Previously to save electric costs, I use a programmable Insteon Dimmer Switch, which allowed me to turn a light on at a specific dim level. Hit it a second time, and it goes to full brightness. I put this in the bathroom, which used 10 60-Watt Globe Bulbs. Since the bathroom light was used often, this cut down on costs dramatically.
I was at Home Depot the other day, and saw their Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs on sale. A 10 pack for $8.97 (less than 90 cents per bulb). So I decided to them a try, at a total cost of about $78.
I recently changed out all the light bulbs in my house (about 75 of them) with CFL. These bulbs work quite well. Although there are many advantages to them, there are some disadvantages as well. They come in the “Soft White” (similar to incandescent light spectrum), “Bright White,” and “Day Light.” If you are used to the incadescent lights, it best to start with the “Soft White,” as the others can seem to be blinding.
I replaced all bulbs with 9-year, 14 Watt CFL, 900 Lumens, 10,000 hours (their equivalent light output from a 60 Watt incadescent). A typical incadescent 100 Watt bulb would have about 1400 Lumens and about 750 to 1500 hours. So, there is quite a difference, since half the bulbs I was replacing were 100 Watt incadescents. The visible light output appeared to be about the same.
Advantages:
* Energy savings of 77 percent to 86 percent in actual electricity usage
* Equivalent visibile light output
* Produce about 75 percent less heat and cut energy costs associated with home cooling
* Don’t have to get up on the ladder to change bulbs every other year
* Last about 6 to 13 times as long
Disadvantages:
* Slightly more expensive
* Not dimmable
* Contain Mercury (about 4 milligrams) …an average watch battery contains 5 times as much.
* Must be recycled; can not be disposed of in trash
So, now that I have them installed with an initial investment of $78, I expect to save at least $300 per year based on my average usage and current electric rate. I would say that it’s a pretty good return on investment!
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