On Thu, Aug 11, 2005 at 01:08:36PM -0400, Wayne wrote:
>
> The bulbs here have a "P" or "PR" number depending on the size -- the
> most common medium one is about 5" at the wide end. IIRC, it's a
> PR30. We have 'em in the office here, and their life span is
> pathetic! (approx 4 months)
That does seem a little short. Is it possible that your office is subjected
to voltage surges?
Then again, since it's an office environment, I'm assuming those lights are
used 8-10 hours per day. If a typical bulb is rated at 2000 hours, it would
last
less than a year.
> They make a energy-saving florescent replacements with a coiled tube
> inside the regular glass cone. They're expensive, like $15 USD, but
> ours are still going after two years or more. Unfortunately, the
> light output slightly is less than a regular 65W.
I have some of these. I agree, they are expensive and they do put out a little
less light than the 65W incandescents. I lucked-out and found some on
clearance
at Home Depot at 4 bulbs for $17 I think. Frankly, I was disappointed. Since
these are reflector bulbs, I had hoped that they would be brighter than the
plain 13W fluorescent bulbs I'd been using before. Nope. I can't really tell
a difference in brightness. I'm also not fond of the pinkish hue of these
new lights.
Given that you can often find the plain 13W bulbs on clearance 5 for $10 or
better, if you don't mind the look of regular spiral bulbs in your recessed
cans, I think they're a better deal. Especially if you can find some that
have a color temperature that you like.
Jimmie
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