SolarDave wrote:NonToxic wrote:About 2 years ago. The wife did not like them at first now since she is used to them it's no problem.
Wives seem to be universally against them. Why?
Mine did not like the way they look. I been using them in some places for 4 years now. The newer ones work a lot better than those just 2 years old. I have tossed out the old ones. In the bathroom was the last place we still had standard lights. The wife would not let me replace her pretty round bulbs with ugly "squigle" light. A bout two months ago I found some matching round CF bulbs and they only pull 9 watts each! The standard lights were 40 watts each and she has 6 of them in the bathroom. So usage in the bathroom dropped from 240 to 54 watts when the lights are on. That was the last place other than the refer and the oven. Everywhere else we have CF or 4' long floressent. Our electric bill averages $110 per month, including a peak this year of $300 during the summer. We have a 1850 sq ft house and my wife works at home so she uses electrisity all day while she works.
I also use CF in the outside lights and keep them on motion sencors so they turn off when not in use.
I also think something that helps is our new referigator. It's a top of the line sears model that had a very low energy usage. We noticed a small drop on our bill after replacing our old one. It was 10 years old and seemed to run most of the day.
I am seriously looking in to installing a 2KW solar system on the roof in the near future. With the cost of nateral gas we are planning to cut back on heat this winter. We have switched to electric matress pads on our beds and so far have not turned on the heater.