The quest for a perfect CFL bulb

Still holding on to those conventional light bulbs? Thanks to the federal energy bill, energy-efficient light bulbs will soon be mandatory. The law: "Over a three-year period beginning in 2012, all new bulbs will have to use 25% to 30% less energy for the same light output as today’s typical incandescent bulbs," according to the New York Times.

I've touted energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights before, addressing some of the odd reasons people give for sticking to the conventional bulbs. Turns out that the top myth -- CFLs don't work as well as conventional lights -- is the sticking point for many. As the NYT notes, "To many people, giving up incandescent lighting means relinquishing some intangible, beloved quality associated with home in favor of a ghastly institutional glow."

The problem: CFL bulbs vary widely. Some look and work great. However, others take too long to light up, make buzzing noises, emit oddly hued light, and commit other light-related offenses. And that disparity is bringing out lots of CFL bulb rankings and reviews. Popular Mechanics did one, concluding that “the new fluorescent bulbs aren't just better for both your wallet and the environment, they produce better light," and providing a handy PDF of their bulb reviews here. Katharine Wroth of eco news site Grist put together her own light bulb evaluation; the Philips soft-white bulb won out.

Not to be outdone, the NY Times judged energy-efficient light bulbs with a panel of staff members, and compiled a chart of six bulbs they liked best (see left column on this page). The NYT staffers' comments about the bulbs themselves are a funny read; one person described the G.E. Energy Smart bulb as "fleshy but not sexy." How exactly does a light look fleshy?

Got your own energy-efficient bulb recommendation -- or know a dud bulb we should all avoid? Illuminate the rest of us.

Photo by Adam via Flickr

Comments

[Bob]

Have replaced almost all the bulbs in the house (36+) with CFL. Not the fridge light nor the microwave nor the dimmer track light in the living room.

The good-
Low cost (Xostco). You get used to the color pretty fast, the color changes as they burn in over a couple of weeks. Noise is not an issue, I think it goes bulb by bulb, not by brand although some brands may be noise free. It's new, lots of experiments going on. It will take a few more years to work out. Take your bad ones back so the Mfg. gets an idea of what doesn't work!

The Bad - Slow startup, the kitchen barely wakes me up in the morning (might be good, less shock, takes a minute or so to get to full brightness). On a non-dimming, motion sensor switch (kitchen), we lost 3 of 4 within a month). I think the delay off was too low and they switched on and off to fast as we walked in and out of the kitchen. I have reset the timing and we'll see.

Other - I have them in the non-dimming track lights, in my office, the sconces, and 14 recessed fixtures and I like them. We use the the 100 watt equivalent (23w) when we can (recessed fixtures), they seem to have a better color than the 60 watt equivalent.

Now, my 23 year old daughter who reacts to 60 hz fluorescent lights is going to visit this spring and I'll see if I have to change them all back for her stay.

[Jeremy Miles]

The reason we haven't replaced all our bulbs is because we have dimmer switches (and live in a rental, so can't really change them). Home Depot sells spotlight CFLs that work with dimmer switches, but they don't sell normal ones.

These reviews (as far as I saw) also don't mention which ones (if any of those reviewed - they all looked too cheap) work with dimmers. If I knew I could get some, and knew they'd be OK, I could replace the rest.

Incidentally, in the NYT article it says that Walmart only sells 20% CFLs. Well they should, because CFLs last several times longer, so the relative selling rate isn't relevant.

[Siel]

Hey Jeremy -- Dimmables are on the market, but I'm not sure what the dealio is with your landlord re: changing out the ones there....

Bob -- Hmmm.... I don't think these Costco ones are for me -- None of mine are THAT slow to warm up, and I don't think any gradually changed color (though maybe they did and I just didn't notice....). Thanks for sharing though -- Now I know what not to try :) They seem to work more or less for your needs though?