CFL Bulbs that really last for 5 Years

I'll second whoever it was (sorry, too lazy to look back :p ) that I like the Orange box brand bulbs. I've used all the iterations of them, and they're all pretty decent. They do turn on instantly, and the warmup period is very short. These are the ones that I've mostly used and had good luck with.

The downlights are more problematic... warm up slower, fail faster, etc. as others have said. They make some pretty nice LED drop in replacements if you use a 6" can. Most of my cans are smaller, so I can't go that route. Maybe eventually they'll catch up to my can sizes in the readily available market (6" is too big for any ceiling lower than 10'. I like 5" on 8' and 9' ceilings for general lighting, and 4" for task/accent lighting... the proportions just work better)
 
BobL43 said:
I do have 8 skylghts already in the roof! they work well.
Click to expand...

I have heard that they don't work well at night.

But it must be very cool to be able to Howl at the Full Moon from your Arm Chair...
 
My Wife did some research on the cost to Covert to LED lighting.

This is what she came up with.

$250.00 for the LED lights ( I need about 10 ) @ 25.00 each
$100.00 for a permit
$72.00 for Electrician Certified to change them because it is a modification, Insurance You know. (I think I am Qualified)
$200.00 for the inspection by a qualified Electrical inspector. (I can not inspect my own work)
––––––––––––
$ 622 Total

Does that sound about right ? Or is her calculation Off ?


Seems a bit expensive just to change 10 Light bulbs, If you follow all the rules.
 
If you're doing the can light conversions, you don't need permits/electricians. Its just changing a light bulb. The ones I'm thinking of screw into a standard base and just replace the bulb and the trim on the can light housing, no electrical requirements.

Back to $250, seem more reasonable?

Although, I think if some people had their way about things, this would be a permit operation requiring union electricians and all that jazz... <sigh>
 
Last edited:
DonL said:
What is in the LED light that makes them a hazard ?

.
Click to expand...

Neodymium, and other rare earth minerals. Same is in the displays on your pad/pod whatever. Prices will rise as china starts to bogard their supplies. That is also true for lead, such as smaller sealed lead-acid batteries. Most of the worlds lead is now mined in china, and environmentally it was so out of hand, even china could no longer ignore it ,so some mines were temporarily shut down. Just starting to get back up to speed.
 
jimbo said:
Neodymium, and other rare earth minerals. Same is in the displays on your pad/pod whatever. Prices will rise as china starts to bogard their supplies. That is also true for lead, such as smaller sealed lead-acid batteries. Most of the worlds lead is now mined in china, and environmentally it was so out of hand, even china could no longer ignore it ,so some mines were temporarily shut down. Just starting to get back up to speed.
Click to expand...

I got cracked up when I read the word bogard Jimbo®. Sorry but You crack me up.

I have heard the term "Don't bogard that Joint"

I knew it had to be a special Plumbing lingo.

That is great, You are the best...
 
Last edited:
where are you buying LED lights so cheaply? $25? where? do tell :) I see one at big orange that i kind of like, since i am remodeling. i thought they were more like 50 or 60 each and came with trim. someone mentioned CREE, i think those are the same lights. they fit in a 5" or 6" can.
 
Chad Schloss said:
where are you buying LED lights so cheaply? $25? where? do tell :) I see one at big orange that i kind of like, since i am remodeling. i thought they were more like 50 or 60 each and came with trim. someone mentioned CREE, i think those are the same lights. they fit in a 5" or 6" can.
Click to expand...


I normally buy my electrical stuff in bulk. Maybe my price was off a little.

Sorry for my error.
 
Orange box has them for $37 right now from Commercial Electric. You could get a few bucks off with a 10% coupon off that auction site, and buying a gift card at 7% off from plastic jungle dot com. I do this a lot for my Orange and Blue purchases. Works out to a total of about 16% off, so the cans would be about $31 before tax.
 
mtcummins said:
If you're doing the can light conversions, you don't need permits/electricians. Its just changing a light bulb. The ones I'm thinking of screw into a standard base and just replace the bulb and the trim on the can light housing, no electrical requirements.

Back to $250, seem more reasonable?

Although, I think if some people had their way about things, this would be a permit operation requiring union electricians and all that jazz... <sigh>
Click to expand...
was a little tongue in cheek there, mt
 
Chad Schloss said:
where are you buying LED lights so cheaply? $25? where? do tell :) I see one at big orange that i kind of like, since i am remodeling. i thought they were more like 50 or 60 each and came with trim. someone mentioned CREE, i think those are the same lights. they fit in a 5" or 6" can.
Click to expand...
on HD's web site, the Model ECO-575L sells for $39.99, but at my local HD's, they are selloing for $24.99. They come with trim, which is integral with the bulb.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like most people pay to much for the bulbs.

I buy my bulbs in a 100 pack and get a better deal.

But I think I will bogard my stash...
 
mtcummins said:
Heh, I realized that after posting... guess I'm flying through these posts a little too quick...
Click to expand...

You are good, Most understand.

I would like to keep my cost low.

My wife likes to go by the book.

The only thing is that she calculates everything.

She is good. But I do what I can do, Not what should be done.

If I need an inspector, Maybe Bob can help me.
 
Are there no LED Bulbs made in the USA ?

If so what brand would that be ?

Looks like they all come over on the slow boat...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Is a refurbished Kinetico water softener worth the cost?
Replies
1
Views
255
GReynolds929
GReynolds929
Daniel Collick
Relocate zone manifolds
Replies
3
Views
148
Daniel Collick
Daniel Collick
P
5600SXT Problem?
Replies
3
Views
2K
PJW^&
P
J
Navien NCB-210E DHW error E001
Replies
14
Views
7K
jvasco2010
J
J
Replacing 20 year old Kinetico system in Phoenix. So many options, what to do?
Replies
0
Views
549
JohnnyP
J
Back
Top