Re: [Phys-l] CFL's Read the fine print.

[Ian Collier <ian.collier@mac.com>]

That five years at 4 hours per day translates to about 7000 hours.

Seems pretty realistic for most of the bulbs in my home - as opposed to my workplace.

Most incandescent bulbs have lifetimes typically under 1000 hours. (Dramatically less if they are over volted for more efficient light output.)

Of course if you are in an environment where you pay someone actual money to change bulbs for you (ie almost any workplace) having to do that 5-7 times less often pays for CFLs all on its own.

--Ian

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Ian Collier                      ian.collier@mac.com

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On Friday, May 18, 2007, at 02:41PM, "William Maddox" <maddox@physics.Auburn.EDU> wrote:
> From: WC Maddox
>
> This may explain some of the variation in how long CFL bulbs last: On 
> a piece of cardboard where you would see it if looking at package in 
> store it states " LASTS 5 YEARS" in orange letters about 3/8" high. 
> On the back in black print about 1/8" high it states that the 5 years 
> is based on a average use of only 4 hours per day. You are also 
> warned in small print not to use it in an enclosure and that it is 
> guaranteed to start only down to 5 deg F.
>
> What's with the 50 cent CFL bulbs some have mentioned? Around here 
> they are closer to $5.00. I wonder how long a subsidy like this could last.
>
> Does anyone have experience with using halogen screw in bulbs for 
> home use? I wonder how they fit into question about cost, power use, 
> lifetime, brightness, & color.
>
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>
>
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>
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