Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, were supposed to save us money.
But a growing number of people are complaining that those energy savings are offset by the high cost of the bulbs, and the reality that they can fail long before they are supposed to.
Bought Into the Hype
Gene Zgoda, like many of us, bought into the CFL hype a few years ago.
He installed the energy saving compact fluorescent bulbs in his kitchen ceiling light and bathroom vanity light.
The bulbs, he had heard over and over again, save energy and last many years.
Except they didn't.
Gene says he couldn't believe it: Some of his new expensive bulbs were burning out after less than 2 years.
"They say they are going to last longer than old bulbs, and pay for themselves. They are pretty expensive. I think I paid $13 for some of them," a frustrated Zgoda said.
Dirty Little Secret
It's the dirty little secret of CFLs, that cost between a dollar and $9 each these days.
They can last up to 15,000 hours, 10 times the lifespan of a standard incandescent bulb.But manufacturers admit the life of the bulbs is much shorter if it is turned on and off constantly, as in a kitchen.
"If we left this on all the time," Zgoda said, "it would be great, they'd last a long time. And then we'd waste more electricity! So wheres the gain here?"
The US Department of Energy now suggests not using CFLs if they are not going to be on at least 15 minutes, as in the bathroom.
Newer Alternatives
So what can you do?Consider newer LED bulbs, which use as little energy as CFLs, but look like normal bulbs.
Roger Gabel of Home Depot said"LED is probably the way of the future. They technology is there, the price is coming down significantly."
Home Depot recently lowered the price of itsCree line of LED's to just $8 each....half the price of what they were selling for last year.
And Lowe's is now selling itsUtilitech brand LED's for as low as $5.
These will last for years, even in Zgoda's kitchen or bath.
Bottom line: CFLs are great for living rooms, outdoors where you keep them on for several hours.
But for a bathroom, consider LEDs so you don't waste your money.
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