I gradually switched my 6 recessed flood fixtures in the kitchen to CFL's after it seemed like I was replacing one of the incandescent bulbs every few weeks. These are some of the most often used lights in the house, and it made sense to me to use a CFL for the energy savings and long life. The box of bulbs (Sylvania brand) says they're rated for a 7-year life. Joke! If these things last a year it's a miracle. The big print on the box says "use anywhere you'd use a regular bulb" and the picture on the box shows a recessed light just like mine. The fine print says "totally enclosed" fixtures will shorten the bulb life. I'm guessing they mean fixtures with a lens. My fixtures are not totally enclosed, merely being an inverted "can", open at the bottom end where the bulb is exposed, with about an inch of air space around the sides of the bulb. It seems like these things ought to be lasting longer. I call rip-off. The advertised life is WAY longer than the bulb will actually last. I've been through a dozen of these things by now. More mercury in the environment! Government-sponsored abuse of citizens by big business! Made in China, no less! Impeach Nancy Pelosi!



Okay. I feel better now.



But seriously, anybody else using these CFL's? What do you think?





EDIT: Just for shits and giggles I thought I'd try one of the LCD flood bulbs that are out. Paid $14. at Sam's Club. Cool blue light. Pretty neat. Okay I figure I'm good. This thing will last for years. Damn thing quit working after 3 weeks! Took that **** back for a refund. More expensive garbage being sold under the guise of energy savings. Bullshit!



I think Edison had it right 100 years ago. So much for technology.

there has to be something wrong if your blowing through bulbs in weeks?

I have lights I leave on for months at a time and they last a while

I dunno. House isn't old--build in 2001. No wiring issues to speak of. Nice 400-amp service. The CFL's will typically last about a year. The LED bulb was just a piece of junk. I do have another CFL out at the entry to my detached garage that has been burning for around 5 years. I never turn that one off.



I just think the 7-year advertised life on these bulbs is a crock.

i put CFL's in in like 2006? havent changed a bulb, power bill went down too.



dealership answer, replace house and recheck

i have cfl in my place too, and the fixture with 4 bulbs in the dining area has two of the sockets that seem to have wiring issues.. even like that none of the bulbs have gone out. I've been at that place a year..

Nancy Pelosi is a CFL, she costs way more than she should, and proclaims to be alot brighter than she actually is...

Zing!

I have changed some of the bulbs at the bar I work at to cfl's. The lights are on from 9:00 am till 4:00 am. The incandescent bulbs usually last a couple weeks, I have changed one cfl in a year and a half. They are also in recessed can lighting fixtures. As soon as I have time I'm going to a dedicated light shop to spec out a dimmer system and lights that way I can switch the entire bar to cfl's. They have worked well for me.



- Hand

I put CFLs in totally enclosed fixtures, globes, whatever. you just can't use them on a dimmer.



I put them in once, never replaced one yet.



your house has problems.

its funny you should mention this, my dad has had the same issue with recessed lights in his kitchen, no lens, just the recessed spot type lights. He uses the CFL's, but ended up buying a special tool to replace since he was doing it so often. It's the only place in the house he has this issue, he never replaces them in the bathrooms, i was beginning to think it was something with the fixtures since it's the only place in the house he has this issue. I funky common wire, heat, i dunno.