"Zootal" wrote in message
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"Tom Oska" wrote in message
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"Don Klipstein" wrote in message
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In ,
RickH wrote in part:

I've never had a CFL last as long as they say they
do anyway, and returning them is more hassle than its worth. I bought
9 expensive dimmable large PAR floods and all died within 8 mos, while
the old halogens next to them are going on 8 years, go figure. Those
I did return and felt like I was being waterboarded for doing so. The
new dimmable CFL's dont last very long at all from my experience, not
good if most of your wall switches are dimmers.

Are you using the CFLs in small enclosed fixtures or recessed ceiling
fixtures? Such fixtures build up heat, which CFLs do not like.

Meanwhile, CFLs tend to last longer if:

* They are of "Big 3" brand (GE, Philips or Sylvania) or they have the
Energy Star logo

* Only ones 23 watts or less are used base-up or in moderately small
enclosed fixtures, and only ones 14 watts or less are used in small
enclosed fixtures.

* Reflector flood types used in recessed ceiling fixtures are rated
specifically for use in recessed ceiling fixtures.

================================================== =============

If you are having recessed ceiling fixtures installed and they will be
using CFLs, things work better if the fixtures are ones with ballasts
and
take ballastless CFLs that have pins rather than screw bases.

- Don Klipstein )

I have over 70 CFL's installed and have just lost the second one in 7
years. It was in a water closet area and was cycled on/of about 10 times
per day. The first one , in the basement and continous on, failed after
about 5 years. I also have 4 of the pin type in recessecd cans and have
had one failure in about 3 years. Just too many variables to accurately
predict life. I have an incandescent in the pantry that is 15 years old
and is cycled about 3 times per day.

What brand of CFLs do you use? I have a few that have lasted for several
years, but at this point I would guess that I'm experiencing ~50% failure
within one year. It seems that those that survive the first year last for
several years after that. High infant mortality, and the rest live into
old age.
G.E., Sylvania, TD, and n:vision. Most are the n:vision brand that I
purchased @ the Big Orange Box. They had a sale years ago and 60W= were
n:vision at 4 for $1.85 and the 100W= were G.E. at 2 for $2.79 so I stocked
up. Still have about 20 unused. The Sylvania are bug lights used in the post
lights and outdoor brackets. I think where I got the 2-13W= TD brands was a
promotion by the co-op.