Stevie's goin green...

disneyjoe7

jgido759 wrote: »

Have you noticed the slight delay when these are turned on and also that it takes them about 2 - 2 1/2 minutes to "warm-up" to full brightness?

My wife hates these so much that she doesn't even turn them on anymore. Uses the chandelier (5 x 40W indandescent). Now if I could only find dimmable CFLs for THAT!

Yes hate it, the worst ones are the round globe style bulbs I use 12 in a bathroom and 2 in a kitchen. They can take a good 3 minutes to get warmed up. I have 2 outside on my porch in ceiling fans the twist style those take a long time also, the colder it is the longer it takes.

Ok and another **** ever noticed they are a bit color off, like some are a bit more yellow then the others. I got one which died in my bathroom the 12, I don't what to replace it as it may look off from the others. I feel like replacing that all so they are from the same manufacture, but they are only 2 years old and weren't cheap.


My word to you Steve, enjoy them they are not all fun.

bigaudiofanatic

All green at this house for 8 years now. We don't even pay attention to the warm up cycle when ye use ours. The bulbs are everywhere they can be including the attic.

NotaSuv

Green??? heck we got rid of them damn light bulbs and use candles..recycled if possible...right now i am on the bike generating enough electric to be able to post and watch TV...wife is pedaling in the kitchen to keep the cooler going....

bobman1235

I actually like the slow warm-up; it's especially good in the morning / night-time, it's like a built-in dimmer

bigaudiofanatic

NotaSuv wrote: »

Green??? heck we got rid of them damn light bulbs and use candles..recycled if possible...right now i am on the bike generating enough electric to be able to post and watch TV...wife is pedaling in the kitchen to keep the cooler going....

Ya thats the spirit and when you get enough money you can get solar panels.

WilliamM2

I just counted 40 bulbs in my house, but there is only 7 or 8 that are used daily, Seems silly to replace them all, especially lights that are only occasionaly turned on for a minute or two. The higher start up power would actually use more energy in these rooms, and more money.

jgido759

MillerLiteScott wrote: »

I have quite a few recessed cans on dimmers and the dimming capable CF bulbs are @ $12-$13 EACH

Also, when you do decide to dim them, they only dim to about 50% brightness, whereby the incandescent ones go down to about 10% brightness.

Really not a factor in my house as all of the women seem to be afraid of the dark and need the place lit up like a ballfield. :eek:

So, the dimmers are rarely used at all.

edbert

I actually just replaced about six lights last night. I will slowly start replacing the rest as things burn out or I remember to get them at the store. It is still hard to drop a lot of coin for lightbulbs when the ones you have are still working perfectly fine. I do plan on building some solar screens for about 4 windows on the house. If anyone has done this and has any tips, shoot me a PM if you don't mind.

Good job Steve! Enjoy the savings.

jgido759

WilliamM2 wrote: »

I just counted 40 bulbs in my house, but there is only 7 or 8 that are used daily, Seems silly to replace them all, especially lights that are only occasionaly turned on for a minute or two.

I believe that EnergyStar's web site recommends that you replace bulbs that are on for longer than a 15 minute period.

McLoki

Low cost LED lighting is on the horizon. (2-3 years). Will replace standard and CFL lights when it can be sold for close to mainstream prices.....

Most of my often used lights have been repaced with CFL's waiting to replace the rest with LED's when the price drops enough. Oddly enough, my son can see the flicker in CFL lighting so while I have used it in the rest of the house - I always use normal incandecents (or as he calls them - "yellow lights") in his room.....

Michael

I-SIG

Three are 2 choices of color available: soft white (more incandescent looking) and your typical white of your office's long fluorescent bulbs.

Wes

I-SIG

edbert wrote: »

I actually just replaced about six lights last night. I will slowly start replacing the rest as things burn out or I remember to get them at the store. It is still hard to drop a lot of coin for lightbulbs when the ones you have are still working perfectly fine. I do plan on building some solar screens for about 4 windows on the house. If anyone has done this and has any tips, shoot me a PM if you don't mind.

Good job Steve! Enjoy the savings.

If you have put together regular screens for your windows, doors, or porches, then doing the solar screen thing is almost as easy.

If you want to simply pull out the old screen and replace it with solar screen, then all you need is a tape measure, razor knife and the little "screen" tool to force the rubber into the groove. If you want to construct some frames, then buy the kit that is sized for your windows, hacksaw them as needed to match the size of the existing screen, and then install the screen.

Be careful when drilling on your window frames if you have double or triple pane windows so you don't break the seal of those gases insulating the glass.

It takes some practice getting the right tension on the screen material and keeping it square. Too loose and I think it can let in some light and heat, too tight and you can't get the ribber in the grove. leave the screen material a little larger than needed and do your trimming after getting it in place and the rubber installed. If you have a big workbench that helps a lot. I did mine on the tile floor and about killed my knees and back, but it was a good hard surface to work off of.

Some friends had these installed by a contractor for like $700. I doubt I spent $100 on materials and tools! I did 4 screens in about 3 hours. I took my time and I don't do it all the time either.

Wes

madmax

jgido759 wrote: »

Have you noticed the slight delay when these are turned on and also that it takes them about 2 - 2 1/2 minutes to "warm-up" to full brightness?

My wife hates these so much that she doesn't even turn them on anymore. Uses the chandelier (5 x 40W indandescent). Now if I could only find dimmable CFLs for THAT!

In my old home I noticed it but didn't care. I found that when I was looking at new houses I got a negative view when I turned the lights on and had to wait for them to come to full brightness. I guess when you get critical of stuff it can bother you. Certainly, replace with incandescent if you put your home up for sale. I can't tell you how bad this bothered me. And I even know of the reason...
madmax

Face

It is a little odd watching the light get brighter while using the bathroom.

madmax

I-SIG wrote: »

If you have put together regular screens for your windows, doors, or porches, then doing the solar screen thing is almost as easy.

If you want to simply pull out the old screen and replace it with solar screen, then all you need is a tape measure, razor knife and the little "screen" tool to force the rubber into the groove. If you want to construct some frames, then buy the kit that is sized for your windows, hacksaw them as needed to match the size of the existing screen, and then install the screen.

Be careful when drilling on your window frames if you have double or triple pane windows so you don't break the seal of those gases insulating the glass.

It takes some practice getting the right tension on the screen material and keeping it square. Too loose and I think it can let in some light and heat, too tight and you can't get the ribber in the grove. leave the screen material a little larger than needed and do your trimming after getting it in place and the rubber installed. If you have a big workbench that helps a lot. I did mine on the tile floor and about killed my knees and back, but it was a good hard surface to work off of.

Some friends had these installed by a contractor for like $700. I doubt I spent $100 on materials and tools! I did 4 screens in about 3 hours. I took my time and I don't do it all the time either.

Wes

I'm lost but very interested here. You can replace your screens??
madmax

venomclan

One thing about CFL's that few people know about = Mercury. If you break one, they can contaminate your home with Mercury. A lady broke one her her daughters beadroom and the EPA quoted $2000.00 for a full clean up. I have them in all my lights but cannot wait for LED's to come online. They are active in the 12v marine and auto markets. While the cfl's are coller, they still create enough heat that they cannot be used in sealed light cans.
Venom

Libertyc

I have been using CFL's for like over 14-15 years now. Yes I had the old harsh round disc lights in my lamps years ago. They do save you money on your light bill.

I now use 23 watt warm ones and also just got a 3-way (150/100/75 watt equiv.) at Wally world. Its bright as hell and great for reading.

I don't like the 13 watt bulbs...makes the house look Halloween.

Libertyc

AND the LED lights look wierd. There is a 60hz flash or somthing I don't like, even with the Christmas lights. They have a very cold harsh light.

steveinaz

edbert wrote: »

I do plan on building some solar screens for about 4 windows on the house. If anyone has done this and has any tips, shoot me a PM if you don't mind.

Many folk's in Arizona do the window tinting instead..cheaper and more effective.

edbert

I-SIG wrote: »

If you have put together regular screens for your windows, doors, or porches, then doing the solar screen thing is almost as easy.

If you want to simply pull out the old screen and replace it with solar screen, then all you need is a tape measure, razor knife and the little "screen" tool to force the rubber into the groove. If you want to construct some frames, then buy the kit that is sized for your windows, hacksaw them as needed to match the size of the existing screen, and then install the screen.

Be careful when drilling on your window frames if you have double or triple pane windows so you don't break the seal of those gases insulating the glass.

It takes some practice getting the right tension on the screen material and keeping it square. Too loose and I think it can let in some light and heat, too tight and you can't get the ribber in the grove. leave the screen material a little larger than needed and do your trimming after getting it in place and the rubber installed. If you have a big workbench that helps a lot. I did mine on the tile floor and about killed my knees and back, but it was a good hard surface to work off of.

Some friends had these installed by a contractor for like $700. I doubt I spent $100 on materials and tools! I did 4 screens in about 3 hours. I took my time and I don't do it all the time either.

Wes

steveinaz wrote: »

Many folk's in Arizona do the window tinting instead..cheaper and more effective.

I actually have slots for solar screens on my window similar to the regular screen, but it would hold a screen for the whole window so I don't have to worry about drilling it in.

Thanks for the tip Steve. I will check if any local places carry or install the window tinting. I had considered it but never really made an effort to look into it. Thanks!

disneyjoe7

A little off subject sorry, but talking about window tint.


I have a large window area in the front of my house which is facing west. In a effect to lower my KW pull in the summer months I'm going to either do or pay someone to tint those windows. The trouble is that there seems to be another film there now on some panes how do I remove that first?

bigaudiofanatic

Libertyc wrote: »

AND the LED lights look wierd. There is a 60hz flash or somthing I don't like, even with the Christmas lights. They have a very cold harsh light.

Last Christmas we converted from "always going out bulbs" to leds we love them and will probably get some more for outside.

steveinaz

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

A little off subject sorry, but talking about window tint.


I have a large window area in the front of my house which is facing west. In a effect to lower my KW pull in the summer months I'm going to either do or pay someone to tint those windows. The trouble is that there seems to be another film there now on some panes how do I remove that first?

Is it old window tint? Maybe grab a corner with a flat razor knife? If your going to pay someone to install (go to car window tinting places, many of them do homes too) they will know how to get the old stuff off.