dont get "energy saving" bulbs

[Silver R/T]

Im sure you know of those energy saving bulbs. They look spiraled well anyways I just wanted to caution you guys out there against them. Ive had 2 so far that burned out and started smoking  and one of them even leaked strange black fluid out of it that smelled real bad. Im sure theyre big fire hazard. Ill stick with old school bulbs from now on. Its not worth saving $5 a year or whatever and have your house burned down

[Darkness]

Huh, that's the first I've seen of those. Anyways, thanks for the tip on those. I dont use them and have no need.

[Troy]

They save energy by not actually lighting up...

My guess is that they were improperly installed <insert "how many..." lightbulb joke here>

Troy

[694spdRT]

Really? We use those in all our apartment complexes and I have them in my house as well. I know there are cheap ones and then good ones. I think the ones we use cost 7 or 8$ but, we get most of them for free from the power companies through energy efficiency programs. I do not recall having any problems for the last 5 years with any of the hundreds we have in use. I did use one for a trouble light in a pinch when I did not have a regular bulb handy. Of course I dropped the light and broke it after about 2 minutes. 

[Todd Wilson]

Really? We use those in all our apartment complexes and I have them in my house as well. I know there are cheap ones and then good ones. I think the ones we use cost 7 or 8$ but, we get most of them for free from the power companies through energy efficiency programs. I do not recall having any problems for the last 5 years with any of the hundreds we have in use. I did use one for a trouble light in a pinch when I did not have a regular bulb handy. Of course I dropped the light and broke it after about 2 minutes.  

I've used those bulbs for a few years now in my house and I love them. Its saved me money every month on electrical. I have 4 ceiling fans with 5 bulbs a piece in them. Thats 20 bulbs burning when the old lady is home.  They also produce a nicer light then the regular bulbs.


They are not good for outside use unless they are in a sealed fixture or to be used on timers or photo cells.


Todd

[RD]

i have them throughout my house, maybe you were getting power surges which cause premature failure.  i know you know something about premature ejacul... i mean premature electrical dissemination in the way of increase energy flow through electrical lines hehe

[Chryco Psycho]

being flourecent they need a ballast which is a tar filled transformer so I would assume the ballast leaked the same as they often do on regular flourecent fixtures

[greenpigs]

Consider the source of the problem.

[Johnny SixPack]

...and one of them even leaked strange black fluid out of it that smelled real bad.

Did you lick it?

[Silver R/T]

no but since youve asked you can try it yourself

[derailed]

ive got them all in my house as well as my outside street lamp. All the regular ones i had out there lasted a couple of months and this one is going on a year and a half. They seem to work great for me. Are you using yours with a dimmer switch Silver because that is a no no with them.

[69_500]

WE just bought some of those yesterday. I'm hoping we don't have the same problems.

[Silver R/T]

no, just use it regularly in bedroom

[2fast4u]

   I've heard of the "off" brands giving people trouble....not like what you mentioned Silver, but the well know name brands work for us!

   I was a sceptic at first and tried just one in a place where we would go through at least 5 bulbs in 6 months....that very bulb that I've tried out....is still working till this very day and I installed it a year and one month ago (roughly).   Not bad deal for a $4.99 bulb. 

2fast

[Telvis]

I bought a bunch of those   4 or 5 years ago. They were dirt cheap on sale at Ace hardware. Something like $1 a pack.   I have them in just about every fixture. I have never had one burn out. I still have several 3 packs left.

[Silver R/T]

must be old wiring in the house or something

[Todd Wilson]

must be old wiring in the house or something

Naaa cant be the wiring. Has to be the "energy saving bulbs" that are crap!


Todd

[Charger Aficionado]

must be old wiring in the house or something

Naaa cant be the wiring. Has to be the "energy saving bulbs" that are crap!
Todd

I concur.  We've had these bulbs for almost 8-10 years it seems...  I have family members that work for the Electric company, and we got them when they first came out...  Never had one burn out.  He got the cheapies... 
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR...

[Silver R/T]

well these are name brand too, not cheap knock-off either. And bulb lasted at least 2 years but all of sudden just burned out and started smoking. We got some more around house and they work fine though