What is the actual life time on the fluorescent energy saving bulbs?
By GetGreenLiving on August 24th, 2010
There are voltage and heat issues, CFLs for me last about a year too, the innards overheat and die early. I completely switched over to LEDs, CCDs, and ELs two years ago. They’re extremely expensive but actually live up to their product claims.
regular incandescent- 750-2000 hours hi voltage incandescent (not practical)- decades if you under volt a bulb by 1/2 it will last approximately 525 times longer (that’s at least 20 years). good luck finding 240 volt 100 watt lamps with US Edison screw medium base. because they’re not sold in the US, Canada or Mexico. the lower wattage ones are good night lites. typically they will run 1/2 brightness at 1/2 wattage.
CFL, 1st generation- these buzz and are very large – 1000-5000 hours, early failures due to heat issues. CFL, current generation- they actually fit in most people’s lamps- 3-5 years if properly ventilated, 1/2 year if outside, 1 year if not ventilated (such as in can lights and spot lamps)
FL tubes – 3,000 to 20,000 hours depending on ballast and voltage.
induction – 2500 hours and counting. i bought one for the yard. I paid $155 for 72 watt 7000 lumen lamp. its an early generation, absolutely enormous! weighs like 10 lbs! microwave – 30,000 to 50,000 hours generally bulb lasts 250,000 hours but its ballast doesn’t. these are not for residential use, I can’t imagine you’d ever need 50,000 lumens in any room of your house.
Neon (night light) – 500 to 25,000 hours depending on current.
LED- industry is still speculating. my first gen lamp has ran for over 6 years and its still like new. it has a heatsink to dissipate heat better. I have many LEDs, from early LED lamps to modern LED bulbs no larger than a regular bulb and just as bright. They range from $208 to $22. I trust they will last at least 50,000 hours as claimed.
EL & capacitative lamps – I’ve had one for 15 years, its clocked at least 150,000 hours. the first ones from the 1960s still run like new, despite being lit for over 350,000 hours. the industry has no idea how long they will last. some claim 500,000 hours, some say 1,000,000 hours. no one really knows.
Source: yahoo answers
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I haven’t had a CFL burn out on me yet. But they shouldn’t be put in areas that have quick on/off – such as bathrooms, closets, etc… they are much better for longer burning areas. But like I said, I haven’t had any burn out on me yet – I think the first one I bought is around 5 years old now…
I think I now have to learn more about bulbs and its energy it can cost especially that I’ll be moving to a new home. Thanks for this information. Thank you also Sarah for your comment.