by Matt Kastner Whether you are talking about your own home or a rental property, nothing is quite so fun as replacing light bulbs. No matter how quickly and easily the change can be done, it’s amazing how long we all tend to put off such menial tasks. One of the best ways to cut down on this hassle is by using compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs instead of the traditional incandescent.
The average CFL bulb has a lifespan of around 10,000 hours. Compared to the average incandescent bulb, which has a lifespan of 1,500 hours, you can expect over 6 times the amount of usable time. That is a lot of bulb switches and time saved. Yes, CFL bulbs are more expensive, but the costs keep coming down and are now very affordable. Consider the amount of time saved not having to change bulbs multiple times a year, and the costs are well worth it.
The benefits are especially useful in areas with tall ceilings, which require lugging a ladder around the house. For landlords, CFL bulbs on all exterior, basement and other communal areas is also a good idea. Less lighting outages mean less time at the property and also less security risks from dark areas. So if you have already, the next time you buy light bulbs, grab a few CFLs. They are well worth the extra money.