High Efficiency Light Bulbs (CFL) - Provide 13W or 26W?

[Nir]

Hi All,

I plan to provide each tenant with 2 high efficiency light bulbs (CFL), 13W. My question is are 2 light
bulbs per tenant enough (1 & 2 bedroom apartments)? Is 13W enough (vs. 26W which is more expensive)?

THANKS.
Neil
PS. you guessed it... I pay hydro

 

[realfortin]

QUOTE (investmart @ Nov 10 2008, 11:25 AM) Hi All,

I plan to provide each tenant with 2 high efficiency light bulbs (CFL), 13W. My question is are 2 light
bulbs per tenant enough (1 & 2 bedroom apartments)? Is 13W enough (vs. 26W which is more expensive)?

THANKS.
Neil
PS. you guessed it... I pay hydro

Instead of just 2, I would replace as many as they let me. Mention your concern with the environment and ask if they will allow you to change some bulbs. Change a lot of them, especially in places where they get left on a lot. Don`t put them anywhere with dimmers as they are incompatible.



When you buy a lot of these, try to get the ones that are very compact so they can be put into a bigger variety of light fixtures.


As to what wattage? Well, if a 13W replaces a 40 and a 26 replaces a 60(I can`t remember exactly) then replace that bulb with its equivalent. Otherwise if you replace a 60watt with a 40 watt equivalent then it won`t be as bright and the tenant will replace it and throw it out as soon as you walk out the door. The price difference between a 13 and a 26 is peanuts. If you are nickel and dime-ing it that much I would hate to be your tenant <smirk>

Costco has awesome deals on quality CFLs in boxes of 10 or so.

Real

 

[HeatherBrandt]

QUOTE (investmart @ Nov 10 2008, 11:25 AM) Hi All,

I plan to provide each tenant with 2 high efficiency light bulbs (CFL), 13W. My question is are 2 light
bulbs per tenant enough (1 & 2 bedroom apartments)? Is 13W enough (vs. 26W which is more expensive)?

THANKS.
Neil
PS. you guessed it... I pay hydro


Hi Neil,

We usually replace all the bulbs at vacancy. We tend to use the 26w (if it fits) to get sufficient light, especially if it`s the only light fixture in the room. The 13w is supposed to replace a 60w bulb but it doesn`t have the same kind of direct light (in my opinion) as a regular bulb. I think the ones giving a "white" light are the best. We try to use as compact bulbs as possible and buy in bulk. In a common area/outside I guess you have to balance whether good light is best (safety/curb appeal) with the fact that it will probably be left on 24/7.


Kind of a nice extra step to give bulbs to the tenant. I`m amazed how many tenants will live in a dark suite rather buy (any kind) a light bulb.

Heather

 

[invst4profit]

Probably a good idea to do a walk through before tenants move out and change all the bulbs back to standard or exiting tenants may do it for you.

 

[wealthyboomer]

Look for the Highest Lumens with the Lowest wattage for replacements.
Not all wattage replacements create the same light level as that which you are trying to replace.

 

[Nir]

Thank You Everyone!

Will do...

Regards, Neil

 

[JohnS]

QUOTE (realfortin @ Nov 10 2008, 02:20 PM) Instead of just 2, I would replace as many as they let me. Mention your concern with the environment and ask if they will allow you to change some bulbs. Change a lot of them, especially in places where they get left on a lot. Don`t put them anywhere with dimmers as they are incompatible.


I like the idea of providing these kinds of bulbs, although apparently they do have some problems, like they might be harder to dispose of than `regular` ones. However, I`m about 80% sure that there are now some that can be used with dimmers, just like there are now some that can be used outdoors. The technology has come pretty far since they first came out.

And speaking of technology, does anything know anything about the....I don`t even know what they`re called.....the digital ones, for lack of a better term? (This is going to be one of those things where if you know what I`m talking about, you`ll know what I`m talking about, and if you don`t, you`ll just think I`m crazy. But I`m ok with that!)

Have a good one, all!

JohnS

 

[wealthyboomer]

QUOTE (JohnS @ Nov 10 2008, 02:35 PM) And speaking of technology, does anything know anything about the....I don`t even know what they`re called.....the digital ones, for lack of a better term? (This is going to be one of those things where if you know what I`m talking about, you`ll know what I`m talking about, and if you don`t, you`ll just think I`m crazy. But I`m ok with that!)

Have a good one, all!

JohnS

Do you mean `LED`?

 

[JohnS]

QUOTE (wealthyboomer @ Nov 10 2008, 10:53 PM) Do you mean `LED`?


That sounds familiar. Is it more commonly associated with computer tech than standard light bulb tech?

Have a good one!

JohnS

 

[wealthyboomer]

QUOTE (JohnS @ Nov 10 2008, 11:33 PM) That sounds familiar. Is it more commonly associated with computer tech than standard light bulb tech?

Have a good one!

JohnS

My understanding is that LED`s are slowly coming into the marketplace and will be next to replace the CFL`s.

LEDs have been in use for a while on digital clocks, watches and car dashboards. They are also now being used in desk lamps, art galleries and Christmas lights. LED bulbs can use 20 to 50 times less energy than incandescent bulbs and may last for 20 years.

In terms of replacing incandescent bulbs, LED lights do not currently meet cost or technical requirements, but this is most likely to change in the next couple of years as research develops.
Keep your eyes open for LED bulbs as they are coming down the pike, as they say, and will change the way we all illuminate our world.

 

[JohnS]

QUOTE (wealthyboomer @ Nov 11 2008, 02:16 AM) My understanding is that LED`s are slowly coming into the marketplace and will be next to replace the CFL`s.

LEDs have been in use for a while on digital clocks, watches and car dashboards. They are also now being used in desk lamps, art galleries and Christmas lights. LED bulbs can use 20 to 50 times less energy than incandescent bulbs and may last for 20 years.

In terms of replacing incandescent bulbs, LED lights do not currently meet cost or technical requirements, but this is most likely to change in the next couple of years as research develops.
Keep your eyes open for LED bulbs as they are coming down the pike, as they say, and will change the way we all illuminate our world.

That sounds like what I had been thinking of, then.

Thanks, and have a good one!

JohnS