good deal on CFL bulbs

[unhappycamper]

I was at Costco yesterday, and saw they are selling CFL bulbs with an instant manufacturer's rebate. The cost of an 8 pack 13W(eff. 60W) bulbs was right around $3.00, as was a 4 pack 23W (eff. 100W.) (Both of these have the same profile as that pictured in the wiki link.)

Its it a good deal? Two thoughts:

1. the link at climatecrisis.net points to http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/25_44 , where you can buy a 4 pack of 15/60W bulbs for $11.99 plus shipping.
   
   
2. the 13/60W bulbs at Costco cost about $0.38/per bulb
   

I replaced three (canned) 100W floodlights in my kitchen yesterday & noticed the light dispersion was different that the floodlight. You can get CFL floodlights for around $3.50~$4.00 a pop, but I think I'm gonna live with my $0.75 beauties for a while.

[Warpy]

1. I've replaced nearly all the light bulbs in my home

with CFLs. The only exceptions are fixtures that won't fit them. I've found that the lumens stated are optimistic, to say the least, and that I have to use the "effective 100W" bulbs to replace 60W incandescent bulbs.

The only difference I've found is that the light is slightly cooler (a good thing) and that there's a 1-2 second delay between switching on and getting light.

The bulbs last forever. I have a few that are over 10 years old.

[Andrea]

2. You remind me of a question I've had:

Since the CFLs are slightly cooler, can you use an "effective 100W" in a light fixture that says it has a 60W limit? I've wondered this because I have also noticed that the equivalencies stated are optimistic at best. Thanks.

[Kolesar]

3. The specification is for heat dispersion, so ... yes

A 23Watt CFL will be cool and safe in that light fixture.

[Warpy]

5. I'd think so

They do get hot, but not nearly as hot as incandescent bulbs.

[hunter]

4. I just got some airtight can inserts designed for use with CF bulbs.

Our old can fixtures leaked some air into the attic and I was using them with expensive compact fluorescent floodlights.

The new can inserts, which are meant to be used with ordinary CF bulbs, make the can air-tight. I couldn't quickly find an internet link for them, but I got them from a contractor who does energy saving retrofits.

It was a very easy retrofit, especially since I thought I'd have to install entirely new fixtures.

[unhappycamper]

6. Thanks.

Guess I'll put my googling hat on tomorrow & see if I can find them.

[michaelwb]

7. That is good

I'll definitely check that out in the future.

I needed to get some recently (this thread reminded me to actually do it) and I used this govt website Energy Star to find which store carried them locally. And strangely enough they were absolutely right.