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    geeboy6415's Avatar
    geeboy6415 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    May 15, 2010, 05:10 PM
    Suppose a typical 60-watt incandescent light bulb costs $0.51 and lasts 900 hours...
    Does it make financial sense... Suppose a typical 60-watt incandescent light bulb costs $0.55 and lasts 800 hours. A 15-watt CFL, which provides the same light, costs $3.45 and lasts for 9,900 hours. A kilowatt-hour of electricity costs $0.117. A kilowatt-hour is 1,000 watts for 1 hour. You require a 17 percent return and use a light fixture 450 hours per year. Suppose you have a residence with a lot of incandescent bulbs that are used on average 450 hours a year. The average bulb will be about halfway through its life, so it will have 450 hours remaining (and you can't tell which bulbs are older or newer).

    At what cost per kilowatt-hour does it make sense to replace your incandescent bulbs today?
    cdad's Avatar
    cdad Posts: 12,700, Reputation: 1438
    Internet Research Expert
     
    #2

    May 15, 2010, 05:32 PM

    Part of the problem that may be missing here is the cost of disposal of a CFL. If you're a business and you break a reguler light bulb it goes in the trash. So disposal costs are minimal. But a CFL you can't (or shouldnt) do that with.. There is a hidden cost feature to the bulbs. So the real cut off is when its actually worth it to make the move. And depending on usage and how wide spread they are in use will make all the difference. In your average houshold there isn't that many bulbs.
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #3

    May 15, 2010, 08:14 PM

    I think this question should be posted in different Forum...
    CHayn's Avatar
    CHayn Posts: 177, Reputation: 10
    Junior Member
     
    #4

    May 16, 2010, 06:25 AM

    This question was on my daughters ACT test! LOL
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #5

    May 17, 2010, 10:42 AM

    OH WOW! Thank God I never have to see another standardized test again (hopefully).

    I can usually find CFL's for $1ea or less.

    I just replace all incandescent bulbs right away. Start saving on my light bill immediately.

    And I've always put CFL's in the garbage, I never knew you had to dispose of them specifically.
    cdad's Avatar
    cdad Posts: 12,700, Reputation: 1438
    Internet Research Expert
     
    #6

    May 17, 2010, 12:43 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ceilingfanrepair View Post
    OH WOW! Thank God I never have to see another standardized test again (hopefully).

    I can usually find CFL's for $1ea or less.

    I just replace all incandescent bulbs right away. Start saving on my light bill immediately.

    And I've always put CFL's in the garbage, I never knew you had to dispose of them specifically.
    Here you go.

    Ref:

    http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutDlm_...d_Disposal.pdf
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
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    #7

    May 17, 2010, 06:56 PM
    ceilingfanrepair... I believe only California has a recycle plan in place for comsumer use of CFL's. California as usual is the exception to common sense.
    cdad's Avatar
    cdad Posts: 12,700, Reputation: 1438
    Internet Research Expert
     
    #8

    May 17, 2010, 07:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Missouri Bound View Post
    ceilingfanrepair....I believe only California has a recycle plan in place for comsumer use of CFL's. California as usual is the exception to common sense.
    I wonder if over 6 pages of recycling centers in Missouri means they might have one there too??

    Recycling centers for “CFL” near “missouri” Within 5 miles 10 miles 25 miles 50 miles 100 miles

    All Listings Map View Curbside Programs Mail-In
    Edele & Mertz Hardware Co1.5 mi. Location

    Etc

    Ref:

    CFL near missouri - Recycling Centers - Earth911.com
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
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    #9

    May 17, 2010, 07:17 PM
    I'll rephrase.. I believe only California has a MANDATED recycle plan for consumer use of CFL's. And FYI, recycling is big business, with it's major purpose to make money for the recyclers, not save the environment. Government mandated plans usually cost more in the long run. A perfect example was the "cars for cash" or Clunker program.

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