Lowes Flourescent Bulbs - Buy 1 Get 1 Free

[crokett]

4 pack of 60W equivalent (13W) Bright Effects flourescent bulbs at Lowes. Buy one get one free. They usually have this deal as a rebate but this time it is instant savings.

I've slowly been replacing our incandescents as they burn out. LOML intially said she didn't like flourescents but hasn't noticed yet.

[linear]

Just a note on CFL replacement bulbs--they won't perform well in certain situations. Avoid putting them into:

* Bathrooms--humidity adversely affects them
* Fixtures with dimmers--most aren't dimmer-friendly unless labeled accordingly
* Enclosed housings--heat doesn't harm incandescents at all but can cause CFLs to fail
* Infrequent use situations--the cost savings takes several thousand hours use to overcome the purchase price (although we can debate it with freebies)

I'm pretty happy with mine (I have over a dozen in use) but I've been careful to put them in where they make sense and avoid where they don't. I've had some early failures (still got >1000 hours though) in some pendant lights over my kitchen counter. They run hot.

And remember to recycle rather than discard failed bulbs.

[Coolmeadow Creations]

About a month ago, I noticed that HD had lowered the price on their 4 packs of 60 watt flourescents to 3.97, from 7.97. I bought a couple packs. I've put 3 of them in recessed cans as the incadescents burn out, which is pretty quick in these fixtures. So far so good. Jim.

[mpc]

I bought some of the HD ones months ago based on a previous Bargain Alert. They're in the hallway light and over the kitchen sink... in frosted glass globes with little airflow. Didn't know about the heat issue... I expected flourescent bulbs to make less heat - after all, that's what makes regular incandescent bulbs so inefficient. So far they flours. have survived. However, they really screw up colors. Some of the house decorations and fabric are quite different shadings now, some look horrible. One dishrag went from brown to a grey-brown yuk. Maybe that's why HD was clearancing that brand - hopefully the current generation is a better color temperature.

mpc

[Cheeky]

I bought some of the HD ones months ago based on a previous Bargain Alert. They're in the hallway light and over the kitchen sink... in frosted glass globes with little airflow. Didn't know about the heat issue... I expected flourescent bulbs to make less heat - after all, that's what makes regular incandescent bulbs so inefficient. So far they flours. have survived. However, they really screw up colors. Some of the house decorations and fabric are quite different shadings now, some look horrible. One dishrag went from brown to a grey-brown yuk. Maybe that's why HD was clearancing that brand - hopefully the current generation is a better color temperature.

mpc

what brand are they? personally, i've noticed a big difference between name brands like Philips and GE. previously had a bulb from Ikea, and a no name from HD....the name brands are much better quality.

side note: just remember to dispose of them properly, please don't just chuck em in the garbage

[tsbrewers]

I too have 15 or so in the house so far, but just a note though. The HD ones that are 6 for $10 or whatever, are pretty much junk. I had 2 burn out within months, and when I did a search online this is very common.

I have had much better luck buying them at Sam's.

Brew

[Stormbringer]

Don't know if it's local or not but Costco has huge markdowns on these for some time now. All are about 70% off their regular prices (about 80% off HD and Lowes prices) Part of an energy saving promotion. I bought a bunch of 65watt floods for the 20 recessed cans that are part of the basement remodel, some 120 Watt for the kitchen cans, and some outdoor floods for landscape lighting. The brand is "Feit" and I have no compalints. I've had six 100 watt spirals in the living room recessed lights for two years now w/o issue. I just could'n stand the amount of heat incandescents give off (besides the amount of juice they use).


10pk 60 watt spiral (uses 13watts) $3.59

6pk 100 watt spiral (uses 23watts) $5.59

6pk 65 watt indoor flood (uses 13 watts) $2.95

4pk 120 watt outdoor flood (uses 25 watts) $6.59

4pk 120 watt indoor flood (uses 25 watts) $7.59

[kmk]

At Ace Hardware, these are 99c each...

[ironhat]

I've been hearing about the proper disposal of these lights due to the mercury content but I have yet to see a disposal receptical. Am I missing something at Lowes or HD? I'm feeling a bit stupid about this although, I can't say that I've been looking for a receptical. I ignorantly threw the first two into the trash before I heard/ read of this.
TIA!

[TimT]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I've been meaning to head to costco for those bulbs anyway, as Consumers Reports lists them as being better priced. Their being on sale makes it all the more reason to get to costco. I have about 25 floods I'd like to convert to cfl.

[dbarnett]

I just bought the 4 pack 23 watt CFL Indoor floods and..

I just bought the 4 pack 23 watt CFL Indoor floods and they are brighter than the incandesant. I will be buying 2 more packs in the near future.

[mark-yo]

Cheap at Ganahl Lumber

Hi. If you live near Ganahl Lumber, they often have CFLs on sale at 20 cents each. Yes, 20 cents each. Here in Southern Calif, the cost is subsidized by Southern Calif Edison. They're no-name brands, but they work fine. The ones I have are quite bright, and coloring may be 'off' for your taste, as others have mentioned. I heard they contain small amounts of hazardous materials (mercury perhaps), so be very careful w/ handling and disposal if you happen to break one. And, yes, please dispose of properly. M.

[TimT]

Our costco didn't have a sale. Bottom line, the indoor flood was going to be 2.29 each for Sylvania and 3.03 each for Feit. I'm headed to Lowes. I finally got around to counting how many I actually need..... 44.