Two of the CFL bulbs on the chandelier have gone out -

[hedgehog]

is it time to go with LEDs, or should I stick with the CFLs for a while?

Our CFLs have a sleeve made from a plastic pipe to cover the base, giving them the aspect of a pillar candle. How hot does the base of an LED bulb get?

[PoliticAverse]

1. Check the lumen rating on the LED equivalents you see in the stores

and compare it with the CFLs. The LED base shouldn't get as hot as the CFL base.
IF you decide on the LEDs buy one and try it out first. Note the color of the light
will likely differ from the CFL you already have. The LEDs will likely be more
expensive than the CFLs but will probably last longer.

[hedgehog]

2. I'm seeing some pretty comparable lumen ratings and prices.

If the LEDs are going to get a tad brighter, then I'll wait. What's out there now seems pretty acceptable.

[johnd83]

3. CFLs are really not very environmentally friendly

They contain mercury and don't last as long as advertised. Add in the shipping and you might as well use standard light bulbs or make the jump to LED.

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. If disposed of properly - not a big deal

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And they DO last quite long if used as intended.

CFLs have a ballast - takes 5 - 10 minutes for them to reach their efficiency level, so are not suitable for rooms like closets where the light is turned on and off frequently. Frequent interruptions reduce the life of the ballast.

Standard lights have a filament, deteriorate with vibration as in ceiling fans, bathroom exhaust fans, or basement lights with a traffic area above it that deteriorates the strength of the filament.

Most of my CFLs last well over 5 years, EXCEPT the ones I put in places where I only use the light for a few minutes.

I have been using mostly CFLs for almost a decade, but still use standard incandescents for those rooms where I only light up occasionally.

CFLs are relatively inexpensive now, I will continue with them until the cost of LEDs drop, and they WILL drop in the very near future.

LEDs do not suffer from frequent on and off cycles, or vibration, so will indeed be a better choice in the near future.

Solar people are the ones that will be gobbling up the LEDs - they take much less electricity,

so as solar increases in popularity (and it will) the price of LEDs will go down as productivity increases to meet the demand.

Remember - many have limited budgets, so initial cost is an important criteria.

But yes, unlimited budget?

LEDs it is.

CC