Light bulbs
Bought light bulbs today. Got fed up with those things burning out every 3 months. So I got the CFL type (similar to this, same make) that's supposed to be energy efficient and also last longer (box says 3 years). They're expensive. Cost about 9-10 times more than the regular light bulbs here (price difference is probably smaller elsewhere. Incandescent bulbs sold here are very cheap and crappy). But it seems to be still worth it. First, if its lifespan is anywhere near what they promise, that already covers the difference in cost, not to mention in hassle. Even if it only lasts a year, and they have a one year guarantee (who's ever heard of a guarantee on a light bulb!) it cuts the expense in almost half.
Then there's the cost of electricity. That's something one doesn't usually consider much, 'cause lighting takes so little wattage compared to other appliances, but since this new type is supposed to be energy saving, I went to check.
Our electric company has a price calculator on its site, so you can type in the wattage of an appliance, and it will give you the cost of running it for an hour.
I normally use 75W bulbs, and the new CFL ones are equivallent in light output, and use only 13W. According to the calculator, 1 hour of the Incandescent bulb = 8 hours of the CFL bulb!!! In this house, it means I cover the price of the bulb itself within one electric bill. Everything else is a saving (not to mention the eco benefits). I really like this. Of course if one can get these at a price closer to that of an incandescent, the saving is even greater.
Then there's the cost of electricity. That's something one doesn't usually consider much, 'cause lighting takes so little wattage compared to other appliances, but since this new type is supposed to be energy saving, I went to check.
Our electric company has a price calculator on its site, so you can type in the wattage of an appliance, and it will give you the cost of running it for an hour.
I normally use 75W bulbs, and the new CFL ones are equivallent in light output, and use only 13W. According to the calculator, 1 hour of the Incandescent bulb = 8 hours of the CFL bulb!!! In this house, it means I cover the price of the bulb itself within one electric bill. Everything else is a saving (not to mention the eco benefits). I really like this. Of course if one can get these at a price closer to that of an incandescent, the saving is even greater.