Jeff,

You know me and you know that I'm no greenie. However, I do try to make some economically smart decisions on occasion. I have a few CFL bulbs in the house in fixtures that stay on all night (i.e. kid's bathroom & kitchen night-lite). I would say they provide adequate illumination for these purposes, but not the type of light you'd want to work by. I also have four fluorescent floodlights (http://www.regentlighting.com/common/brand.cfm? pg=Detail&brand=Regent&category=Dusk%20to%20Dawn% 3A%20%20Fluorescent&id=11906) on the outside corners of the house for nighttime security. The light that they emit is somewhat annoying, but at the cost of operating one incandescent bulb I have learned to put up with it. BTW, these fixtures use a total of 104W whereas the old floodlights totaled 1200W.

I am enjoying your blog more lately. Keep up the good work.
Bobby B. | 10.16.06 - 3:21 pm | #

Also, I forgot to mention something. I used to work with an engineer who worked at a fluorescent tube light manufacturing plant. He was big on fluorescents, but said the day is coming when LED's will dominate the market.
Bobby B. | 10.16.06 - 3:32 pm | #

Thanks for stopping by, Bobby... I appreciate it.

For others out there -- Bobby's been a friend for over 20 years, and we frequently engage in spirited political debate...
Jeff at sustainablog | Homepage | 10.16.06 - 5:34 pm | #

Hey Bobby,

I found that to get adequate working light it's important to get 100 watt equivelent or brighter CFL bulbs (see chart below). I found some 100 watt equivelent which were supposed to simulate day light and found them quite bright. I use those particular bulbs in the kitchen where I like to see what I'm doing. We use the 60 watt equivelent in the bedroom to keep it more relaxed.

15W CFL = 60W regular bulb
20W CFL = 75W regular
29W CFL = 100W regular
40W CFL = 150W regular
55W CFL = 250-300W regular
(figures from GE Lighting website)
Jenni | Homepage | 10.17.06 - 12:52 am | #

I thought about updating my carport shop lights from halogen to daylight-corrected fluorescents, but the halogens provide the best work light and the extreme heat fries many of those pesky insects before they get a chance to bite me.
Bobby B. | 10.17.06 - 11:45 am | #