I am currently switching the bulbs in my house from normal bulbs to the fluorescent bulbs that screw into your normal fixture. I have found them for about $4 each, which is the cheapest I have seen them. The ones I bought are spiral shaped, but they also sell some that are tubular.

I purchased bulbs that are 24 watts, but put out as much light as a 100 watt bulb. They are bright!! Our house is a little dark from all the logs and dark wood, but these bulbs really make a difference. Our house has never been this bright.

They save electric as well, according to the package, over a five year period, one bulb will save $61. At one time Kadia counted the number of bulbs in our house for a 4-H project, and we had over 70 total. It is going to take some time to buy all of them, but hopefully we will see a big change in the electric consumption.

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), November 13, 2001

Answers

I hate to say this, but Kmart had them on sale (very good sale) last weekend.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

That is where I got mine, and today I looked in Wal-mart and they were $7 each!!! I had a gift certificate that I had won at a banquet (door-prize) so I really didn't spend any of my own money!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 13, 2001.

I plan on doing this, too. As a matter of fact, I plan on some being wrapped under the tree for a gift to my hubby. I have seen a price range of $4-$8 (Walmart) and I'm not sure what the difference in the bulb is?

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.net), November 13, 2001.

I am going to look at the different types a little more closely next time I am in the store. But the twisted ones seem to have a longer life, and come in higher wattage. They also cost more.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 14, 2001.

We are also (slowly) replacing our light bulbs. We are starting in the basement-it is the darkest area of the house, and also where our "shops" are-sewing room, laundry, woodworking, garage-where good light is essential. Our mainfloor is very light-we dont have lights on during the day at all, lots of (energy efficent) windows on a southern exposure and white walls.

-- Kelly in Ky (ksaderholm@yahoo.com), November 14, 2001.

Brazil had little rain for a period and the low lakes, from which most of the country's electricity is produced, decreased output. The government declared a quota, 60 or 70%, if I remember correctly, on power usage. We unplugged our microwave, replaced our shower heater with a more efficient zapper, and replaced most of our incandescent bulbs with florescent. Our bill has met the quota every month so far. Helped too that I moved my office out of the house.

-- Randal (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), November 14, 2001.