Do CFL/LED really save energy?

Correct.

However the lamp is going to heat the total area uniformly and at a very low rate whereas Elect heater - radiators can go more for a zonal heating - at a high rate.

Anyway the incandescant lamp heat will not be enough for you, since the amount of heat it produces is likely to be lost at -8^oC through normal insulation losses.

Many thanks for your reply! The -8C here is much warmer than last week's -15!

The zoning isn't precise enough to make it feel 'balmy'.

Just wanted confirmation on my thoughts: "Change to efficient lighting, & you'll save the Earth!" is not fully accurate. Much more study is req'd; individual solutions for individual needs.

I work with silver, which tarnishes readily if exposed to cold and damp. Wierd things happen to the temper as well, if the temperature fluctuates to the colder extremes. I find that incandescent task lighting is a best choice for me, as it adds that little bit of heat as well, right to the place where I need it.

So although I 've been using compact fluorescents for general lighting for 15 years, I am with you on this: that there are contexts where the dissipation of some heat is a good thing in a light! (and it's also true, the incandescent light is better for task and easier on my eyes....)

From a strictly practical heat cost pov, I guess compare voltage vs amperage of a light bulb vs your heaters, where lower voltage = higher amperage, and therefore power cost...

The home aquarium, I prefer incandescant (assuming that the fishes will prefer them of course) it keeps them nice warm and happy , though never seen them nor .

If you use incandescents for winter light with the beneficial side effect of extra heating, what are you going to do in summer? Or perhaps your nights are still cool enough to need heat?

I agree, however, that blanket "solutions" foisted on people by well meaning individuals/organizations frequently have unintended side effects.

I am thinking here of the push to legislate to outlaw incandescent bulbs and force the use of "energy efficient" lighting.

Perhaps W.S Gilbert got it right in "Iolanthe"

"And while the house of peers withholds, it's legislative hand,

And noble statesmen do not itch, to interfere in matters which they do not understand,

As bright shall shine Great Britains rays, as in King Gearge's glorious days..."

Enough raving

Sceptic: You caught my meaning. There are often several solutions to any problem. Some critical thought to weed through to the best gives the most satisfaction.

BTW: do not need the heating component during summertime, but, we are blessed w/ long daylight then, too. Most of the indoor illumination is not required.

Amen to critical thought. It's exactly the mentality of the "blanket solution" that gives rise to holier-than-thou nonsense, or huge environmental errors like subsidizing the switch to cultivating corn for energy on a massive scale.

Try wearing a leather jacket bought second hand and lasting for 20 years. "Green ignorance" is wearing a synthetic jacket that will have to be replaced every year or two years because they fall apart. Which one costs the environment? Notwithstanding the facts when you think it through and calculate, the wearer of the leather will have to bear the scorn of the righteous, who, lets face it, don't reason their actions and just want a set of rules they can follow without thinking.

I did the energy saving calculations a few months ago. Here are the rough results from memory:

For all the warm places using AC six months a year, CFL lamps save as much as 20-30 dollars over their life span if they don't fail early.

For a place where you heat 6 month a year, cool 2 months, you will get your money back from the CFL eventually but it is not worth the trouble if you prefer the warmth of the incandescent lights.

Arctic circle residents: Don't bother.

I live in a warm place and use CFL lamps.

Don't believe the life claims. I have had them fail in as little as a year.

I use daylight lamps when I can get them because I like the quality of the light and prefer it to the "warm white" incandescents give.

I think that is my main reason for using these lamps although they have made a small difference to my power bill. Air con dominates in summer, so the saving is quite small.

I must admit my family are slack about turning off lights when not needed. Doing this would make more difference than anything else.

The heat from the incandescents was not noticed, but in a cold climate it should make a small contribution, although in those conditions I suppose every bit helps.

When you do the sums, a bulb will contribute 100W while a CFL will probably contribute 20W, a net addition of 80W. This is minor compared to the 2KW+ which a normal electric heater will contribute. (I know, we have to use one about 5 nights a year, when the min temp falls below about 15C - we do get cold weather here)

Reverse cycle air con may be a more efficient heating solution.

There are lots of GA's to this post already, I just wanted to throw the LED wrench into the mix. Run your incandescents in the winter to help your heater and then switch to LED's in the summer to help your AC since they only generate a minute amount of heat. Of course you have to be prepared to drop a wad of cash on them but they should last at least 10 years, more if you're only using them seasonally... and they come in shades of white that are less unpleasant then that lovely pulsing green fluorescent lighting we all know and... love?