Longview Hills @ Newport Oregon

A Light for you to contemplate


Our home toward the end of Windmill and our neighbor have new light bulbs. Soon, I hope to have 4 of them grouped .. 2 across the street. The idea is to give everyone a demonstration that they can see if these new lights make sense to upgrade to.

The two lights you will see in our post lights in the front yard, are the circular tube fluorescent style bulbs (Compact Fluorescent... CFL) that are being touted by the power company (PUD) . Normally, you should use a 40 watt incandescent light bulb. That is what the fixture is rated for. The rating is for the socket inside because that is what heat it has been made to be able to withstand. Also, incandescent bulbs put out a great deal of heat. Over time the bulb may cause cracking of the globe if it is over 40 watts due to heat.

Generally speaking, you may think that these lights are of the bright, harsh, white style some people are using in the park. That is not the case however. The lights are soft white which is the same color that most home use bulbs are. They cost double what incandescent bulbs cost. They are touted to last up to 9 years which is probably wishful thinking. The big deal is cost of operation and equivalent light output.

In my yard and in Sue Hayes yard next door we are using 23 watt CFL bulbs... The equivalent light given off is equal to a 100 watt incandescent bulb. So here is the math... If you use a 23watt CFL to replace a 40watt incandescent bulb ... you are using 1/2 the power you used before and are getting 2 and 1/2 times the light for 9 years without replacement.

Now, about the brightness... You need to think with a great deal of consideration before you install a brighter light in your post. To the Positive side you get more light for less $$... It may be a deterrent to burglars and may help people walk your paths.

On the negative side you may be shining a bright light into a neighbor's window which may be a source of irritation.. in that case my best advice, do not do it.

For another point of interest.. Wayde Dudley on Evergreen at the end of Windmill has installed a CFL using only 13 watts but an equivalent light of a 40 watt incandescent bulb. Claimed it will last 5 years. So they are getting the same light for about 3 times less than they were paying for before.