I changed all my standard light bulbs to CFLs quite some time ago. In fact, I moved 3 CFL bulbs with me from the Midwest to California! They are expensive! When I bought myself a new floor lamp, I busted out something close to $10 to get a 3-way CFL bulb for my bedroom (I don’t have overhead lighting).
In an effort to improve my environmental impact in May, I decided to finish the job and replace my non-standard bulbs as well. I figured some of my specialty bulbs would be a little costly, but I spent 20 minutes in home depot today staring at their light bulb selection. Then I went home empty handed.
I have track lighting over my kitchen counter. Three bulbs I’m attempting to replace are type PAR16 halogen flood lights, 60W each. They are on a dimmer switch. The track lighting piece that I screw the bulb into says I can only use the PAR16 type, so no substitutions allowed. After much Googling, It seems like my only option might be a Par16 LED light, available for over $20 each, plus shipping. I just don’t think that is reasonable.
I guess I’ll have to focus on the bathroom for my CFL efforts, unless anyone has any suggestions on a more energy efficient Par16 light for $10 or less. Maybe instead of using all three lights, I could see how much light I have using just two of the 60W bulbs.



3 comments
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May 6, 2008 at 8:11 am
asgreen
Wow that does seem very expensive. I’m trying to replace all my light blubs as they break.
May 6, 2008 at 3:20 pm
CanadianSaver
I bought a box of 8 and only replaced 3 of them so far… I’m also waiting for the regular ones to burn out first.
Have you seen a reduction in your power bill since you changed yours?
May 6, 2008 at 3:28 pm
StackingPennies
@CanadianSaver - Not really. I had gradually changed them at my old apartment, but my bill was very driven by electric heat use, so I couldn’t see the difference.
Since I have been in my new apartment, I’ve only received one bill, and I haven’t changed my bulbs since I moved.
For my bill, maybe I need to be more dilgent about turning off my modem/wireless during the day