Recommendations for incandenscent replacements

[dafattkidd]

I just read through a current thread about upgrades and deals on LEDs vs CFLs. Pros and cons. I didn't want to highjack that thread so I started my own.

When we bought our house 7 years ago we bought a bunch of CFL bulbs. We both like a lot of light. Within two weeks we were so dissatisfied with the light coming from the CFLs we replaced most with incandescents, and said to ourselves, "it's worth the extra few bucks/month."

As the technology has obviously improved, I would really like to upgrade to better more efficient bulbs. I would love some advice on which bulbs to get for the various fixtures in our house. Here is a list of most current existing light fixtures. Specific recommendations would be super helpful. Thanks so much.


Lamps with high low setting, two 100w bulbs (we have three of these and really like the amount of light we get from them)
Lamp with high low setting, one 75 w
6" high hats with 65 watts dimmible
60w ceiling fixtures and sconces
40w lamp
Outdoor spot lights on motion sensors
Outdoor sconces (least attractive to bugs would be best)
Outdoor postlight

 

[Lake Girl]

When using CFLs outside, especially in extreme cold, it takes a considerable amount of time for them to warm up and produce any appreciable light. I don't have any lights with motion sensors so not sure how well they would work in that application especially in the cold.

Have you purchased any lately to try on the dimmable lights? There will always be a slight lag for warm up...

 

[DougA]

We use CFLs in areas where the light stays on a long time, such as the kitchen, hallway or esp outside. Some CFLs we have bought take half a minute to reach full brightness so are not good in the bathroom, while some are instant on. We're switching over very gradually as I think LEDs are going to come way down in price.
7 yrs ago I bought CFLs and they were not lasting long at all, so I gave up. Recent ones seem to be very good.

It's best to go somewhere like Home Depot where they should have a display showing all the choices of cool vs. warm. Read the package carefully as some are dimable with the correct dimmer and some are not. The LEDs in our area are crazy expensive so I have not switched to LED other than solar post lights which are used to light the path for walking the dog after dark. Each post light is different though as some have one LED and some are multiple. One is pretty dim but when you buy a pack of 4 solar post lights for 10 bucks, what more do you want?

BTW to Lake Girl, our early CFLs were not good outside in the cold, the recent ones work great and even in super cold, take only 5 sec. or so to get bright.

 

[Lake Girl]

I have purchased more recent versions - most of the house has CFLs. Could be that we get more extreme cold (-30/-40C) so it still remains a factor... With government regs not allowing purchase of incandescent, no longer have the option.

Not sure how LEDs function outside in the same situation.

 

[Highbeam]

Cfl are now obsolete technology. Go led, they are now dimmable, instant on, soft white to match incandescent, unaffected by cold, last forever, same size and shape as incandescent, and cost about double the cost of cfl for the common sizes.

Start with the can light led replacements at home depot made by cree as well as the 60 watt equivalent a19 (regular bulb) replacements also by cree from home depot. Both in the soft white color.

Youll love it. Very bright. It's not all or nothing. The bulb selections above are the best deal right now.

 

[TradEddie]

Apart from a very slight buzz, which may be worse depending on the type of dimmer circuitry, I can't see any "cons" with the 60W Cree equivalent regular bulbs. Even if they don't live up to the claimed lifespan, in one year they've repaid the investment. I've put Crees in ceiling fixtures, outdoor lights, and I even retrofitted a halogen reading lamp with two Cree 60W equivalents, although I think I'll switch those to 75W equivalents. Don't be put off by your CFL experiences, you don't need a 75W equivalent to replace a 60W.

Try one to see, but be prepared to make another trip to HD.

TE

 

[DougA]

I guess I'll have to wait for a trip to the US. I went to both Lowes and Home Depot and an LED to replace one incandescent is $20. That's robbery. BTW, they were clearing out 60w incandescents $2. for 6 long life. I get about 3 yrs. on each of those.

 

[dafattkidd]

I guess I'll have to wait for a trip to the US. I went to both Lowes and Home Depot and an LED to replace one incandescent is $20. That's robbery. BTW, they were clearing out 60w incandescents $2. for 6 long life. I get about 3 yrs. on each of those.

I also get years of life out of most incandescent bulbs. I'm hoping a swap out brings down my electric bill a bit.

 

[dafattkidd]

Apart from a very slight buzz, which may be worse depending on the type of dimmer circuitry, I can't see any "cons" with the 60W Cree equivalent regular bulbs. Even if they don't live up to the claimed lifespan, in one year they've repaid the investment. I've put Crees in ceiling fixtures, outdoor lights, and I even retrofitted a halogen reading lamp with two Cree 60W equivalents, although I think I'll switch those to 75W equivalents. Don't be put off by your CFL experiences, you don't need a 75W equivalent to replace a 60W.

Try one to see, but be prepared to make another trip to HD.

TE

I'll try one or two. See if I like them.

Thanks everyone for all the good advice!

 

[TradEddie]

I'm hoping a swap out brings down my electric bill a bit.

I used to hope that too, now all I hope for is that the savings partially offset the increased consumption as our kids grow!

TE

 

[bassJAM]

When I bought my house half the fixtures already had Cfl’s in them, the other half were empty but my electric company gave me a large box full of cfl’s as a “housewarming” gift, so I made the switch completely. I’m happy for the most part, except for any that are outside. Even though they are less than a year old, they still take a few minutes to reach full brightness when it’s cold. And I’m still not convinced they get much longer life than an incandescent bulb as I’ve had to replace a number of bulbs in the 2 years I’ve lived here.


I have installed LED motion lights outside, and I LOVE them! Super bright, instant on, and their long life means I don’t have to climb a ladder to change bulbs as often. I’m getting ready to try LED’s inside, there’s 3 recessed can lights in the kitchen and a lamp post by the walkway that always stay on, so I think those are good candidates. I made the switch to LED flashlights years ago and have been waiting since for LED home lighting to become available, and then become cheaper. It’s just about reached the point where I feel good spending money on a few bulbs to try them out now.

 

[Highbeam]

My first test application of the LED household lights were to replace my cfl porch lights with Cree A-19 home depot bulbs for 6$. I almost did a little dance when I could actually see the little black pug go out and pee in the grass. Before it was always a guess as to whether he did his business in the frosty grass. The pug was so happy about the full brightness LED that he gave me lots of pug licks.

 

[Laurent Cyr]

I guess I'll have to wait for a trip to the US. I went to both Lowes and Home Depot and an LED to replace one incandescent is $20. That's robbery. BTW, they were clearing out 60w incandescents $2. for 6 long life. I get about 3 yrs. on each of those.

Take a look at the LEDs at Ikea. They start at 6$ and may take care of some of your needs.

 

[Dave A.]

My first test application of the LED household lights were to replace my cfl porch lights with Cree A-19 home depot bulbs for 6$. I almost did a little dance when I could actually see the little black pug go out and pee in the grass. Before it was always a guess as to whether he did his business in the frosty grass. The pug was so happy about the full brightness LED that he gave me lots of pug licks.

You should offer that to them for a commercial.