I'm not an incredibly eco-friendly person, but I do like to do my part in trying to cut down on waste around the house, and not fill up the garbage dump sooner than necessary.  So, we've tried using energy-efficient light bulbs (or compact fluorescent bulbs) for several years now, but there's just one little problem with these light bulbs.  If used in high traffic areas of the house, they never last as long as the the manufacturer reports!  I think the standard on the twisty type light bulbs, which is what we mostly have, is 8,000-10,000 hours.  I would also say, that in our living room, which seems to have the lights on the most per day, might be on an average of 8 hours a day.  I think that's pushing it, but then on rainy days, it might be all day, so 8 hours is a good number.  Using those figures, the compact fluorescent light bulbs should last around 2.5 years.   So, how long do ours last?  Maybe 6 months!

So, if you just stop reading there, you're probably thinking there's something wrong with the fixture to pop the light so quick.  But unfortunately, we also have them in our bathrooms (which do not have lights on all day long).  And we've also tried various types, manufacturers of the light bulbs, sizes, and what not in 3-4 different houses in the past 6 years, with virtually the same problem.

So, to me, in high traffic areas, the energy efficient light bulbs do suck.  But, to give them a little redemption, the energy-efficient bulbs do work very well in very low traffic areas such as the closets and pantry areas.  Those light bulbs tend to last a long time (a long time being the 3 years we've been in this house, we haven't changed the energy efficient bulbs in the closets).

If you are interested in saving the planet just a little, then I can definitely recommend using energy efficient bulbs (or compact fluorescent light bulbs) in your low traffic areas, but as far as the high traffic areas of your home, I've just not seen enough of a benefit to warrant spending extra on "efficient bulbs".  Below are a few energy-efficient bulbs that we thought made pretty good samples.  If you know of an energy efficient bulb that really works as described, and works in a high traffic area, let me know through the comments below!

Compact Fluorescent Energy Efficient Light Bulbs for Sale at Amazon

	Feit Electric ESL40TN/D 42-Watt Compact Fluorescent High-Wattage Bulb, Daylight Sale Price: $5.99 Used From: $8.49 Average Rating:

	Feit Electric 75 Watt Daylight Compact Fluorescent Spiral CFL Light Bulbs - 6 Pack Sale Price: $7.75 Average Rating:

	Full Spectrum Light Bulb - ALZO 27W Compact Fluorescent - Case of 4 - Daylight Balanced 5500K - Pure White Light Sale Price: $21.47 Average Rating:

	Feit Electric BPESL15T/BLB 13-Watt Compact Fluorescent Twist Bulb (60-Watt Incandescent Equivalent), Black Light Blue Sale Price: $8.15 Average Rating:

	Feit 23-Watt Compact Fluorescent Spiral Light Bulb (100-Watt Incandescent Equivalent), 4-Pack Sale Price: $6.49 Average Rating:

	GE 13-Watt Energy SmartTM - 8 Pack - 60 watt replacement Sale Price: $5.89 Average Rating:

	Energy Saving Soft White 3-way Compact Fluorescent CFL Light Bulb - 12/20/26W - 3000K - pack of 2 Sale Price: $16.95

	55 watt T5 4-pin Base Biax Torchiere / Torchere Fluorescent Joyful Daylight - 2D Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Sale Price: $12.50 Average Rating:

	85 Watt Fluorescent Full Spectrum Bulb by Square Perfect Sale Price: $16.95 Average Rating:

	Energy Saving Compact Fluorescent Yellow BUG Light Bulb - CFL 13W (60W Tungsten equivalent) E26 - Pack of 4 Sale Price: $19.95 Average Rating:

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