The Blog Push for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

What we have found is that A-Shape Cold Cathode bulbs work really well in ceiling fans. They are not going to be near as bright as higher wattage CFL’s but they cast a good warm light.

Here is a link to a product page if you want to check them out.

http://www.soslightbulbs.com/shop/customer/home.php?cat=1703

LED lighting has long life. It can go up to 10 years and never burn off !!! but don’t you know if you use it for a couple years, it gets a lot dimmer!!!!! The good thing is we don’t have to keep replacing but for 10 years you will spend money as much as you spend for regular lighting.To buy LED lighting product is better than try to get custom make because it’s alot cheaper. I found it out from http://www.lunaraccents.com

a standard CFl with a color temp of 2700k should be the same color as a 120 volt incandecent bulb

Instead of switching to CFL bulbs that contain mercury, its now time to switch to LED bulbs that last longer without mercury toxins of CFL, and they are now at a much lower price than before

http://LED.section9tech.com

I do think CFLs are great for table lamps and closets, but who wants to feel like their in an office building when they get home?

Dimmers are a great way of saving energy! There is alot of dimming info on the web (check lutron.com/energy) and not only do you get engery and CO2 savings, but you get the option of setting the light level as you desire. CFLs can not be dimmed, even though some claim they can. The problem is the way dimmers work. In simple terms, dimmers shut your lights on and off around 120 times a second. What we preceive as dimming is actually the dimmer keeping your lights off longer in that on-off cycle. The dimmer the lights, the longer your lights are off, the more electricity you save, and the longer your bulb lasts ( potentially greater than 20x its normal switched life) The problem with CFLs is that the balast inside the bulb is also controling when the lamp is fired (using electricity) and that will always conflict with dimmers. One CFL manufacturer actually said they can be dimmed using a reastat dimmer. These things have been unavailable since the 70s when solid state dimming was coming of age (again check lutron who invented solid state dimming).

Ok, so no dimming them. Another problem is installing these bulbs in down fixtures. The heat generated by the bulb with rise through the base where the ballast is located and shorten the life of that bulb significantly. Having to replace a CFL every 6-10 months is not a great way to cut your lighting costs. So now we have to replace all our downward facing fixtures with flourescent fixtures with externally mounted balasts. Should i keep going?

Ok so you know that painting or picture we have lit with the sweet looking track fixture? well now we have use flourescent lamps… how do we aim the beam of light on the picture? You can’t (yet)! flourescent lights distribute light throughout the whole survace of the lamp. They can’t focus light like incandescent or some LED lamps can. I could go on and on but i will stop it here.

There simply is not enough research being done by these law-makers to justify the termination of incandescent lamps. I am 100% for cutting green house gases and lighting is a huge component of that, but i am also expecting these law-makers to do their homework before jumping to a quick solution!

T. G., I am going to have to disagree with you. There are CFLs that will dim.

You are correct when you say that crop of ‘dimmable’ CFLs on the market are less than compatible with available dimmers. The lighting controls companies that you mention (Lutron, etc.) have a vested interest in not catering to the needs of the CFL market and their disinterest in advancing their own technology is hurting the consumer, limiting the consumer’s options when it comes to lightbulb choice. The ‘big three’ lighting companies (GE, Sylvania, and Phillips) are just as guilty. The margins on Incandescent bulbs are much higher than those on CFLs, and in the interests of corporate profits these companies are slow to innovate beyond the bare minimum mandated by governments and the media. The myriad consumer complaints about CFLs (light color, start-up time, dimmability, etc.) all stem from these companies’ unwillingness to really invest in technology that in helping preserve global energy resources may negatively impact their bottom line.

To my main point: There are companies who are working to change this paradigm, who have created and are working to create technologies that meet consumer needs. There are the TCPs of the world who make 1.4 million CFLs a day and are leading the way toward CFL adoption. There are also small companies, like a company called PureSpectrum, who have invented CFL dimmers and fully dimmable CFLs. People are making dimmable CFLs that work, you just have to look for them.

see http://www.purespectrumlighting.com for their press releases on dimmable CFLs

One thing that is often not covered in articles is their so-called longevity. The news media, pushing these things, will use the statement of the manufacturers that they will last 7 – 11 years… to this I say BUNK! They are NOT very reliable! I have lost more than a dozen CFB’s in the last three years. I am now keeping track of the so-called warranty (7 – 11 years depending on brand) – something one should not have to do on something that is so low cost (~$4/bulb) but you’re forced to as they are so very much more expensive than standard bulbs and they fail frequently. The last one I had fail was yesterday. The power went out in a storm four times for about 5 seconds each time – the bulb was on – it now does not work. I think the public needs to be informed that these things are NOT as reliable as they’re made out to be!!!! EVERYONE seems to promote “cost savings” and “they last so long” when the reality seems quite different from this. The whole justification tends to go away unless you exercise the warranty.

Very interesting. As a company, we at Superior Lighting are always looking for new ways to become more eco friendly. We offer energy efficient light bulbs and lighting solutions and work with vendors on sound packaging methods.  What else can we do?
Thanks,

As i know its best to opt LED or Standard light bulbs rather than going with Fluorescent Light Bulbs to save power.So i hope this will do.

Well, CFL bulbs are really the best bulbs. And the regarding post really discloses the best of incredibility about it. And I am really surprised to know about it. And this one is extremely looking one of the ebst experienced post about Compact Fluorescent light bulbs. Thanks for sharing some exceptional information about it.

Lights grow