CFL future

by Jake
(Utah)

I replaced about 20 bulbs in my house three years ago. The up front cost was about $60, and I donated the old bulbs for a modest charitable tax deduction--about $5. I estimated only half the savings estimated here--$5 per year per bulb.

That means in the first year I saved $100 in electrical costs, or $45 after recouping the initial investment. In the three years, I have had to replace about 4 of the bulbs.

We are working on other energy saving strategies in our house, so it's hard to say that our reduced electrical bills are exactly $100/year less due to CFLs, but it's clearly a good step into the future.