Anybody want to buy slightly used light bulbs cheap?

[Jersey Devil]

OK, so I figured I better do something before I get the next energy bill ($586 last month) so Saturday I went out and bought light bulbs, the compact fluorescents, and spent the weekend going up and down ladders changing light bulbs, about 23 of them in my house alone (I also did my office), reducing potential wattage from about 1,600 watts to a total of about 400 watts in the house alone. CFLs use about 25% of the energy as incandescent bulbs. They are way more expensive, but then again they last for years.

100 watt incandescent = 23 watt CFL
75 watt incandescent = 19 watt CFL
60 watt incandescent = 14 watt CFL

Then I pulled out the old thermostat for the central air and installed a new one with a 7 day program and settings for different times of the day - morning - day - evening - night, set the temps a little bit higher than I am used to. I got one with a lock code too so the kid can't override it every time he feels a little bit warm and turn it down to 68 degrees.

So now I have this big box full of slightly used incandescent light bulbs and am offering them to the highest bidder.

[wuushew]

1. do you have any dimmer switches?

If so you should keep them for that purpose.

[Jersey Devil]

9. Took most of the dimmers out

From what I have read CFLs and dimmers really don't mix unless you buy really expensive CFLs made for dimmers. Besides, aren't you using full wattage with a dimmer though the bulbs aren't fully lit?

[MindPilot]

16. I tried a dimmable CFL in my bedside lamp.

I didn't like the results. It is very difficult to keep the lamp lit at low light levels. Now that may be be due in part to the fact that the dimmer is a kit I built over 40 years ago, but I went back to an incandescent for that particular application.

the dimmable CFLs were not all that expensive, about $5 IIRC.

And no, the dimmer limits the voltage to the lamp so it is not running at full wattage when dimmed.

One edit: the ones I'm most impressed with are the "craft lights". They are a bit more expensive--around 10 or 12 bucks--but for lighting a work area or utility room they are great. Full brightness as fast as an incandescent and a hot white light equal to about 120 watts that really lets you see what you are doing.

[loveable liberal]

2. Please send them to Michelle Bachmann

I'm pretty sure they are the only 'item' that provides her a good orgasm.

[katmondoo]

3. Fluorescences give me a headache

I hate them. I would rather have a candle or nothing, just live in the dark. Hurts my eyes too.

[emmadoggy]

17. I know a lot of people have problems with the standard fluorescents

but are you sure the CFLs would give you a headache? If I'm not mistaken, they don't have the same noise/flicker/whatever-it-is-that-causes-the-headaches. And most of the CFLs have a much softer light than standard fluorescents, as well.


:shrug: Might be worth checking into.

[MindPilot]

20. Try one of the new CFLs

They have improved markedly over the past couple years. The flicker rate is so high that the human eye can't perceive it and they are available in a range of different color temperatures, from a hot white to a cool yellow/orange. You can probably find something that doesn't mess with your head.

[madinmaryland]

4. How big is your house??

We keep the thermometer set at no lower than 75. As long as the humidity is low, then we're fine. We also converted all of the lights that get major usage to CFL.

:wow:

[Jersey Devil]

10. House about 2,400 ft, office 700 feet

2 separate AC units for the house and office. If I set the temps any higher than 74 I find that I get very uncomfortable and lower parts of the house start to smell stale, so I set them at 74 for day time and the office goes up to 80 overnight. The house goes to 76 for overnight.

[MindPilot]

5. You are only just getting around to doing that?

I've used a set-back thermostat for at least 20 years. It will likely pay for itself within the first month and you'll wonder why in the hell you didn't do it sooner.

Likely won't see such a dramatic savings with the CFLs, but if nothing else they are worth it just to not have to replace them as often.

Keep the incandescents--they may be valuable antiques someday! :D

[Jersey Devil]

11. I had a set back thermo, but it was old and malfunctioning

It wasn't keeping the right temperature and often didn't cycle the ac off when it reached its target. I don't know why I waited so long and am angry with myself for doing so.

[NightWatcher]

6. not too environmentally friendly, but 'tis fun to smash them in a dumpster

[babylonsister]

7. Any homeless shelters or food pantries around where you live?

They'd probably appreciate your excess.

[Jersey Devil]

14. good suggestion, thanks (nt)

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. I replaced all my bulbs 2 1/2 years ago, and stashed the standard

bulbs for 'just in case', intending to use them as temporary replacements if and when the CFLs failed. So far, they're still just sitting there in my utility closet.

[Jersey Devil]

12. That's what I hear

The standard bulbs need constant changing but a few friends who switched to CFL a few years ago told me they haven't changed a light bulb since.

[MindPilot]

15. I've just had my first CFL burn out after about five years. n/t

[whistle]

13. They are cheap enough brand new at the local stores, but good for you

[lonestarnot]

18. Save 'em for your next protest. Maybe it'll help?

:shrug:

[MindPilot]

21. Yes you can fill them with a "noxious substance" and

throw them at the Denver police. :evilgrin:

[exothermic]

19. Sell 'em on Ebay as "vacuum vessels"?

I'm only halfway kidding..........:shrug: :D