Do CFL Light Bulbs Save Money?

[pennypinch]

I stumbled on an article that basically said CFL light bulbs aren't really any better than the traditional incandescent bulbs as far as saving energy and money goes.

As a matter of fact, I guess Steve Forbes of Forbes magazine endorsed a Republican's proposal to repeal the light buld efficiency standards that was signed into law in 2007 by president Bush.

This prohibition of the standard lightbulb is justified on the grounds that it will save energy. Well, if that were true, don't you think consumers would figure it out for themselves? The chief replacement is the compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs)--those things that look like frozen pasta. They will cost six to ten times the amount of the old bulbs, but Washington politicians assure us that consumers will ultimately save money because CFLs will last longer.
But they might not. Warns expert Myron Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute: "Cost savings are exaggerated. First, the [new] bulbs are tested under ideal conditions. Some household uses approximate these ideal conditions. Most do not. For example, if you turn a light on and off a lot, such as a bathroom light, you will save very little electricity because CFLs use a lot of electricity to start up. Second, CFLs tend not to last as long as advertised. Therefore, you end up replacing CFLs before they have achieved the savings needed to make up the [cost] difference [of the old-fashioned bulb]."

I started switching over to the CFL's about a year ago. I don't have all of them switched over yet but most of them. It has been my experience that they do last a LOT longer than the standard bulbs. A lot. I used to have to buy a box of bulbs every pay. It was ridiculous. Since I have switched I rarely have to buy them. I have not seen a savings on my electric bill though. And the CFL's are not as bright as the incandescents. A 60 watt incandescent is much brighter than a 60 watt CFL. So basically you have to buy a higher wattage CFL to get the same brightness that you like. In my opinion the CFL's are worth it though just for the length of time that they last. I probably have saved in that manner already. I buy them from Wal-mart. They carry them for .97 cents.

[dimetime]

I have honestly never seen a real difference with these light bulbs. I have heard people on both sides of this table. Some say they save a ton of money by switching to the CFL's. However I know several who say that they don't like the CFL's because they cost so much and don't last as long as they say they will.

I have both kinds of bulbs in fixtures at home. Seriously I don't see much of a difference in them.

[centsgirl]

I have tried them, but saw no real difference, I think they are not bright enough, when I put lights on it is so I can see, but with them I do not see as well. I like my old bulbs much better.

[moneysense]

The only advantage I have seen in using these bulbs is that they do last a lot longer than regular bulbs but I also have the problem with them not being bright enough.

Though in my living room I have lamps with 3 different settings for brightness on them and so these CFL bulbs are just fine for reading etc in there. Regular lamps with one setting though is just not bright enough.

And if you have a man that uses a trouble light often, these CFL bulbs are definitely not bright enough for use in them. Plus bulbs seem to get broken so easily in the trouble lights and we dont need the mercury or other chemicals exposed anywhere in our homes.