Costco stocks these energy saving bulbs regularly and periodically promotions from energy companies makes these bulbs very economical to purchase. We have been using these bulbs extensively on our electric sockets controlled by normal switches – these do not work with dimmer switches as explained in one of our previous articles.
The bulbs come in a variety of wattage ratings and replacement ratings and we have had experience with most of the available replacement options – 40W, 60W, 100W, and 125W. These products boast a good warranty of one year from the time of purchase. The catchy claims on their packaging adds to their appeal – “Lasts up to 7 years” and “This bulb lasts 10 times longer than a standard 750 hour bulb”. Sadly, in our experience, all these claims are inaccurate and the bulbs are inferior in quality. Further, this experience does not seem solitary as the reviews on the net are less than glowing. None of the bulbs we purchased were able to make it past a year of normal use. Some succumbed much earlier. Of course, the warranty is good on paper, but in a practical sense worthless as it requires you to ship it back to their headquarters for a replacement. Given that the per-unit cost of the product is low, this additional step involved is not worth your time as the shipping charge outweighs the value of the product.
For our part, we are seriously going to consider our options in lighting, even though the PG&E promotion accompanying the product purchase in our area does makes it look lucrative.
Update: Dimmable CFL bulbs are now available and the ones from GE are regarded as very good quality.
Last Updated: 10/08
9 Comments::
i dont necessarily agree. i have not had any problems so far with these exact bulbs. and i just read in consumer reports that 2 of the 5 best bulbs out of over 600 in their test were this kind.
Our experience with these bulbs has been HORRIBLE. They die within days sometimes. For our Hampton Bay ceiling lamp we have had to replace the three bulbs at least 5 times over EACH within the last year. We had the light fixture replaced and we are having the same problems with the bulbs so I am convinced that these bulbs are a total waste of money and time. If the lamp didn't require an intermediate base bulb, we'd switch in a heart beat.
Pat in Redondo Beach CA
These bulbs are rediculously bad! I have replace nearly all traditional bulbs with Feit bulbs and all purchased at Costco over the past 2 years. A conservative estimate is that 50% of the bulbs have failed; some within days while others have lasted a year or more. There is no rhyme or reason... some work while others do not. No dimming or 3-way fixtures so this is not a factor. The only thing that keeps me buying is the Costco return policy. When they die, I return them (groups of 10 to fill a 13watt box) no questions asked. The good news is that I do not have to worry about disposal. Did I mention a letter to feit and Costco was not responded to?!?!
I've had bad luck with the CFL's that I've installed in recessed lighting fixtures. They burn out in 1 year with about 2 hours a day use. However, they have sent me replacement bulbs every time. Call 800 543 FEIT.
Dear onefamilysblog.com,
I am a company representative and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter with you personally. Can you please email me directly at jay@feit.com?
Thank you,
Jay Matsueda
I agree. I purchased a package of Feit bulbs- one was broken and the others thus far have had very poor durability (under 6 months)
I would never recommend these bulbs.
FB Meyer
Hi. Thank you Blog! It didn't occur to my I could return my bulbs to Costco.
My bulbs have had a shorter than expected lifespan, but no one's mentioned that they could still be worthwhile based on the low price, and the savings in electric costs, and the cost of energy use to the environment. They claim I can save $93 per bulb. Even if they've exaggerated the electric cost I pay, and the usage of a traditional bulb, there still could be a substantial savings? Let's see, I have 18 bulbs in my apartment and if I save $50 each/2 years, that should save $450/year ($820 if $93/bulb). My actual electric use is something like $600+/year, not all lighting. Well, they've probably exaggerated the savings, (I don't know what I would be paying in electric) as they did the lifespan, but it's probably quite worthwhile compared to traditional incandescent bulbs the savings are 1/10 what they say. I'm not sure about the pollution cost of the bit of mercury. Maybe soon LED's will solve that problem(?).
I recorded on some bulbs dates:
23 watt bulbs lasted this many months: 13, 5, 8, 6, 11 (8.6 months average). Honestly in the main area they're probably on > 3hrs/day, so if it's 6 hrs/day then they warranty 1 year. Still, they don't meet their claims, but may still be very worthwhile in electric savings and cost, and possibly environmental damage. Better than traditional incandescent, but it's possible competing fluorescent would last longer and put less mercury in the environment (?, or, maybe not).
Absolutely agree with the poor quality of FEIT bulbs. After one premature failure I dated the replacement and it lasted only 8 months. It's in an open fixture and on no more than 10 hours a day. When I called FEIT I was told that the warranty is from date of purchase not date of use and I was out of warranty. Maybe someone can explain how you will use all of the bulbs in a multi-bulb pack within 2 years.
Absolutely agree with all the others who have had terrible short-life problems with these FEIT CFLs.
I have the PAR-38 floodlight bulbs in rececessed can light fixtures, do not dim them, and they get maybe 4-8 hours of use a day. After the first one failed within months, I started to write the date of installation with a Sharpie on the bulb bases whenever I had to put a new one in.
The replacement bulbs would also fail within months, sometimes in about 3 months; definitely nowhere near the years-of-savings life alluded to on the packaging claims.
It has become more cost-effective to buy old school throwaway bulbs than to buy these expensive CFLs that do not even last as long.
I'm taking them all back to Costco and showing them my marked installation dates to get a refund.
Hey, Jay Matsueda of FEIT, if you're still reading this blog, you need to check your suppliers - their poor quality bulbs are dragging your company's reputation through the mud.
At this point, I will NEVER buy any FEIT-branded bulbs again and will warn everyone I know not to waste their time (and money) either.
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