Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 16:35.
Your numbers actually give a break-even time of 74.6 hrs per CFL: running an incandescent light for 1000hrs requires 60.29 kWh, running a CFL requires 3.38kWh per bulb+.015kWh/hr. The energy to run a CFL for 1000hrs is .015*1000=15kWh. 60.29-15=45.29kWH, so this is the amount of energy that can be devoted to producing CFLs to run for 1000hrs at the break-even point. 45.29/3.38=13.4 CFLs. 1000hrs/13.4CFLs is 74.6 hrs/CFL.
I assume that since there is such a large difference between either 50 or 74 and 8000, you considered your point to be made without finding a higher accuracy answer. I personally found your result of 50hrs to be so shocking that I had to check it.
Re: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs – A Tale From Dust to Dust
Your numbers actually give a break-even time of 74.6 hrs per CFL: running an incandescent light for 1000hrs requires 60.29 kWh, running a CFL requires 3.38kWh per bulb+.015kWh/hr. The energy to run a CFL for 1000hrs is .015*1000=15kWh. 60.29-15=45.29kWH, so this is the amount of energy that can be devoted to producing CFLs to run for 1000hrs at the break-even point. 45.29/3.38=13.4 CFLs. 1000hrs/13.4CFLs is 74.6 hrs/CFL.
I assume that since there is such a large difference between either 50 or 74 and 8000, you considered your point to be made without finding a higher accuracy answer. I personally found your result of 50hrs to be so shocking that I had to check it.