Is Fluorescent Lighting Better Than Your Standard Light Bulb?

CFL’s use approximately 1/4 the amount of energy needed to power an equivalent incandescent lamp.

CFL’s (compact fluorescent light) produce light differently than a normal light bulb (incandescent). If you had a lightbulb that was 100 watts, your replacement CFL would be approx. 25 watts.

That is where you will save money on your electric bill. The CFL lamp is more expensive than an incandescent to purchase, but is less expensive to use and maintain. It does have some heat as output but nothing near as much as an incandescent. CFL’s have become more popular with the availability of bulbs for different tasks; dimmable, 3 way, flood, spot and chandelier style. They are also more “easy on the eyes” with the availability of incandescent style light; cool white, brite white, daylight, etc.

There are even more energy efficient fluorescent tubes to replace the standard T12 (common ordinary tube lights). Those replacements are called T8 which emit 35% more light and are more energy efficient. (The T12 & T8 denote the diameter of the lamp T12 = 12/8 of an inch and T8 = 8/8 of an inch.  Lamps are measured in terms of its diameter and I will leave it at that.)

Useful CFL Tips

1. When a lamp states a lifetime, such as 5000 hours, that means that in a controlled test, 1/2 of the lamps tested lasted over 5000 and 1/2 didn’t make it to 5000 hours, so, you may have the lucky lamp that lasted that long.  Does that make sense?  Your lamps longevity will be affected by the following items.
2. Never screw in your bulb by the tubing.  Always use the ballast.
3. Keep your lamps on for at least 15 minutes before turning them off.
4. If you use them in an enclosed fixture, the little heat that they do produce will have an effect of reducing lifetime.
5. The last longer when installed in a fixture that has the lamp with the tube facing up, not down.
6. Always enclose them when using as an outside treatment.
7. Use the right bulb for the right purpose; dimmable for dimmer switch, 3 way for 3 way fixture, etc.

So, I think it’s time to wrap up this discussion on CFL’s. Next time, we will talk about the new kid on the block…..LED (light emitting diodes). Have you seen how much those puppies cost? Until next time.

Peace – Out

theenergymi$er