CFLs Suck Update

There is quite a bit of anecdotal evidence that CFLs can cause seizures, rashes and cancer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_lamps_and_health

I know some people who "hate the light" from CFLs.   Since the color problems have been mostly solved, I think the subliminal flickering is what they object to.

Unfortunately, these problems are also shared with high performance T5 & T8 fluorescent tubes, which are very efficient and economical.  Affordable and long lasting LED tube replacement bulbs are coming eventually, so I'd still recommend tube fixtures where appropriate.

Lighting Efficiency Summary, 2011

This list is taken directly from a Martin Holladay article at GBA:

Here are some relative lamp efficiencies:

• "Indancescent bulbs produce about 14 to 17 lumens per watt.
• Low-cost LEDs produce about 15 to 25 lumens per watt.
• High-quality LEDs produce about 40 to 70 lumens per watt.
• CFLs produce about 48 to 60 lumens per watt.
• T-5 and T-8 linear fluorescent tubes produce about 98 to 105 lumens per watt."

And I just found this increased efficiency LED bulb that kicks out 94.4 lumens/watt:

  

http://www.amazon.com/Incandescent-Replacement-Illumination-G7-Power/dp/B005FU5406/ref=pd_cp_hi_3

Even though in the article Martin states:

• "For now, screw-based CFLs are the best bulb choice for residential lighting.", I think LEDs have just reached the tipping point.