The problem with incandescent bulbs is that the heat wastes a lot of electricity. Heat is not light, and the purpose of the light bulb is light, so all of the energy spent creating heat is a waste. Incandescent bulbs are therefore very inefficient. They produce perhaps 15 lumen's per watt of input power.
A fluorescent bulb produces less heat, so it is much more efficient. A fluorescent bulb can producebetween 50 and 100 lumens per watt. This makes fluorescent bulbs four to six times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. That's why you can buy a 15-watt fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
Here is a guide:
I have no incandescent lights left in my house. All are CFL's and halogens with dimmer switches. And, I have to change them rarely - maybe once per year, or longer.
Theoretically compared life spans are as follows:
| Bulb Type | Watts | Life (hrs) | Lumens | life |
| Incandescent | 40 | 1000 | 505 | |
| Fluorescent | 15 | 9000 | 720 | 9x |
Incandescent | 60 | 870 | 1000 | |
| Fluorescent | 18 | 10000 | 1100 | 11x |
Incandescent | 75 | 750 | 1190 | |
| Fluorescent | 20 | 10000 | 1200 | 13x |
But, CFL's are much more pricy when you buy - but not really - a 26 watt CFL is about 27 LE and the equivalent 100 watt incandescent is 4.50 LE (at most expensive shop in Cairo - Kimo's) But, you will change the 100 watt incandescent 13 times for one CFL, so actual price is about 58 LE, or about 2+ times cost. Also you used lot less electricity during this time. (for each hour of use for 100 Watt incandescent is 100 KWH for CFL 26 KWH) Using CFL's is a win win!!!!!!!!!!
But if you like to change light bulbs, and need excuse to leave house to buy them - (Kimo's is crawling distance to ACE Club) Go For it!!!!
Go figure!!!!!!!!!
BUT I HAVE ONLY TALKED ABOUT MONEY HERE AND BEING LAZY - MAYBE YOU ARE Susceptible TO THE "FLICKER???? copied from this link
Sure, we know you want to do your part for the planet and all that jazz, but what if conserving energy is killing you? Okay, well, it might not be killing you, but according to a new report out of the UK, it's possible that those new-fangled fluorescent bulbs everyone is telling you to buy these days may be aggravating your migraines, making you nauseous, or causing you physical pain (if you've got lupus). The Daily Mail says that because the bulbs work in the same fashion as typical fluorescent bulbs (which can be irritating to some), the subtle flickering inherent to the technology can cause problems. Britain's Migraine Action Association director Paul Jansen said, "For some people a migraine attack can be triggered by fluorescent lights, video screens, stroboscopic effects and flashing lights." And added that, "We hope that the Government will allow regular light bulbs still to be available to those who need them." On the flip side, compact fluorescent supporters say only older technology or low-energy bulbs have flickering issues, and that new models being produced are clear of problems. Surely that may be the case -- but we need something to blame this stabbing eye pain on.
And another -link
Energy-saving bulbs 'can cause migraines' warn experts
By JENNY HOPE and DAVID DERBYSHIRELast updated at 12:52 04 January 2008
Warning: Energy saving light bulbs can trigger migraines, say experts
Energy saving light bulbs can trigger migraines, health experts and charities warned last night.
They have been inundated with complaints about the fluorescent bulbs, which are due to become compulsory in homes within four years.
Campaigners are calling for the Government to allow an opt-out for people with health problems so they can continue to use old-style bulbs.
The warning follows concerns that eco-bulbs can trigger dizziness, loss of focus and discomfort among people with epilepsy.
There have also been complaints from people with lupus - an auto-immune disease causing many symptoms including pain.
Low energy lightbulbs are miniature versions of the fluorescent strip lights common in offices and kitchens. The latest generation are the size of conventional incandescent bulbs with a filament, but use just a quarter of the energy.
Although they are often five times the cost of old-fashioned bulbs, they use around a quarter of the energy and can pay for themselves within months. Critics, however, say the technology is still not up to scratch. Many complain the light is cold or green, and they take up to a minute to warm up properly, and because they are fluorescent, they flicker.
The Migraine Action Association said there was growing concern about the links between the bulbs and severe headaches.
The charity's Paul Jansen said: "For some people a migraine attack can be triggered by fluorescent lights, video screens, stroboscopic effects and flashing lights.
"Most of the currently available low energy light bulbs are based on fluorescent light technology.
"We hope that the Government will allow regular light bulbs still to be available to those who need them.'
The Government has acknowledged low energy bulbs could pose a problem.
In a written parliamentary answer, Health Minister Ivan Lewis said: "It is known some people with epilepsy may be affected by energy saving light bulbs."
The Lighting Association denied that flicker was a problem with modern energy saving bulbs.
"Compact fluorescent lamps give a constant, flicker-free, nonstroboscopic light," said spokesman Jo Jackson.
She warned against poor quality, cheap lamps, saying: "A small number of cases have been reported by people who suffer from reactions to certain types of linear (straight line) fluorescent lamps.
"These were almost certainly triggered by old technology."
A spokesman for the Energy Saving Trust said: "The technology has changed massively over the last few years. We would advise people to only buy bulbs with the Energy Saving Recommended - SR - logo."
The Migraine Action Association is on www.migraine.org.uk, or phone 01536 461333.
OK - in conclusion, you can google yourself - for me I have headaches - think not from lights but local Beer which also at times cleans my bowels with diarrhea.
YOU CHOOSE, BUT BE INFORMED USER
All the best - I will keep using them!!!!!!!!!!!!
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