CFLs that actually live up to claimed life...

[mdocod]

I seem to recall having either started a thread on this topic, or commenting on one a LONG while back, but I wanted to give an update as I think we have found a bulb that we can live with around here... Our experience had been that CFLs did not live up to life rating claims and were not cost effective nor enjoyable to use due to warm up times.

I think it's been almost 2 years since we picked these up.

NeoLite 13W CFL 5000K, 12,000 hour life rating, instant on.

We bought ~10 of these almost 2 year ago and immmediately installed 6 of them in the large living room of the house, (recessed ceiling light fixtures with heat problems). Other bulbs were installed at intervals in other parts of the house over the following 6 months since we ordered them. For those original 6 bulbs, on average, they are on about 8-10 hours a day (we are night owls, and keep this room lit most nights). We're fully illuminating a large room (~15'x30') for under 100W of total power consumption. Those most heavily used bulbs are pushing well over the 6000 hour mark for total use thus far and still run strong without a hint of problems. (Previous attempts at using CPFs in these ceiling fixtures resulted in bulb life that wasn't any better than a normal incan).

Since we bought and installed all of them, not a single bulb has failed in any application. While these are slightly more expensive (+50% over "cheap" CFLs), it's very hard to complain considering the long term reliability. They also claim ultra-low mercury content (1mg per bulb compared to 3-4mg per bulb in other brands). The instant-on isn't perfect, but there is much better output from a cold start than with most ordinary CFLs.

The NeoLite bulbs have made living with CFLs practical and enjoyable.

I didn't really want this to sound like a straight up advo for these bulbs but it sort of does sound that way.... Well, I've been around CPF long enough that everyone knows I'm not a spammer or anything. I just wanted to share my very positive experience with these bulbs thus far. There are so many "claims" out there about the savings that can be realized over the life of a CFL that become totally false when the bulb doesn't last long enough to offset its higher initial cost over incans. This is one area in my life where I have seen quality over-come low price points in a big way.

-Eric

[Beamhead]

I have Osram and Philips magnetic ballast units that lasted over 15 years, the electronic ballast units seem to range from dead in minutes to 3 years.

[JohnR66]

My experience is that the CFLs last to their rated life or beyond unless they are in a situation where the ballast gets too hot, such as in base up or enclosed ceiling fixtures. Sounds like you found a good bulb if they are surviving. One problem is manufacturers keep changing their designs every so often so you have to hope a bulb you get now is as good as the previous ones.

[Dave_H]

I gave a neighbour a 13W spiral CFL several years ago
for a porch light fixture (sheltered but open). Brand was Globe,
good but nothing special. Light was left on almost continuously
for over 2.25 years, which is 20,000 hours, despite being
rated 10,000 hours. Some people do this to discourage burglary
by not signalling when nobody is at home. In the end it was
not even dead, just running dim/hot. Ambient ranges from
below -30C in winter to above +30C. At $0.11 per kWh,
over $80 was saved.

I would chalk up the long life to lack of frequent turning on
and off ; and good quality and good ventilation. Ironically,
some of these same bulbs had been subject to a safety
recall.

Dave