We've tried switching to the energy saving light bulbs that are suppose to last up to 8 years. I have noticed that the full spectrum ones just grow dimmer over time. I also have ones that have gone out at what seems to be the same rate as normal bulbs. Anyone else tried these? They are so much more expensive and I'm not sure they really last longer!

we have had the same ones in for almost a year, and although I can attest that they seem to be dimmer than before (not much), they are still plenty bright and seem fine. Those are the ones in our living room, which are almost always on everyday. At the end of the year, I'm going to compare this year's electricity bills with last year's and see if they might have helped in the slightest. At least I feel better about using them than the incandescent.

When we switch to flourescent bulbs (twisty bulbs) we upgrade the wattage equivalent. For instance, if the light fixture is certified for a 60watt incandescent bulb, then we use a 100watt or higher equivalent flourescent bulb (which is still approx 26 watts). I find the light is a little easier on the eyes that way but still saving money. We also use a mix of bulbs to even out the quality of the light. For instance, if the fixture takes three light bulbs we'll put flourescent bulbs in two and an incandescent in one.

Flourescent bulbs do take a little while to warm up and brighten up when you first turn them on. At first they may seem dimmer.

I haven't noticed a different in how long the bulbs last. Unless I buy really cheap bulbs of any kind, most of my bulbs last a pretty long time.

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CFL's usualy do emit a higher amount of lumens then an equivalent incandescent. So if they do dim out, there still is a chance that they are still brighter then the old lightbulbs. You may have gotten faulty bulbs, who makes the ones you bought?

I have had the same problems! ugh. I bought mine not quite a year ago and I have had about 5 go out. I kept the packaging because GE has a guarantee on them. they will replace them if you send in a list of stuff w/the bulb. I don't want to do this because the cost of shipping! I bought mine at Sam's & I still have the reciept. I plan to take the ones that have blown out to them because they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I will let THEM deal with contacting GE (I hope anyway) So frustrating.

I don't know if I'll be buying these anymore. I believe the regular bulbs lasted LONGER than these & I haven't noticed a bit of difference in my bill.

We have purchased the ones from Wal-Mart (don't remember the brand) and have not had any go out on us. I find they are dim when we first turn them on and then they brighten right up. I have noticed the difference in our electric bill too.

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we also got the ones at walmart don't know the brand either and ours have been fine. i would not say i have noticed a huge change in my bill a slight one but not huge. i do however like that they have lasted over a year cause i never have extra light bulbs on hand.

The thing I like the most about these lightbulbs is the fact that they don't polute our environment like the regular bulbs do. You can get some of them that have the sunlight feature. I recomend these. They last longer and the light is easier on your eyes.

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Well, we got a bunch of these bulbs from the electric co here. I had them come out to do an energy audit of our house, just to see where we were losing the most energy ect. and the guy gave us 8 of those bulbs for free!! I was all excited, thinking first of all they were free, secondly I wouldn't have to buy any bulbs for 8-10 years. HA HA was I wrong. All but 3 are burnt out!!! And the electric co. guy was just here this past summer. so only what? 6-7 months they lasted. one of the 3 remaining bulbs is getting pretty dim too. who knows. I don't even know what brand they were being that the electric guy installed them. I just know I don't care for the bulbs.

We have had really good luck with the ones we have put in. They do seem to have dimmed, but I consider that a good thing--they were SOOOO bright when first installed! I have a four bulb "track-style" light fixture in my bathroom and only needed one bulb. Four would have been blinding overkill
There is one fixture in my kitchen that continually burns bulbs but I would guess it is the fixture since all of the other bulbs are still fine after about 18 months.


Rhonda