Compact fluorescent lamp

[gshase]

Just picked up a 4 pack of cfl 23 watt rated at 100 watt output at HD. Within 1 hour the first one smoked, 30 seconds later #2 went dark and 15 minutes #3 died. Can someone tell me how much ENERGY I saved today, And am I Green? I did return them.

[masraum]

HAHAHAHA!

Good stuff, made in China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Mexico, etc.... no doubt.

Honestly, I've had very good luck with the ones that I've purchased from HD. I usually avoid the ones that are REALLY cheap and/or no-name though.

I've got an LED flood light in a recessed in my kitchen. It seems to be working well, but there is a short delay before the light comes on compared to the other 2 in the kitchen. We have 1 halogen, 1 CFL and 1 LED. The halogen and LEDs both put out great light. The CFL warm up period sucks, but the energy usage is good. The LED delay and $$$ are the only downsides. I can deal with the delay.

[slodave]

Bummer. I have been using them for years with good luck. One is even in a light with a rheostat and the cfl isn't designed for it.

[sc_rufctr]

I've tried a few different brands but the Phillips ones seem to last the longest.

I like them but there ae too many choices today. Warm light, cold light etc... Back in the days of tungsten you only worried about wattage, clear or frosted.

[MysticLlama]

Originally Posted by masraum

I've got an LED flood light in a recessed in my kitchen. It seems to be working well, but there is a short delay before the light comes on compared to the other 2 in the kitchen. We have 1 halogen, 1 CFL and 1 LED. The halogen and LEDs both put out great light. The CFL warm up period sucks, but the energy usage is good. The LED delay and $$$ are the only downsides. I can deal with the delay.

For the recessed light, try the EcoSmart conversion kit that HD sells. It's a CREE rebrand.

It completely replaces the bezel and has a diffuser and uses different colors of LEDs behind it for great color rendering.

It also starts instantly compared to the screw in ones, so it must have a quick start capacitor or something. Best LED I've seen yet. In several states they are $25, still $40 here in WA, so I'm holding out past my first test one for a bit.

We'll be past CFLs in no time I hope.

[Rick V]

I found that you have to read the packages very closely. Some CFL's you can't use sideways, some you can't put in non vented enclosures.

[rick-l]

I just bught a pack of 8 and the first two out of the pack take about 3 seconds to start. Is that normal for some of them?

[Flieger]

they should be noticably "on" (if it is reasonably dark) instantly, but yes, they take about maybe 5-7 seconds to reach full brightness. But they run cooler and longer. I have had the same bulb for 4 years in my lamp in my little college room. I like the color and diffuse quality of the light. One up light on the table is enough for the whole room.

[island911]

Originally Posted by Flieger

they should be noticably "on" (if it is reasonably dark) instantly, but yes, they take about maybe 5-7 seconds to reach full brightness. .

Time to full brightness is a function of temperature. That is, unlike thou-Oaks CA, some places are c'c'c'cold much of the year, and the CF's are s's's'slow to full bright.

CF's deserve a Rube Goldberg award.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by gshase

Just picked up a 4 pack of cfl 23 watt rated at 100 watt output at HD. Within 1 hour the first one smoked, 30 seconds later #2 went dark and 15 minutes #3 died. Can someone tell me how much ENERGY I saved today, And am I Green? I did return them.

Please tell us the name of the manufacturer.

And then you'll be green.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by island911

Time to full brightness is a function of temperature. That is, unlike thou-Oaks CA, some places are c'c'c'cold much of the year, and the CF's are s's's'slow to full bright.

CF's deserve a Rube Goldberg award.

Well, I was talking indoor bulbs. I guess in a garage that would apply but in a house I don't think that it would be all that much colder.

[gshase]

HD carries them in 4pack blister pack. I saw cool light, bright light and day light. I had the day light. It was EcoSmart
23-Watt (100W) Soft White CFL Light Bulbs (4-Pack) (E)* . I just googled it.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by gshase

HD carries them in 4pack blister pack. I saw cool light, bright light and day light. I had the day light. It was EcoSmart
23-Watt (100W) Soft White CFL Light Bulbs (4-Pack) (E)* . I just goggled it.

You should take off the goggles.

[Heel n Toe]

Just ran across this in the comments section on a page where EcoSmart bulbs were being talked about:
___________________________
Brian D
Posted January 16, 2011 at 5:46 PM

Just this morning, a smoke alarm on the bedroom ceiling went off. It turned out to be an ‘Ecosmart’ CFL smoldering and burning at the base of the tube. It was black, smoking/smoldering, and HOT! The bulb was still working while the base burned. A few more minutes might have led to a fire.

I have a box full of Ecosmart CFL’s, all less then 1 year old that have failed. Most of them have a black haze inside the tube with evidence of high heat and ‘browning’ at the base where the tube meets the plastic case. Some are melted and deformed. Some, the heat was so intense, the bulb actually loosened up and started ‘leaning’ out of the plastic base.

These bulbs were purchased at Home Depot when they had a huge sale – a pack of 6 lights for $1.88. I bought two packs last year. EVERY SINGLE bulb blew out. In fact, the last one burned out 5 minutes before I found this blog and started writing this reply.

I recommend NOT using these CFL’s. The risk of fire is elevated, either due to cheap components or faulty manufacturing. I plan on writing to the company and filing a complaint.
===========================

Awesome, huh?

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Rick V

I found that you have to read the packages very closely. Some CFL's you can't use sideways, some you can't put in non vented enclosures.

Thank you for noticing that.

A risk of overheating(resulting in fire) doesn't sound like electrical-efficiency, which was the entire purpose of CFL.
It seems like we are getting a rash of "junk" bulbs these days.
Good luck recovering your money and time from the company after the house burns down. This has happened before, do an internet search.

Electrical efficiency can be defined as turning minimal amps into maximum candle power.

From an enviromental standpoint comparing to the "regular" incandescent light bulb:
-The direct replacement CFL's not only have toxic gases found in florescent bulbs, they also have the mercury/lead from the electronics.
-The theory is that a 5-10X lifespan will offset the toxic materials used.

[Flieger]

What are the toxic gasses? I thought it was just Neon or Argon that was ionized to a plasma by the voltage/arc being passed through it, emitting UV light, which is then turned to visible light by the phosporous coating on the inside of the bulb.

There is a little bit of Murcury for the light off phase (to get the plasma established) but bulb makers are continually working to reduce the amount of Hg needed.

They are more electrically efficient and also last much longer if you get a good one. I have not had one burn out. Only the long tubes in the garage which dim after many months (years?) of use.

[gshase]

What did I start? Here is HD's reviews 23-Watt (100W) Soft White CFL Light Bulbs (4-Pack) (E)*-ES5M8234 at The Home Depot I used one of these bulbs to replace another CFL that died. After 2-3 hours, the bulb started to flicker. Replaced it with a second one from the package. Same thing 2-3 hrs later. An incandestent bulb works fine.
Home Depot did make good on a refund and I bought another brand, same wattage. No problem after 12+ hours.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by gshase

Can someone tell me how much ENERGY I saved today, And am I Green? I did return them.

You are green....except for the two gallons of gasoline used while driving back to the store.

[jyl]

You got a bad batch, that's all. Not really a shocker.

[red-beard]

They sure do not last they way they are quoted to last.