GE announced a little while back that it was ending the production of CFL's. In Costco, I was purchasing a pack of LED dimmer safe bulbs. $10 for a pack of 4. A couple of item over, a 4-pack of CFL's was selling for $4.99, with an instant rebate of $4. So basically 4 for $.99! And I still passed.
Talk abouit the end of CFL light bulbs...
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I have hundreds of bulbs that I have to change out in my apartment buildings. The horrible part is I have to change the ballast in every one of them. That's the way it goes I guess
Originally Posted By: Rand
I dont mind CFL in enclosed long run lamps.
I prefer LED in short use lights where cfl never have time to fully brighten and outside/garage where cfl take forever to warm up.
Same. I have a living room lamp that stays on almost constantly and the CFL bulb in it lasts practically forever.
For the kitchen I switched to can type LED replacements and have loved the brightness along with the lower heat and wattage.
I still cringe a little when I have to briefly use the fluorescent lights in the laundry room just briefly. I know the constant flipping on and off can't be good for the ballasts.
I dont mind CFL in enclosed long run lamps.
I prefer LED in short use lights where cfl never have time to fully brighten and outside/garage where cfl take forever to warm up.
Same. I have a living room lamp that stays on almost constantly and the CFL bulb in it lasts practically forever.
For the kitchen I switched to can type LED replacements and have loved the brightness along with the lower heat and wattage.
I still cringe a little when I have to briefly use the fluorescent lights in the laundry room just briefly. I know the constant flipping on and off can't be good for the ballasts.
Never had a cfl last over one year. Ballast blows in them every time. I tried all brands, and I have had bad experiences with three different houses in two different states, so the power is not the problem.
Originally Posted By: bigt61
I never had a problem with CFLs - I wish they would continue to make them and just get them cheaper. Power usage from incandescent to CFL was big, from CFL to LED - not so much.
yeah I agree. but the smart led's are pretty cool! changing hue, color, and brightness from my phone is really neat.
I never had a problem with CFLs - I wish they would continue to make them and just get them cheaper. Power usage from incandescent to CFL was big, from CFL to LED - not so much.
yeah I agree. but the smart led's are pretty cool! changing hue, color, and brightness from my phone is really neat.
Originally Posted By: JustinH
Never had a cfl last over one year. Ballast blows in them every time. I tried all brands, and I have had bad experiences with three different houses in two different states, so the power is not the problem.
What was the use? I tried CFL's in the bathroom for a while and they didn't last long because they were turned on and off frequently and didn't stay on very long.
If you use them in places where they don't stay on for at least fifteen minutes at a time and have frequent on/off cycles they often don't even last as long as incandescent bulbs.
Never had a cfl last over one year. Ballast blows in them every time. I tried all brands, and I have had bad experiences with three different houses in two different states, so the power is not the problem.
What was the use? I tried CFL's in the bathroom for a while and they didn't last long because they were turned on and off frequently and didn't stay on very long.
If you use them in places where they don't stay on for at least fifteen minutes at a time and have frequent on/off cycles they often don't even last as long as incandescent bulbs.
CFL still uses mercury so I can see why they would be phased out. My public utility will exchange a customer's bad CFL for a new one so I haven't bought a CFL in years. I have bought a couple packages of LED bulbs at Costco
Cree has amazing customer service.
I had 24 of the older bulbs in use
I got a bad batch and the glass "bulbs" that were hot-glued to the base were falling off. 6 have failed so far due to insufficient glue.
They were in my kitchen light in an upside down arrangement.. they bombed off to the floor 1 at a time and I threw them out so I couldn't send them back for replacement.
After a couple emails.. and some pics they sent me a 6pack of the new cree bulbs for free.
The new bulbs "cree 4-flow"
Same lights with closeup for details (doesn't look like this to the eye because the brightness washes out the bulb like the previous image)
I personally liked the org. glass bulbs better and they had a good heat sink and great warranty... but these 4-flow models are ok.. definite cheapening of the product.
I had 24 of the older bulbs in use
I got a bad batch and the glass "bulbs" that were hot-glued to the base were falling off. 6 have failed so far due to insufficient glue.
They were in my kitchen light in an upside down arrangement.. they bombed off to the floor 1 at a time and I threw them out so I couldn't send them back for replacement.
After a couple emails.. and some pics they sent me a 6pack of the new cree bulbs for free.
The new bulbs "cree 4-flow"
Same lights with closeup for details (doesn't look like this to the eye because the brightness washes out the bulb like the previous image)
I personally liked the org. glass bulbs better and they had a good heat sink and great warranty... but these 4-flow models are ok.. definite cheapening of the product.
I have 6 equiv wattage (120) flood CFLs in my kitchen in recessed sockets. I do not see LED in that equiv wattage. Even approaching that equiv wattage they are very expensive.
Costco in my area has 4 packs of 60w equivalent dimmable LEDs for $2.99 after instant rebate. $0.75 per bulb is awesome!
JHZR2
Staff member
The thing with LED swooning is that they too have electronics in them. It's not like a halogen or incandescent which is just a fixed resistor.
Since most of the CFL failures seem to be electronics related, I suspect that LEDs will start to have the same issues in time, as electronics get cheapened. Just because the diode can last doesn't mean the other parts can.
I agree with others that CFL bulbs in long on time applications are fine. What I do like though is the 3000K led, which I think is a more optimal task light than the 2700K CFL and LED lights. That said, they're getting harder to find...
Since most of the CFL failures seem to be electronics related, I suspect that LEDs will start to have the same issues in time, as electronics get cheapened. Just because the diode can last doesn't mean the other parts can.
I agree with others that CFL bulbs in long on time applications are fine. What I do like though is the 3000K led, which I think is a more optimal task light than the 2700K CFL and LED lights. That said, they're getting harder to find...
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
The thing with LED swooning is that they too have electronics in them. It's not like a halogen or incandescent which is just a fixed resistor.
Since most of the CFL failures seem to be electronics related, I suspect that LEDs will start to have the same issues in time, as electronics get cheapened. Just because the diode can last doesn't mean the other parts can.
I agree with others that CFL bulbs in long on time applications are fine. What I do like though is the 3000K led, which I think is a more optimal task light than the 2700K CFL and LED lights. That said, they're getting harder to find...
Most of the big-name LEDs carry huge warranties (5+ years).
The thing with LED swooning is that they too have electronics in them. It's not like a halogen or incandescent which is just a fixed resistor.
Since most of the CFL failures seem to be electronics related, I suspect that LEDs will start to have the same issues in time, as electronics get cheapened. Just because the diode can last doesn't mean the other parts can.
I agree with others that CFL bulbs in long on time applications are fine. What I do like though is the 3000K led, which I think is a more optimal task light than the 2700K CFL and LED lights. That said, they're getting harder to find...
Most of the big-name LEDs carry huge warranties (5+ years).
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
The thing with LED swooning is that they too have electronics in them. It's not like a halogen or incandescent which is just a fixed resistor.
Since most of the CFL failures seem to be electronics related, I suspect that LEDs will start to have the same issues in time, as electronics get cheapened. Just because the diode can last doesn't mean the other parts can.
I agree with others that CFL bulbs in long on time applications are fine. What I do like though is the 3000K led, which I think is a more optimal task light than the 2700K CFL and LED lights. That said, they're getting harder to find...
Most of the big-name LEDs carry huge warranties (5+ years).
So do lots of the CFLs out there.
Doesn't change the hassle of a failure and invoking the warranty. I'll bet the number of folks who do that are minuscule. I know I haven't. You need packaging, receipts, etc. ime..
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
The thing with LED swooning is that they too have electronics in them. It's not like a halogen or incandescent which is just a fixed resistor.
Since most of the CFL failures seem to be electronics related, I suspect that LEDs will start to have the same issues in time, as electronics get cheapened. Just because the diode can last doesn't mean the other parts can.
I agree with others that CFL bulbs in long on time applications are fine. What I do like though is the 3000K led, which I think is a more optimal task light than the 2700K CFL and LED lights. That said, they're getting harder to find...
Most of the big-name LEDs carry huge warranties (5+ years).
So do lots of the CFLs out there.
Doesn't change the hassle of a failure and invoking the warranty. I'll bet the number of folks who do that are minuscule. I know I haven't. You need packaging, receipts, etc. ime..
Never was a fan of CFL bulbs. I just buy halogen bulbs. Uses a little less power but still has the classic incandescent look and unbeatable price! I like that LED bulbs are getting less ugly. Some of the earlier LED bulbs were repulsive looking, and these new ones that connect to wifi seem like a useless gimmick. Why does everything have to connect to my smartphone?
I am a convert. The new GE LED bright sticks have won me over. $10/3pack. Listed as 60watt equiv(using 10w), but just as bright as the 100watt equiv(23watt) CFL's they replaced. Their "dome" is plastic. When replacing the lights in the garage ceiling, accidentally dropped one (about 8 ft to concrete) still works like a charm. (Try that with a CFL)
The cree warranty went from 10years on the glass bulbs to 3 years 6 hours a day on the 4-flow
TW series is full 10 year any use.
Cree old bulbs I had
Quote:
USA Limited Warranty: Cree® LED Bulb Standard Warranty (All Cree LED Bulbs, except TW Series & 4FLOW™ Filament Design)
Limited Warranty: If this bulb does not operate for 10 years (based on 6 hours per day / 7 days per week of normal consumer use)
Cree 4 flow
Quote:
USA Limited Warranty: Connected Cree® LED Bulb with 4Flow™ Filament Design Warranty
Limited Warranty: If this bulb does not operate for 3 years (based on 6 hours per day / 7 days per week of normal consumer use)
Originally Posted By: Donald
I have 6 equiv wattage (120) flood CFLs in my kitchen in recessed sockets. I do not see LED in that equiv wattage. Even approaching that equiv wattage they are very expensive.
Since CFL are not directional you can have quite a bit of light loss as it reflects around.
LED's being directional can produce less light but be brighter theoretically.
Same thing with the replacement 4ft shop light tubes.
TW series is full 10 year any use.
Cree old bulbs I had
Quote:
USA Limited Warranty: Cree® LED Bulb Standard Warranty (All Cree LED Bulbs, except TW Series & 4FLOW™ Filament Design)
Limited Warranty: If this bulb does not operate for 10 years (based on 6 hours per day / 7 days per week of normal consumer use)
Cree 4 flow
Quote:
USA Limited Warranty: Connected Cree® LED Bulb with 4Flow™ Filament Design Warranty
Limited Warranty: If this bulb does not operate for 3 years (based on 6 hours per day / 7 days per week of normal consumer use)
Originally Posted By: Donald
I have 6 equiv wattage (120) flood CFLs in my kitchen in recessed sockets. I do not see LED in that equiv wattage. Even approaching that equiv wattage they are very expensive.
Since CFL are not directional you can have quite a bit of light loss as it reflects around.
LED's being directional can produce less light but be brighter theoretically.
Same thing with the replacement 4ft shop light tubes.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I agree with others that CFL bulbs in long on time applications are fine. What I do like though is the 3000K led, which I think is a more optimal task light than the 2700K CFL and LED lights. That said, they're getting harder to find...
I agree, but I prefer 3500k which to my eye appears to be
a very white appearance with just a touch of yellow, that color
temp is nearly impossible to find in typical LED lights especially if you want 11-13w bulbs.
I agree with others that CFL bulbs in long on time applications are fine. What I do like though is the 3000K led, which I think is a more optimal task light than the 2700K CFL and LED lights. That said, they're getting harder to find...
I agree, but I prefer 3500k which to my eye appears to be
a very white appearance with just a touch of yellow, that color
temp is nearly impossible to find in typical LED lights especially if you want 11-13w bulbs.
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