Fluorescent vs. Incandescent in winter?

Question

I know that Fluorescent bulbs produce more light and less heat, but in the winter time wouldn't you want that extra heat? I have a light directly above my bed and it used to be very hot until i switched to fluorescent bulbs. Now i feel no heat at all coming off it unless i put my hand right next to it. But my question is, would it be a good idea to switch out my fluorescent bulbs to incandescent when the winter time comes around again? Maybe not all of them, but at least the 3 right above my bed to keep it warm when i want it. Doing this i would not have to run the heater as much at night because i could use the lights to keep me warm until im ready to sleep. Then i wouldn't even notice the cold around me. BTW, i live in Louisiana, so when i say cold i mean like around 50 degrees...its not like i'm going to use the light bulbs to raise it from below freezing.

Is my reasoning Green? or am i missing a few hidden elements that would cost me more?

Answer 1

Keep the CFL and toss the Incandescent in the recycle bin. the amount of heat generated by the Incandescent hardly offsets the energy savings of the CFL.

You could run the heater for a few moments before bed and still see a cost savings.

Or use another blanket turn off the heater and save even more.

Answer 2

no because the filament heater int he light bulb is extremely inefficient.. your are better off using your homes heater to heat the air.. not a light bulb

Answer 3

I agree. Especially if you use electric home heating. But if you use gas heat (or oil or wood or coal), then that heat is more efficient that using the waste heat from light bulbs. Still, if you have left over incandescent bulbs you are not using, put them back in use in winter if you don't want to just throw them away.