Walmart's big CFL push
#1
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Walmart's big CFL push
I thought it was interesting as I'm starting to put CFL's ( compact fluorescent lamps) in some places in my house.
Full story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/business/02bulb.html
Wal-Mart Puts Some Muscle Behind Power-Sipping Bulbs
By MICHAEL BARBARO
As a way to cut energy use, it could not be simpler. Unscrew a light bulb that uses a lot of electricity and replace it with one that uses much less.
While it sounds like a promising idea, it turns out that the long-lasting, swirl-shaped light bulbs known as compact fluorescent lamps are to the nation’s energy problem what vegetables are to its obesity epidemic: a near perfect answer, if only Americans could be persuaded to swallow them.
But now Wal-Mart Stores, the giant discount retailer, is determined to push them into at least 100 million homes. And its ambitions extend even further, spurred by a sweeping commitment from its chief executive, H. Lee Scott Jr., to reduce energy use across the country, a move that could also improve Wal-Mart’s appeal to the more affluent consumers the chain must win over to keep growing in the United States.
By MICHAEL BARBARO
As a way to cut energy use, it could not be simpler. Unscrew a light bulb that uses a lot of electricity and replace it with one that uses much less.
While it sounds like a promising idea, it turns out that the long-lasting, swirl-shaped light bulbs known as compact fluorescent lamps are to the nation’s energy problem what vegetables are to its obesity epidemic: a near perfect answer, if only Americans could be persuaded to swallow them.
But now Wal-Mart Stores, the giant discount retailer, is determined to push them into at least 100 million homes. And its ambitions extend even further, spurred by a sweeping commitment from its chief executive, H. Lee Scott Jr., to reduce energy use across the country, a move that could also improve Wal-Mart’s appeal to the more affluent consumers the chain must win over to keep growing in the United States.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/business/02bulb.html
#4
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I've actually replaced a lfew of my CFL with incandescents. I have a 5-light fixture over the dining room table I wanted on a dimmer switch, and CFL's can't be dimmed well.
Do you really find the light the same? I find the CFL gives off a kind of sickly yellow-green colour.
Do you really find the light the same? I find the CFL gives off a kind of sickly yellow-green colour.
#5
Community Architect
robb m.
robb m.
I replaced all of my non-dimming lights with CFLs, including my 3 Outdoor lights.
I am using all different wattages, from 9-23. I find the big ones, the 23s to be MUCH brighter than a 100W incandescent bulb. I also find the light to be much whiter, more like having an HID bulb.
I don't know how much it's saving me, but i am happy with the light, and any savings is good with me
I am using all different wattages, from 9-23. I find the big ones, the 23s to be MUCH brighter than a 100W incandescent bulb. I also find the light to be much whiter, more like having an HID bulb.
I don't know how much it's saving me, but i am happy with the light, and any savings is good with me
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#8
is learning to moonwalk i
I have been replacing the incandecents with CFLs as they burn out. Unfortunately, they don't fit real well in all fixtures, since they're a little longer. Also, it may be due to problems with the electricity, but they don't seem to last any longer than standard bulbs at my place.
#9
Aaaarrrggghhhh!
First thing we did after building our home 2 years ago was to replace 100% of all the no-name bulbs the builder used with CFL's..
2 weeks ago I replaced ALL of the CFL's to Reveal's.. I'm not saving any energy anymore, but I got rid of that damn nasty yellow color we had throughout the house. Everything looks better now. I have yet to find a CFL which has a comparable light output/color combination to the Reveals. Until they can match the quality of a regular WHITE colored bulb, I'll stick with the old fashion bulbs.
Now, If I can only find a 14/16 foot step ladder so I can change one of the burned out bulbs in the cathedral ceiling in the family room, I'll be all set.
A big, high ceiling seemed like a great idea until I had to change one of the friggin bulbs![Tantrum](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/tantrum.gif)
I'm going to use the old CFL's for my shop light in the garage.. they seem to take a beating much better than normal bulbs.
2 weeks ago I replaced ALL of the CFL's to Reveal's.. I'm not saving any energy anymore, but I got rid of that damn nasty yellow color we had throughout the house. Everything looks better now. I have yet to find a CFL which has a comparable light output/color combination to the Reveals. Until they can match the quality of a regular WHITE colored bulb, I'll stick with the old fashion bulbs.
Now, If I can only find a 14/16 foot step ladder so I can change one of the burned out bulbs in the cathedral ceiling in the family room, I'll be all set.
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I'm going to use the old CFL's for my shop light in the garage.. they seem to take a beating much better than normal bulbs.
Last edited by Scribesoft; 01-03-2007 at 03:44 PM.
#11
Senior Moderator
i use the CFL ones from home depot that are 4 bucks each. They give a 100 watt output and draw 28. They give a erally white output, like an HID without the blueish tint. The color rating is daylight i think. BTW these can't be dimmed.
#12
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by GINge!
Do you really find the light the same? I find the CFL gives off a kind of sickly yellow-green colour.
I got some 15w's to start off, and they were "soft white"... Yellow light. I've got some lights behind white globes so I'll use those in em.
I've got some "cool daylight" GE's in 26w that are more "blue" in color... I like those (my brother stole one for his nightstand already).
I didn't like that 26W in the living room, so I'm probably not going to put them every where... I'll use incandecents in the "trumpets" on the ceiling fans, but I'll replace the bulbs in the central globe w/ a CFL, so I'm still going to have a mixed use of lights.
#13
Suzuka Master
Originally Posted by mrsteve
Still hate Wal-Mart... I was in one of their stores around Christmas. 40 acres of merchandise for sale, 4,000 customers, and 28 cash registers; only 4 of which we open.
But I still shop at WalMart for things like bulbs, air filters, paper towels, generic Advil, etc.
#14
Team Owner
We use them but find that we don't like them for some reason in all rooms. Maybe I just need a lower wattage one in those rooms. Still experimenting.
BTW, it seems that Walmart now has other shapes besides Ice Cream Cone Swirl.
BTW, it seems that Walmart now has other shapes besides Ice Cream Cone Swirl.
#15
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Been using them for a while, love them. I do wish they made a CFL light closer to the incandescent GE "Reveal" color temperature. I've tried the daylight CFL ones by GE and the light they produce is just too blue, it actually makes the illuminated space feel darker compared to an incandescent bulb in my opinion. As more of the incandescent bulbs I have around here give out, I'll be replacing them with CFLs. In addition to lower energy use, I like that they also don't put off as much heat, that's really nice during the hot summer months.
#16
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Info on "Colors" here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact...nt_lamp#Colors
I like the reveal too, and have some around the house...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact...nt_lamp#Colors
I like the reveal too, and have some around the house...
#17
I love cars!
Originally Posted by GreenMonster
I thought it was interesting as I'm starting to put CFL's ( compact fluorescent lamps) in some places in my house.
Full story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/business/02bulb.html
Full story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/business/02bulb.html
#19
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Check the wikipedia link above for the definitions of "colors" for CFL's as it has good info.
I kinda know something about lighting...
Most residential applications should use 3000K (warm) and below to mimic the output of regular incandescent bulbs. "Daylight" bulbs (4100K and above) are too "cool" to use in a house, and most people find the irritating.
Unfortunately, the "elcheapo" type bulbs that they sell at wal-mart usually have really bad Color Rendering Indexes (CRI) and look poor when installed. Plus they use junky ballasts that give off an annoying hummmmm. The best application for these type bulbs is inside a fixture with a lens or cover to help diffuse and soften the glow and hide the noise.
If you step up to the non- china Sylvania bulbs or even better - Panasonic bulbs, you will be really surprised at how good they look. They cost more, but the average CFL lasts at least 10,000 hours and a incandescent barely makes it to 1000 hours - even less for "reveal" and Halogen bulbs. Also - CFL's are great for outdoor use, like porch and post lights that stay on all night.
I kinda know something about lighting...
Most residential applications should use 3000K (warm) and below to mimic the output of regular incandescent bulbs. "Daylight" bulbs (4100K and above) are too "cool" to use in a house, and most people find the irritating.
Unfortunately, the "elcheapo" type bulbs that they sell at wal-mart usually have really bad Color Rendering Indexes (CRI) and look poor when installed. Plus they use junky ballasts that give off an annoying hummmmm. The best application for these type bulbs is inside a fixture with a lens or cover to help diffuse and soften the glow and hide the noise.
If you step up to the non- china Sylvania bulbs or even better - Panasonic bulbs, you will be really surprised at how good they look. They cost more, but the average CFL lasts at least 10,000 hours and a incandescent barely makes it to 1000 hours - even less for "reveal" and Halogen bulbs. Also - CFL's are great for outdoor use, like porch and post lights that stay on all night.
#20
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Originally Posted by GreenMonster
I thought it was interesting as I'm starting to put CFL's ( compact fluorescent lamps) in some places in my house.
Full story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/business/02bulb.html
Full story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/business/02bulb.html
I hope they sell 12 packs for $6
#21
The Creator
i used to have alot of CFL's, but like others said, i find them soo yellow.
maybe they've improved.
for now though, i've reveals in most of our standard light sockets.
maybe they've improved.
for now though, i've reveals in most of our standard light sockets.
#22
The sizzle in the Steak
I did this a couple of years ago.
I noticed the drop in the elec. bill too.
I noticed the drop in the elec. bill too.
#23
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I haven't seen any of the Sylvania Daylight CFLs in store. I'm pretty sure their Kelvin rating is lower than the daylight bulbs GE makes; I'll have to give them a try.
#24
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Thread Starter
I just bought a couple of cheap made in China 23W CFL's for 74 cents a piece ![what](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/what.gif)
Walmarts not fucking around... they had 2 different types out in the aisle.
The GE 15w (60w equivalent) 2 pack I bought awhile ago was $6.44...
![what](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/what.gif)
Walmarts not fucking around... they had 2 different types out in the aisle.
The GE 15w (60w equivalent) 2 pack I bought awhile ago was $6.44...
#25
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Thread Starter
F.Rizzo, good info ![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I figured there was some downfall to the cheap ones, so I only bought 2. I'll probably use those for the porch lights.
Yeah, I've got some 6500K GE daylights that I like even tho' they are blue.
I'll have to look around for some of the Sylvania and Panasonic ones. My only experience has been with the GE's so far.
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I figured there was some downfall to the cheap ones, so I only bought 2. I'll probably use those for the porch lights.
Originally Posted by driver centric
I haven't seen any of the Sylvania Daylight CFLs in store. I'm pretty sure their Kelvin rating is lower than the daylight bulbs GE makes; I'll have to give them a try.
I'll have to look around for some of the Sylvania and Panasonic ones. My only experience has been with the GE's so far.
#26
Team Owner
I don't think I've ever seen a Panasonic light bulb. Where do we get those?
I'm surprised some of you think they are too yellow. The ones I got at HD are nowhere as yellow as the regular bulbs in my house.
I'm surprised some of you think they are too yellow. The ones I got at HD are nowhere as yellow as the regular bulbs in my house.
#27
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Also - there are a lot of other screw in CF bulbs in the market.
Need to brighten a room? EIKO makes a 105 watt screw in CF bulb that is the equiv. to a 500 watt incandescent bulb !
1000bulbs.com is one of the best on line lighting stores there is. (they have great Xmas lights also - but order early) http://www.1000bulbs.com/category.php?category=2086
They used to sell Panasonic CFL's on line, but there are no prices listed currently. I get mine from a local lighting supplier. You can look up a dealer rep on the website: http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...00000000005702
Need to brighten a room? EIKO makes a 105 watt screw in CF bulb that is the equiv. to a 500 watt incandescent bulb !
1000bulbs.com is one of the best on line lighting stores there is. (they have great Xmas lights also - but order early) http://www.1000bulbs.com/category.php?category=2086
They used to sell Panasonic CFL's on line, but there are no prices listed currently. I get mine from a local lighting supplier. You can look up a dealer rep on the website: http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...00000000005702
#28
I feel the need...
As C.F.L. Sales Fall, More Incentives Urged
An official at the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program has issued a grim assessment of the market for compact fluorescent light bulbs, or C.F.L.s, and is urging that funding for utility incentive programs be intensified.
In a September 18 letter to C.F.L. industry stakeholders, Richard Karney, Energy Star products manager, said that national sales of the bulbs have declined 25 percent from their peak in 2007, with sales in some regions such as Vermont and parts of Massachusetts declining 35 to 50 percent. Further, he noted, shipments of C.F.L.s — which are supposed to last far longer than traditional incandescents –are down 49 percent in 2009 over 2007 levels.
“The market for C.F.L.s is far from transformed,” Mr. Karney wrote. “Based on additional data and analysis that D.O.E. has continued to gather, it’s apparent that the market is headed in the wrong direction.....”
In a September 18 letter to C.F.L. industry stakeholders, Richard Karney, Energy Star products manager, said that national sales of the bulbs have declined 25 percent from their peak in 2007, with sales in some regions such as Vermont and parts of Massachusetts declining 35 to 50 percent. Further, he noted, shipments of C.F.L.s — which are supposed to last far longer than traditional incandescents –are down 49 percent in 2009 over 2007 levels.
“The market for C.F.L.s is far from transformed,” Mr. Karney wrote. “Based on additional data and analysis that D.O.E. has continued to gather, it’s apparent that the market is headed in the wrong direction.....”
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