We're ALWAYS changing lightbulbs!?!?

[LilyWDW]

How long do they last and is there a warranty? I think when these companies put these claims on their packaging, there should be a warranty of some kind. Even 3/$17 is kind of pricey if they don't last a year. I'll have to try one pack and see how they work. So, what is the problem with the old lightbulbs? Is it that they can't be recycled or what? Maybe someone should work on how to recycle them instead of investing in all these new bulbs that are expensive and are not living up to their claims.

But how would they warranty that?

"These bulbs will last X amount of time and are under warranty as long as you follow these specifications..."

How would they be sure that they are being used correctly or that the home is wired correctly?

We use the new bulbs at our house just fine. My boyfriend has them burn out all the time (same time period as the old ones). It's not because the bulbs are bad, it's because of some sort of wiring issue.

 

[mrsklamc]

I didn't realize you could buy LEDs in traditional lightbulb form. We are Costco members and I would be willing to give a package at try at 3/$17....I think they would last. Plus in the course of researching this I found out that it's illegal in my state to put CFLs in the trash & I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with them.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

Won't you waste electricity if you leave the lights on all the time? Seems counterintuitive to me. Some of the ones that keep going out are in my bedroom and that light isn't turned on and off very much. The other ones are on the living room, and they are turned on and off more.

Sorry, I live in a high crime area. Not a good idea to leave the house completely dark at night. In the winter months, gas is expensive for heating and opening the windows to open the metal shutters for natural daylight would make the house cold, so we just use the light in the livingroom, since that is the room used during the day. It is low wattage. You get use to dimmer light after a while. Sort of like a candle light dinner.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

I didn't realize you could buy LEDs in traditional lightbulb form. We are Costco members and I would be willing to give a package at try at 3/$17....I think they would last. Plus in the course of researching this I found out that it's illegal in my state to put CFLs in the trash & I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with them.

Maybe places like Home Depot or Lowe's has a collection bin. You could ask them.

 

[C.Ann]

I just had another one go out this morning. I had two new ceiling fans put in last summer(2010) that suggest using the new kind of bulbs. I have had to change the bulbs in both fixtures 3-4 times since then. For us, they do not last longer and it bothers me that they have mercury in them as well. I saw a news report last week on how you have to be careful if one of them is dropped and shatters. They say not to use a broom or vacuum because the mercury dust will stick around. You are supposed to somehow "sweep" up the shards with cardboard and throw it all away. I think I am going to stock up on the old bulbs. They're cheaper, last just as long, and I don't have to worry about the mercury.

With my vision problems all of these newer bulbs just aren't sufficient for me.. The main kitchen/living area in my place at the lake is so brightly lit (with old bulbs) it's TOO bright for others (plus I have a 3-way lamp right next to my recliner that is on the entire time I'm sitting there - on the 150watt setting).. So needless to say, I too am stocking up on all the old light bulbs I can get my hands on.. (And the old ones last a long, long time for me - even though they are on all day from the second I get up until the second I go to bed at night..)

I can't help the fact that I feel like I'm in the dark all the time and I have to have such bright lighting (as well as contrast on the computer - which is why I type in bold all the time - and highlight responses in bold so I can read them).. On my most recent visit, the eye doctor diagnosed a rare form of night blindness that also runs into the daytime hours and there doesn't appear to be any way to correct it - so - I just have to adjust my lifestyle accordingly..

However, I don't know what the heck I'm going to do when I can't get the old light bulbs anymore..

 

[jessica52877]

This happens to us constantly. We have started marking the bulbs with a sharpie because we are changing them non stop and I am curious just how often I am changing them. I just want old bulbs back!

 

[C.Ann]

This happens to us constantly. We have started marking the bulbs with a sharpie because we are changing them non stop and I am curious just how often I am changing them. I just want old bulbs back!

Well I'm not the only one with vision problems who has found these "new and improved" type bulbs totally unacceptable and useless, so I guess we're just supposed to stumble around in the dark once we can't get the old bulbs anymore..

Even without vision problems, if they're burning out so quickly - and they're more costly to begin with - what's the point? Save on the electric bill, but spend it on 10 times as many bulbs that cost significantly more than the old bulbs.. That doesn't sound like a smart plan to me..

Maybe we should start a movement - "Save The Light Bulbs"..

 

[dfchelbay]

Can I ask what may be a really dumb question about the new bulbs. We replaced many lights in our home yesterday with these new bulbs. Is it normal that when you first turn on the light, it is more dim, then becomes its full brightness after about 30 seconds to a minute? They are all doing this that I put in yesterday. Thanks.

 

[C.Ann]

Can I ask what may be a really dumb question about the new bulbs. We replaced many lights in our home yesterday with these new bulbs. Is it normal that when you first turn on the light, it is more dim, then becomes its full brightness after about 30 seconds to a minute? They are all doing this that I put in yesterday. Thanks.

Yes it is.. They're fine..

But unfortunately for me, that's still not bright enough..

 

[Eeyore98]

I've never heard of it being an issue for them to be upside down.

We bought our CF bulbs at Costco (no idea what brand, it was forever ago). We had them in our basement, upside down, for at least 4 years with no burn-outs (just moved from that house a few months ago, so I don't know if they're still going).

 

[torinsmom]

The other problem I have is that fluorescent lights give me a headache.. Just another reason I am trying to avoid them. I may try the LED ones though just to see how they last.