had in 2000, and all the mobile lamps I put CFL bulbs in moved with me from another state were bought in 1999. I haven't had one go out yet, I just move them along with me like furniture. Guess I'm just lucky.
By Burt @ 06/06/09 05:29:03 AMreport abuse
CFL's
We buy CFL's at Costco. They are burning out much more frequently than our incandescent bulbs. Plus, we keep the house pretty cool during the night, in the winter. The warm-up period is really prolonged when they are cold. Thanks for the reminder. I'll stock up on incandescents before the phase out.
By Jim @ 06/05/09 10:23:55 PMreport abuse
They do last vs they don't last. What's up with that?
I don't understand the debate: some people claiming they last a long time and other claiming just the opposite.

I have been using the CFLs for years. I have bought many different brands. I use them in every fixture except for a couple that will not except them.

I have replaced extremely few, even in applications where they are not recommended due to short cycling.

If I experienced short life, I definetly would not advocate their use.

Why are some "lucky" and some "unlucky"?
By Frank @ 06/05/09 08:18:00 PMreport abuse
I've been using CFL's for about 5 years and I'd so in the long run they have cost me more. The life expectancy on these bulbs is WAY overated so I've never recouped my investment. In particular, the CFL's that fit in the round housing and used over bathroom vanities fail after about a year.
By CFL's no bargain @ 06/05/09 02:56:58 PMreport abuse
Made in China
100% of CFL are made in China. Our Government has mandated that we buy all of our light bulbs from China :(
By Mitch @ 06/05/09 01:19:50 PMreport abuse
I like CFL's
I know this is completely anecdotal, but since no one else is posting numbers, reports, statistics...

I've got CFL's in every light socket in my house (over 20, at least) and only one, just ONE, has failed in the past two years. My only real complaint, is that it takes about a minute to get to full lighting power. That said, I'm happy with the energy savings and light color. They've come a long way!
By Medical Student @ 06/05/09 11:43:13 AMreport abuse
Health risk.
Unbelievable that CFLs arllowed to be sold, with the health risks when a bulb breaks inside the house. Most people are throwing away CFLs in the trash. The bulbs break and the mecury is released. Most people won't make a special trip to home depot just to throw away their bulb
By edrebber @ 06/05/09 10:53:37 AMreport abuse
CFL
CFL's would be great and save you all that money if they didn't fail so easily. Clark's numbers are a fantasy because the CFL's never last that long, even with proper treatment (no excessive turning on/off). I haven't had one last longer than a "old-time" bulb!
By Drew Ward @ 06/04/09 09:46:15 PMreport abuse
LED
I have put in an LED system with pendent and spots off of a track. They give plenty of light. Not cheap but, if you spring about $30 for a 3-5 watt light you will have good results.
By gordonr56 @ 06/04/09 04:18:18 PMreport abuse

CFL User

I bought a 6 pack of CFL's from I believe walmart back in 2004 for 7 bucks (a super sale for the time). I still have the same 6 bulbs more than 5 years later. Every time I have moved to a new apartment, i take all the existing bulbs out and place them in a drawer, and put in my CFL's. When I move out, I put their bulbs back and take my CFL's with me. I've found the ones that are designed for decorative fixtures do not work as well or as long, but the coil looking ones have been great to me so far.

By Ben @ 10/19/09 02:49:48 PMreport abuse

CFL Failure

I have had at least 3 CFL's fail with less than a year (100hrs) of use. I heard one "snap" when I turned it on and it neverworked again. (3 X $5)

By David @ 10/16/09 10:50:21 PMreport abuse

CFLs

CFLs aren't more economical if they cause you to replace your light fixture and scorch your ceiling tiles.

While I was visiting my parents, they had a bulb that failed while we were gone. It filled the home with smoke, scorched ceiling tiles, and left scorch marks on the insulation in the light fixture.

By S @ 09/02/09 08:33:50 AMreport abuse

CFL's brighten up my house

I get the winter blues, and cfl's brightened up my house. Most of my lamps are hand me downs, and I can't put more than a 60 watt bulb in them. So I get the 100 watt equivalent, which is about 26 watts. Now my house is well lit, and my electrical bill in spring or fall is really low. That's the time of year when I don't run the AC, so I can see what it costs without it. I started doing this 5 years ago, and I've only replaced one CFL, after I stepped on it. The others are all still burning.

I also told my relative who owns an apartment complex about them. She pays her handyman to climb up and replace the high ceiling lights in the common areas. They burn out a few every month. CFL's will last 5 years, so she won't have to replace them. Her tenants also steal the lights over the doorways when their interior lightbulbs burn out, so if she switches to 5 year CFL's, again she doesn't have to pay the handyman to replace them. Plus, they only cost 10% on your electric bill. She doesn't care about green, or the environment. She cares about the cost. This really got her attention.

By Alice @ 07/16/09 06:45:36 AMreport abuse

CFL Cheaper? Not for me

I replaced all of my bulbs with CFLs a few years ago hoping to cut my bill. I have seen absolutely no change in my monthly electric bill and have added nothing new to the household.

By Mark @ 07/14/09 01:52:43 PMreport abuse

CFL's are worth the $$

I've been using these bulbs for years. I started out with the round ones and progressed to the spirals. I only have CFL's in my house except for fixtures that can't use them. I've been a champion of these bulbs for years!

By Rene @ 07/13/09 09:37:25 PMreport abuse

light

YEAaaaaaaaaa Home Depot!

By silvi @ 07/02/09 05:59:25 PMreport abuse

CFL's Burnout!

I have been using the CFL's fro over 10 years... They are hit and miss... some last a year or 2 but most go within a year. THESE ARE NOT ON DIMMERS!!! Out doors they work best. Touch lamps burn them out in days. We need nationwide standards clearly displayed on the boxes for the type of lamp they will work in.

By Jim in Ohio @ 07/01/09 09:07:12 PMreport abuse

Avoid Dollar Store & Schlock House CFL's

I just wasted my money on a 26 watt CFL sold in former 'dollar store' for $1.99. It claimed to be the equivalent of a 125 watt bulb, but was more the equivalent of a 40 watt bulb. I bought a second sample from a different batch in a different store of this Trisonic bulb, with nearly identical low light output. This bulb also did not list the output in lumens on the packaging. There are a number of these junk brands of CFL's being sold that are consumer frauds.

By David_NYC @ 06/30/09 04:30:40 PMreport abuse

CFL's

Will never buy them again. They do not last like they said. I bought 16 over half burnt out in less than a year. Its all a lie just to make money

By Julie Beckham @ 06/21/09 04:24:57 PMreport abuse

LED Loights

I am using four LED floodlights in my house. One is use as a night light with it being on a timer and in the living room, another in the bathroom and it provide plenty of light, another in the ceiling light/fan which work good, another in the wash room. I also have two battery power motion activated LED that I use at night in the Kitchen and Bathroom. No need for a bright light in the middle of the night.

By Mike Eastman @ 06/19/09 12:49:42 AMreport abuse

The phasing out of incandescent bulbs...

The phasing out of incandescent bulbs is a bad idea. Some people like Anne (below) have serious reactions to the light output. I am pretty sure anyone with lupus is advised to avoid florescent lights of any kind.

There are still going to be uses (including ovens, also mentioned below) that need plain old fashioned lights instead of the new types... Banning the old style lights is not the answer.

By Tom Servo @ 06/17/09 10:02:48 AMreport abuse

Led vs CFL

Yes, I've used the CFLs for many years, After seeing Clark on TV talk about LEDs I found a 3pack at Sams for $!8.00 Iwas shocked, but decided try them. I could barely tell they were on. i mentioned this to my daughter who is studying solar energy & she wanted to check one out. She thinks it's cute & for the cost she can use it as a nite light. Well she can have them all, but it was a waste of money.

By Terri Gilreath @ 06/16/09 02:28:25 PMreport abuse

LED vs CFL

fluorescent lighting triggers my seizures...I am reluctant to try any of these. suggestions?

By Anne @ 06/16/09 09:57:52 AMreport abuse

Oven bulbs

Has anyone seen CFL bulbs that can be used in ovens yet? Since all the CFL's I've seen use plastic wouldn't they melt in an oven?

By Lee @ 06/16/09 09:53:24 AMreport abuse

Don't believe all of the hype of CFL's lasting 5+ years. I bought 2-3 packs of CFL's meant to replace indoor floodlights in my kitchen. Within 4 months, 3 bulbs failed, within qne year, they all failed. Now I do have the standard type CFL's to fit in lamp sockets & whatnot & have found those to be much longer lasting, but still not as long as the mfg's would lead you to believe. My other gropes with CFL's are the warm up time to peak light & the fact that they have mercury in them. If we can have mercury in light bulbs, I want the mercury batteries they outlawed years ago brought back as they were much better batteries than what replaced them (I wear hearing aids)

By Scott @ 06/16/09 09:12:34 AMreport abuse

LED's

I have (3) 1.5 watt LED bulbs in the half bathroom of my house. They are pointed downward (the only way they every should be used), and provide a very pleasant, and BRIGHT light for the room. They come on instantly and cost next to nothing to run.

Clark, don't knock the lights unless you have used them properly. Don't get a warm light if you expect a 'sun' effect. Thanks, Biddles

By Sheriff Taylor @ 06/15/09 10:16:36 PMreport abuse

ee.o.c@hotmail.com

The Mercury is INSIDE the glass. It's only a problem if you break it, then simply air the room out. I am not advocating sniffing Mercury. We kids would soak pennies in it, gotten from house thermostats and we're still around. How about your dentist with filling amalgams (in YOUR MOUTH) and Mercury vapor? CFL's use 1/4 the power of filament bulbs. I have some Lights-of-America circular fluorescent lamps that have lasted 18 years!!! 99% of my house is fluorescent. CFL fail, call the manufacturer, they'll send you a new one.

By Such Whiners @ 06/15/09 09:56:19 PMreport abuse

CFL's - Dimmable and Non-Dimmable & LED's

I've read all the comments to this point and I can say everyone is correct.

We've bought them all - dimmable and non-dimmable CFL's and several different types of LED's. What we have found is that the non-dimmable CFL's seem to go forever. They do take a while to warm up but we've been using them for about 2 years and have yet to have one need to be replaced. The dimmable variety is another story - we've bought GE, Phillips, and another brand (can't recall at the moment) - all have burned out within one year. Quite a financial hit when you consider the cost of these bulbs. I can't say that I have any confidence that these dimmables are ready for public use yet.

Now we're into the LED's. The light color is not good for the ones we've bought which have mostly come from Costco or Sams but they are reliable and use an amazingly small amount of electricity. We're using all sizes - little ones that look like baby incandescent bulbs and floods and spots. I'll be glad when the light color warms up a bit on these - we'll use 'em forever.

I'd be interested in knowing the brand name and source of the expensive bulbs that some of the posters are so pleased with. I need bright light (think halogen) in the kitchen - so far, none of the bulbs have provided that intensity of light.

By Still waiting... @ 06/15/09 09:00:31 PMreport abuse

CFL

..I AM NOT CONVINCED THIS IS A MONEY SAVING RACKET...THERE SEEMS TO BE TOO MANY BUGS, AND YOU COULD DIE BEFORE YOU SAVE ANY CASH.....

By CONSUMER WARRIOR @ 06/15/09 08:13:51 PMreport abuse

LEDs

Nothing much surprising in the discussion so far. A few comments:

If you do not think LEDs are ready for prime time you simply have not seen the latest generation. Unfortunately you will see many LEDs from older generations of research being sold in bulbs today. The most recent LEDs from CREE and Nichia are really lightyears better. The newest generations are consistent, high quality, bright, and reliably very, very long lasting.

LEDs cost too much? No they do not. Everyone seems to only be able to do upfront cost accounting, instead of life of bulb accounting. The good LEDs are already cost competitive per life of bulb with good CFLs. When you factor in no mercury, much greater physical robustness than CFLs, huge reduction in frequency of replacement (really important in harder to get to fixtures - my lights will probably live almost the rest of my life), and better light quality - the decision is a no-brainer at least for the now available can light retrofits - good regular light bulb replacements soon to come (I haven't had a chance to test the latest LED replacements for regular bulbs).

By ledlights @ 06/15/09 04:51:52 PMreport abuse

CFL vs LED

I've worked with LED's for years in the film industry. For Spot lighting, not ready for prime time. But for area lighting, if you use enough of them, they are fine. My kitchen "mood" lighting and patio general lighting are lit by strings of them, hundreds of them, really, and all of them burning together use less than 20 watts. They are not expensive, you just need to shop around because the scammers trying to cash in on the green craze are over pricing.

Two very long-lived bulbs I wish I could get more of but they're out of production:

Made by Phillips, I think, it's an incandescent bulb that shuts itself off automatically after ten minutes. I have one in my entry way and it's 12 years old. Also, Phillips also made a warm light CF bulb, SL 18/27, 18 watts, nice soft light plenty bright to read by. Mine in my reading lamp is also 13 years old. Wish I could get more. Why do all the newer bulbs burn out so quickly? Is it planned obsolescence? Maybe. But I have noticed that CF bulbs in cooler areas tend to last longer than those in warmer, damper areas. That could explain the kitchen thing.

By Podunk @ 06/15/09 03:36:04 PMreport abuse

CFL's vs incandescent

Here are some comparison numbers.
A 60 watt incandescent bulb run for 3 hours a day for on month is appr. 5400 watts. In our area, the cost per 1000 watts is 14 cents. That comes out to 76 cents per month for an incandescent bulb.
A CFL bulb equiv. to a 60 watt incand. uses 13 watts (atleast the ones I have do). For 3 hours a day use, it costs 16 cents per month to run the CFL.
The differance is a 60 cents savings per month per bulb. At Lowe's you can buy a 4 pack of 60 watt CFL's for $1.87. With tax that's about 50 cents per bulb. That means that in less than a month you pay for the CFL bulb.
I have had several in my house for years and have never replaced one.

By Dave Wendt @ 06/15/09 03:29:12 PMreport abuse

Glad to see CFL's aren't here for the long haul

I, like just about everyone else here, get a little over a year with my CFL track lights in the kitchen.

It's hard to believe I'm saving anything when I'm paying five times the price of a regular bulb and replacing them twice as often.

By Gabe @ 06/15/09 03:03:17 PMreport abuse

CFLs v. incandescent

Aside from the dimmer switch problem, motion detecting light units for security purposes specify incandescent bulbs only. So not only are we threatened with the mercury content, but our security is to be compromised as well?? Government!! BAH!!

By Neal Gilchrist @ 06/15/09 02:37:46 PMreport abuse

CFL Bulbs

I installed 6 CFL bulbs in my home office about 8 years ago. One died at about 3 years and another after 5. The other 4 original bulbs are still going. Oh, and some DFL bulbs say on the package not to use with dimmer switches. Probably why some people's bulbs are burning out so soon.

By Les in Marietta, GA @ 06/15/09 02:14:24 PMreport abuse

CFL Lights

Sorry Clark, but the CFL lights DO NOT last as long as a traditional light bulb. I've changed over nearly every light bulb in my house in the last two years and nearly everyone of them have burned out already. They do not last the 3 to 7 years as advertised. I'm switching back to the traditional bulbs. The LED are way to expensive also.

By Shannon @ 06/15/09 01:47:10 PMreport abuse

There are CFLs made to operate with dimmers. Unfortunately, they are more expensive and there aren't a lot of model and size choices. I have had good luck with CFLs lasting a long time, though one of the dimmer ones did not. I once read that the life of CFLs is mainly shortened by the frequency of turning thm on and off. Some I leave on 24/7 and they last "forever".

By Rod @ 06/15/09 12:58:34 PMreport abuse

The CFL Fraud

The consumer safety nazis have been trying to purge our homes of mercury for decades. Now many of the same are forcing CFL filled with mercury on us. In California, laptop computers, displays, and flat-screen TVs are even taxed extra because they are considered "hazardous waste" because they employ the same technology. And yet, the government is about to mandate the use of CFLs that contain even more mercury.

This is the kind of insanity you get when you let government pick the winners and losers.

By John the Econ @ 06/15/09 12:47:28 PMreport abuse

Smart Strip?

Someone mentioned using a 'Smart Strip' on computer, TV, etc. What is a Smart Strip?

By TER @ 06/15/09 12:42:02 PMreport abuse

I have noticed some CFL's that I used did not last very long, but it was my own fault. I have 2 can lights on a dimmer switch and they make a funny buzzing sound if I use a CFL will only last about a month.
Also, they will not last long outside. Besides these 2 situations, I have yet to replace a CFL in the past 3 years.

By Alvin @ 06/15/09 12:32:22 PMreport abuse

CFL & LED

Clark - I second the comment on Cree LEDs. You should have tried one of their LR6s in you recessed fixture. It will produce plenty of reading high quality reading light (CRI = 92). Once again people are balking at the initial purchase price (which will come down), but if you do the math on these 50000 hr. bulbs they already are competitive with CFLs. CFLs will probably never get a CRI (color rendering index) of better than the low 80s. And even though they are better, they are inconsistent and the cheaper ones do not last nearly as long as advertised (see 2008 Consumer Reports study).

By Paul @ 06/15/09 12:08:34 AMreport abuse

Excellent LED Can lights (but expensive)

Clark stop picking on LED lights! There is a set of excellent can LED lights. They easily replace existing bulbs. The company was called LLF (but got bought out by CREE).

I liked idea of CFLs, but they gave me headaches and wife hated the lighting. So spent the money and paid $90 per bulb for all 6 cans in kitchen. These LEDs dim and look awesome. Best of all, I don't get migraines from the lights anymore.

Get the LR6 2700 warm white set. It is awesome spectrum of light (like daylight).
PS. I don't work or own any stock for any of these companys...just wanted to provide info to people.

By Steve @ 06/11/09 01:24:35 PMreport abuse

We moved into our house in 2001. The only CFL's in the house were the circular tube type installed in the kitchen and bathroom. We only just replaced both in the last 6 months. They lasted us 8 years! And even longer since I don't know when the previous owner installed them. Now i have mostly all florescents installed in the house and have noticed on the electric bills. Just compare your kwh on your electric bills with cfl's installed compared to when you had mostly incadescent bulbs. Big difference. Now if only more people would start using Smart strips with their computer/tv/video equipment..

By anonymous @ 06/09/09 11:35:20 PMreport abuse

Can't dim CFL's

I like CFL's from the energy savings perspective. However, I have dimmer switches on practically every light in my house. The problem is that the so-called dimmable CFL’s really only dim slightly (maybe 20% at best from maximum output) and then turn off completely. I find this unacceptable. So, I guess I need to stock up on incandescent bulbs until they fix this problem.

By delman @ 06/08/09 09:01:22 AMreport abuse

early burnout

I've used cfls before and I've had constant problems with them burning out. Not only that, but the light they give off is inhumane.

CCrane makes an expensive and supposedly near incandescent LED bulb. ccrane.com

By tried cfls @ 06/07/09 11:30:50 PMreport abuse

They keep going and going

I see a lot saying these bulbs don't last long, but I've had a much different experience. The bulbs in my home for the last 5 years are the bulbs I took from my rental home, from 2002, and I got those from my apartment I had in 2000, and all the mobile lamps I put CFL bulbs in moved with me from another state were bought in 1999. I haven't had one go out yet, I just move them along with me like furniture. Guess I'm just lucky.

By Burt @ 06/06/09 05:29:03 AMreport abuse

We buy CFL's at Costco. They are burning out much more frequently than our incandescent bulbs. Plus, we keep the house pretty cool during the night, in the winter. The warm-up period is really prolonged when they are cold. Thanks for the reminder. I'll stock up on incandescents before the phase out.

By Jim @ 06/05/09 10:23:55 PMreport abuse

They do last vs they don't last. What's up with that?

I don't understand the debate: some people claiming they last a long time and other claiming just the opposite.

I have been using the CFLs for years. I have bought many different brands. I use them in every fixture except for a couple that will not except them.

I have replaced extremely few, even in applications where they are not recommended due to short cycling.

If I experienced short life, I definetly would not advocate their use.

Why are some "lucky" and some "unlucky"?

By Frank @ 06/05/09 08:18:00 PMreport abuse

I've been using CFL's for about 5 years and I'd so in the long run they have cost me more. The life expectancy on these bulbs is WAY overated so I've never recouped my investment. In particular, the CFL's that fit in the round housing and used over bathroom vanities fail after about a year.

By CFL's no bargain @ 06/05/09 02:56:58 PMreport abuse

Made in China

100% of CFL are made in China. Our Government has mandated that we buy all of our light bulbs from China :(

By Mitch @ 06/05/09 01:19:50 PMreport abuse

I like CFL's

I know this is completely anecdotal, but since no one else is posting numbers, reports, statistics...

I've got CFL's in every light socket in my house (over 20, at least) and only one, just ONE, has failed in the past two years. My only real complaint, is that it takes about a minute to get to full lighting power. That said, I'm happy with the energy savings and light color. They've come a long way!

By Medical Student @ 06/05/09 11:43:13 AMreport abuse

Health risk.

Unbelievable that CFLs arllowed to be sold, with the health risks when a bulb breaks inside the house. Most people are throwing away CFLs in the trash. The bulbs break and the mecury is released. Most people won't make a special trip to home depot just to throw away their bulb

By edrebber @ 06/05/09 10:53:37 AMreport abuse

CFL's would be great and save you all that money if they didn't fail so easily. Clark's numbers are a fantasy because the CFL's never last that long, even with proper treatment (no excessive turning on/off). I haven't had one last longer than a "old-time" bulb!

By Drew Ward @ 06/04/09 09:46:15 PMreport abuse

LED

I have put in an LED system with pendent and spots off of a track. They give plenty of light. Not cheap but, if you spring about $30 for a 3-5 watt light you will have good results.

By gordonr56 @ 06/04/09 04:18:18 PMreport abuse

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Jun 04, 2009 -- LEDs not ready for prime-time, CFLs still Clark's favorite light

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