manchicken here…

So, I’ve been slowly replacing my normal incandescent and halogen bulbs in favor of compact-fluorescent bulbs, and I’m quickly finding out that there is so much more to it than just going and grabbing any bulb and putting it in. The type of CFL bulb you should use could vary greatly based on the specific purpose it will be serving. I’m taking my time now to help you learn from my frustration.

Most CFL bulbs are not for use in dimmers
This one actually kinda surprised me at first. It never occurred to me that this would be an issue, but it most certainly is. I’ve heard a handful of folks that say that dimming a non-dimable CFL could result in overheating, but the folks over at EnergyStar just say that it will reduce the life of the bulb.

Some CFL bulbs are not for use in enclosed fixtures
I’m guessing that this is a heat-exchange issue, but the 20W bulbs that are to replace 75W and 100W bulbs have stamped all over them that they’re not to be used in dimmers, or recessed or enclosed fixtures. I didn’t learn this one until I had been up on my ladder for twenty minutes replacing bulbs in exterior enclosed fixtures and then decided to read the fine print on the bulb.

With CFL bulbs, you get what you pay for
GE and Phillips make excellent CFL lamps. Sylvania also makes a decent CFL bulb. Stay away from the no-name bulbs. They tend to have lower output and shorter lifespan. They also tend to contain more mercury.

CFL bulbs *DO* contain mercury, so dispose of them thoughfully
I live in the boonies, and I’ll be the first to tell you that recycling is hard to find… but it’s well worth the trouble. I’ve had several folks tell me that the levels of mercury in GE’s CFL bulbs are low enough to dispose of in a landfill, but what about when you get several households throwing out these bulbs? The concentrations become much greater. We need to be recycling these bulbs and it is possible. Most areas have an organization (the EPA in the US) that have hazardous materials pickups for things like harsh solvents, thinners, mercury containing thermostats, etc. These are usually a good place to leave your bulbs, or you can check out http://www.earth911.org for a recycling location in your area.

Look at the lumen output, it will make a difference
When you choose a CFL bulb, don’t just look at the manufacturer’s wattage-equivalence rating. Yeah, that’s a nice piece of information, but it shouldn’t play a role in your purchase. Here are four questions you need to ask yourself when buying a CFL bulb:

1. Is the lumen output comparable to the lumen output of the bulb you are replacing? If not, is a drop in output acceptable for this application? Don’t put a dim bulb somewhere that will just end up requiring another lamp to make up the difference.
2. Is the wattage savings worth it? It is possible to end up with a CFL bulb that will not save enough electricity to warrant switching.
3. Is the bulb suitable for the fixture you’re going to put in it? There are dimable bulbs and bulbs that are suitable for pretty much every application, you just have to find it. It can take some time, so be patient and make sure you’re getting a bulb that fits your application. You’ll be much happier with it.
4. Will the bulb physically fit into the fixture? Some CFL bulbs are just too tall for their own good. G.E. actually makes their 13W bulbs in a more compact and a less compact variety. The more compact variety is about $3 more expensive–which is a lot–so make sure you’re getting the one you need.

It’s hard to find a good reason not to switch to these bulbs. They save oodles of juice, and they save you money in the long-run. They’re environmentally friendly when recycled, and they’re becoming more and more attractive in more areas. They even have decorative CFL bulbs for chandeliers and more decorative light fixtures. Although, if you can find an LED lamp that will meet a need better or just as well as a CFL, opt for the LED. They don’t have mercury and they’re more easily general purpose. They’re just more expensive and more difficult to find.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 at 12:14 and is filed under Environment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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