Incandescent vs CF, do they REALLY save energy?

[MindPilot]

Yes, a compact fluorescent delivers more candlepower per watt and lasts longer than an incandescent, but is it saving energy in the aggregate?

Given that a CF is way more complex and contains many materials that aren't in an incandescent bulb--like plastic, electronic chips, and phosphorescent gas--are its operational savings offset by the additional energy required for manufacture?

An incandescent bulb on the other hand is made of very cheap any readily available materials, glass, metal and a tiny bit of epoxy.

[Not Me]

1. Energy Savings (while significant) aside

They are worth it just for their longevity.

[MindPilot]

3. Yes but

I don't know the numbers off the top of my head, but do they really? If a CF is 8 bucks and the incandescent 99 cents and the CF lasts 8 times as long as the incandescent, then you've broke even. Factoring in the energy savings you are ahead. BUT, one of the inherent disadvantage of any fluorescent is that the light output deteriorates over time, so it's effective life may actually be shorter than advertised.

[tandot]

9. We got 4 for $1 at Albertsons a while ago

It was a special made possible because PG&E chipped in.

We stocked up on them.

[jpak]

10. No - a 60 W CF bulb is $3.88 at Chinamart and < $6 at most Big Box stores

The biggest energy inputs to either bulb are the glass and metal in the base.

As both are of similar mass in both types of bulbs, incandescents are the energy hogs in terms of materials used - and in energy used.

I have a CF bulb that I bought in 1989 that still works just fine - 18 years by my math.

Nice try though.

also: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5128478.stm

[MindPilot]

12. Waddya mean "nice try?"

If I did some something wrong, please fucking explain it to me.

[ret5hd]

2. well, one way to think of it is...

how much does the bulb cost? I got a packet of 4 for $7.00. That means less than $2.00 each. Assuming they aren't selling them at a loss, that means there HAS to be less than $2.00 worth of energy spent on their manufacture.

Does one bulb save more than $2.00 of electricity over its lifespan?

[MindPilot]

6. That brings up another thought--packaging

An incandescent bulb almost always comes in a little cardboard box, whereas almost every CF I've ever bought comes wrapped in one of those impossible to open plastic enclosure things.

On the energy used, you might be paying 12 cents a kwh for nice clean hydro power, it was manufactured with very cheap but very dirty coal power in China.

And a factory is not going to pay the same rate for power as you and I so I don't think the-dollar-for dollar comparison works.

[cosmik debris]

4. I have a CF in my home that is 16 yrs old

And every night I turn it on at it lights up the same as the day I bought it.

I have no idea how many conventional bulbs I would have gone through, but that seems to make a pretty good advantage to me.

[gristy]

5. Google is your friend

Research it and get back to us. Thanks.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[LoZoccolo]

8. I agree with you, that was rude.

He should have provided the URL for you:

http://www.google.com

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Wickerman]

13. locking

By the "request" of the OP