Recently, we've had two compact fluorescent lights (CFL) burnout in less than two years. This was surprising since the package claimed an 11 year life based on 3 hours of usage per day. The bulbs that burned out were probably used 20 times max a week for less than an hour each time. When I took the bulbs to a recycle, the bin was full. I doubt many of these bulbs were 11 years old.
Since CFL bulbs cost 5-10 times more that incandescent light bulbs, the faster than expected burnout will make CFLs much more expensive.
While I haven't investigated in detail, I suspect that fluorescent lights work best when left on for long periods of time, versus being turned off and on several times a day. The on/off cycling probably wears out the ballast, which is needed charge the gas.
So I have an experiment running in the master bedroom closets, where the lights are turned cycled several times a day and are not on from more than 15 minutes at a time. One closed has CFL light bulbs and the other one has incandescent light bulbs. If my hypothesis is right, the CFL light bulbs will be the first to burn out.
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This is not financial or lighting advice. Please consult a professional advisor.
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1 week ago
1 comment:
I found exactly the same but in our area sellers claim 8 year of life and they cost 4 times higher than normal lamp.
More over in the cold climate the savings are fictitious. Yes some of the electricity converted into heat - so what? You are doing it any way.
On a personal note I found the light generated by CFL less pleasant..
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