compact fluorescent light bulbs??

[kacaju]

Am I the only one having problems with these light blubs? I started to slowly replace them as a light bulb burnt out. I am now replacing them!! I thought they were supposed to last longer?? I swear I am replacing more and more light blubs then I ever was before.

 

[golfgal]

Am I the only one having problems with these light blubs? I started to slowly replace them as a light bulb burnt out. I am now replacing them!! I thought they were supposed to last longer?? I swear I am replacing more and more light blubs then I ever was before.

What fixtures are you using them in. I have found that they DON'T work well outside, you can't use them in anything with a dimmer switch either.

 

[elmo2wdw]

YES....met too! I thought I was going crazy but I have at least 5 of the stop working.

 

[woodkins]

It is so frustrating that they only dim with the standard dimmer switches, not the low voltage dimmers. Of course that is what we have all over our house.

 

[kacaju]

What fixtures are you using them in. I have found that they DON'T work well outside, you can't use them in anything with a dimmer switch either.

no dimmer switches, just regular lamps or light fixtures. I do have two spot light ones and realized as soon as it got cold out they take a long time to warm up. So now I make sure I turn the back light on early and just leave it on until we let the dogs out for their last run.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Me too!!! They seem to blow out fastest in my bathroom fixtures- the ones that get turned on and off most frequently. It's driving me crazy, because they are costing me more to replace than regular bulbs, but I am changing them just as often.

 

[taximomfor4]

I've bought different kinds from different places, and the problems are similar. 1 out of 10 or so doesn't work right out of the box. Others die within a month or 2. A few last longer, but none seem to last any longer than the bulbs I grew up with.

Funny, OP, that you brought this up today... I was tracking a funny smell all around my kitchen/dining room. Thought my fridge had finally pooped out on me. Nope, one of the stupid $$$$$ bulbs was half blackened (dying). Turned off that light, waited for it to cool, and took the bad bulb out. That stuff STINKS.

 

[bettymae1121]

We've replaced nearly all of ours a few years ago and all are going strong. We haven't need to replace a single one yet. I'm not sure why so many are having problems.

 

[Hoodie]

We actually went back to incandescents and this was one of the reasons. I pretty much detest them.

Now we're hoarding regular bulbs because they'll disappear next year!!

 

[Tinkermommy]

The one thing I don't like about them is disposing of them. Since they have a small amount of mercury you shouldn't throw them in the trash.

Our Home Depot will take them and dispose of them but Lowe's won't.

It just a hassle to keep them around until we go to Home Depot.

I am also concerned people don't know/don't care and throw them in the trash.

 

[kacaju]

The one thing I don't like about them is disposing of them. Since they have a small amount of mercury you shouldn't throw them in the trash.

Our Home Depot will take them and dispose of them but Lowe's won't.

It just a hassle to keep them around until we go to Home Depot.

I am also concerned people don't know/don't care and throw them in the trash.

seriously?? I had no idea!! I just read the box and sure enough...on the bottom of the box it does say they contain mercury and you should *manage in accordance with disposal laws*

If they are concerned, shouldn't it be on the front of the box..not the bottom?? Who reads a light blub box?? Not me

 

[golfgal]

no dimmer switches, just regular lamps or light fixtures. I do have two spot light ones and realized as soon as it got cold out they take a long time to warm up. So now I make sure I turn the back light on early and just leave it on until we let the dogs out for their last run.

We tried those in our spot lights and they lasted about a week. I put in regular 60 W incandescent bulbs in the spot lights about 2 years ago and they are still going strong .

 

[Tess]

Am I the only one having problems with these light blubs? I started to slowly replace them as a light bulb burnt out. I am now replacing them!! I thought they were supposed to last longer?? I swear I am replacing more and more light blubs then I ever was before.

That has been my experience as well. They have not lasted as long as my incandescent bulbs. These were name brand bulbs too, not an off or store brand. These little gems aren't cheap either. I went back to regular bulbs until I have to make the switch.

 

[Tess]

Funny, OP, that you brought this up today... I was tracking a funny smell all around my kitchen/dining room. Thought my fridge had finally pooped out on me. Nope, one of the stupid $$$$$ bulbs was half blackened (dying). Turned off that light, waited for it to cool, and took the bad bulb out. That stuff STINKS.

I had a bulb do that to me as well, but it was literally smoking. I thought it was going to start a fire. Thankfully I was home, smelled it, saw the smoke, and cut the power to the lamp. I really hate these bulbs. . . Let's not even get into how ugly they are in decorative fixtures or how difficult it is to find a decorative bulb, at least it is in my area.

 

[taylor3297]

I have not bought a single new bulb due to the mercury and because the humming sound drives me nuts! If you break one of those things you can't just vacuum the pieces up and you have to have the right stuff to clean the mercury up with. So, I guess I should start hoarding the old fashioned bulbs myself.

 

[kacaju]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? OH MY.... Read these instructions below on how you are supposed to *clean up* these blubs if they break!!
SERIOUSLY??
I have 3 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats (plus hubby) and I have to keep all of them out of a room for 15 minutes before cleaning up the mess?? Plus remember to turn off my heat or air..keep everyone out of the room!!
Come on...who the h*** thought these blubs were a good idea???
Oh yeah...and don't we all have a spare *canning jar* around to put the broken pieces into??
I will be off to the store later to get NORMAL light blubs!!!!



US EPA Clean-up and Disposal Recommendations
Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

•Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
•Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
•Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

•Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
•Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
•Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
•Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

•Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
•Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
•If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
•Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials

•If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
•You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
•If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

•Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
•Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
•Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

•The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
•Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

 

[daisax]

I've got a lot of old fixtures, so I'd have to replace them in order to use the new bulbs -- fortunately the regular 60 watts seem to last a long time in them, so I'll just stock up and hope the new ones are phased out for obvious safety issues or improved by the time I need to worry about it.

 

[mousebymarriage]

We've replaced nearly all of ours a few years ago and all are going strong. We haven't need to replace a single one yet. I'm not sure why so many are having problems.

I agree. We have had most of ours in place for 2 or 3 years and so far no problem.
The only thing that worries me is what the package says to do if one of them breaks (a pp mentioned all the steps). I always worry that one of the kids will knock over a lamp, not worried about the lamp breaking just the bulb.

 

[No.17CherryTreeLane]

seriously?? I had no idea!! I just read the box and sure enough...on the bottom of the box it does say they contain mercury and you should *manage in accordance with disposal laws*

If they are concerned, shouldn't it be on the front of the box..not the bottom?? Who reads a light blub box?? Not me

They are dangerous if they break. The safety recommendations are pretty severe:

"If you encounter a broken fluorescent bulb or tube, there are some steps you need to take. Open a window to provide ventilation for any mercury vapors. Everyone, including pets, should leave the room for at least 15 minutes. After waiting a sufficient amount of time use something disposable to sweep up glass fragments and powder: for example, some thin pieces of cardboard. Dump the debris into a plastic bag and seal it."

http://***************************/...s_for_energy_efficient_fluorescent.html?cat=6

I don't like them and will refuse to use them until the light bulb police show up at my door. Not only are they dangerous, but sometimes they make a little buzzing sound that drives me nuts. And The incandescent bulbs give off a much prettier light -- flourescent bulbs make my house look like an office.

 

[C.Ann]

We actually went back to incandescents and this was one of the reasons. I pretty much detest them.

Now we're hoarding regular bulbs because they'll disappear next year!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? OH MY.... Read these instructions below on how you are supposed to *clean up* these blubs if they break!!
SERIOUSLY??
I have 3 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats (plus hubby) and I have to keep all of them out of a room for 15 minutes before cleaning up the mess?? Plus remember to turn off my heat or air..keep everyone out of the room!!
Come on...who the h*** thought these blubs were a good idea???
Oh yeah...and don't we all have a spare *canning jar* around to put the broken pieces into??
I will be off to the store later to get NORMAL light blubs!!!!



US EPA Clean-up and Disposal Recommendations
Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

•Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
•Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
•Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

•Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
•Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
•Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
•Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

•Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
•Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
•If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
•Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials

•If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
•You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
•If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

•Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
•Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
•Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

•The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
•Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

They are dangerous if they break. The safety recommendations are pretty severe:

"If you encounter a broken fluorescent bulb or tube, there are some steps you need to take. Open a window to provide ventilation for any mercury vapors. Everyone, including pets, should leave the room for at least 15 minutes. After waiting a sufficient amount of time use something disposable to sweep up glass fragments and powder: for example, some thin pieces of cardboard. Dump the debris into a plastic bag and seal it."

http://***************************/...s_for_energy_efficient_fluorescent.html?cat=6

I don't like them and will refuse to use them until the light bulb police show up at my door. Not only are they dangerous, but sometimes they make a little buzzing sound that drives me nuts. And The incandescent bulbs give off a much prettier light -- flourescent bulbs make my house look like an office.

Another hoarder here.. And the actual lighting is horrible - especially for someone who needs very bright lights to begin with..

Thanks for this reminder.. I have to stock pile some more!!!