Comments on Homo Domesticus: Tripping the Lights Fantastic...

Your point about the Bright Effects brand having a...

2007-08-26T11:14:00.000-05:00

Your point about the Bright Effects brand having a lower quality level than the others is right on point.
I've used some other brands and so far, they've lasted MUCH longer and have better initial light quality.
I'm convinced that the newer CFLs are worth the extra investment. I'll just stay away from the Bright Effects brand.

It's always been length that's been the problem fo...

2006-10-16T13:16:00.000-05:00

It's always been length that's been the problem for ours (measuring from base towards end of bulb) - and even the smallest ones still are an inch or more larger than the comparable incandescents. Most bulb-down-towards-floor fixtures with the screw-held covers still won't accept a CFL; I had some luck once with one that was 2 bulbs side-to-side (parallel to floor).

And of course my garage is easy - no shades or covers. Lamps standing up are easy too; but unfortunately the places we use the most light are the ones where CFLs won't work at all.

I have to admit I like the one in my closet, as tw...

2006-10-16T12:50:00.000-05:00

I have to admit I like the one in my closet, as two third of the time (i.e., morning and late evening) I prefer a dim light. One third of the time (i.e., middle of the day), I'd rather have something come on immediately. But, I can do the math.

Well, you know your light fixtures, but the last s...

2006-10-13T09:52:00.000-05:00

Well, you know your light fixtures, but the last set of bulbs I got were awfully compact. You might try again if you haven't looked in the last few months. Shape can still be tricky, since CFL's still have a large base.

We replaced a lot of light fixtures in this house for aesthetic reasons (hanging mounts instead of flush) that probably made it easier for us to use CFL's. If you can afford it, you might try that.

I've been desperately trying to use them everywher...

2006-10-12T14:24:00.000-05:00

I've been desperately trying to use them everywhere, since our house is so poorly insulated (walls and flooring); but even the newest ones don't fit in 90% of our fixtures. At least I got the kitchen high-wattage system replaced with one that was open for CFLs.

The claims about how they fit anywhere an incandescent fits are typical stupid enviro over-reach. They just don't; it would have been smarter to market these as "for some places" rather than convincing people they could replace all the bulbs in their house. Most people have at least some screw-on fixtures like I do that just won't work with any CFL bulbs.

So, ironically, I end up using them the most in the places where their heat profile is the _least_ important - the garage, front porch, and utility room, because those are the places they can actually fit. Sigh.