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CFL
Intelligence
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are
widely marketed as an energy-saving replacement
for incandescent bulbs—a commodity product that we’ve
used for more than 100 years. We throw incandescent
bulbs in our shopping cart with little or no thought,
and move on to the next item on our list.
If you want to save money and help
the environment by using CFLs, we applaud you!
However, “going green” sometimes requires a little
insight or planning. So, to help manage your CFL
expectations and become an informed consumer, we’ve
outlined some facts and guidelines to assist you.
The initial purchase price of a CFL is greater than an
incandescent. The CFL is not a commodity product. It
uses more complex technology and is made up of several electrical
components, unlike the incandescent bulb.
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The CFL saves you money over time because it uses less
energy, lasts longer and requires less maintenance than an
incandescent bulb, if properly applied.
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CFLs have a slight warm up period of one to three minutes before
reaching full brightness. This is not a flaw in
the technology. The slow start-up allows the CFL to maintain constant
light output while it’s operating.
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How you use the CFL will impact how long it lasts.
In a “hot” environment with little airflow around the fixture, the
life of the CFL can be shortened because heat builds up. An example of
a “hot” environment would be a recessed “can” or downlight.
However, a CFL will thrive in a table lamp application where the
fixture is exposed to airflow.
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A CFL can appear dimmer than expected. You can avoid this by using the
“Divide by 3 Rule.” A CFL requires fewer watts than an
incandescent to give off the same amount of light. Manufacturers use
a 4:1 ratio for the wattage of an incandescent relative to
a CFL. However, CFL performance can vary based on temperature and
position, so we recommend a 3:1 ratio instead. For example,
replace a 60 watt incandescent with a CFL that uses 20 watts, not
15 watts. You’ll still use only a fraction of the energy, while
avoiding the possible disappointment of a dim lamp.
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Not all CFLs can be used with a dimmer. If you intend to use the
CFL for dimming, just make sure the label on the box indicates that
it can be dimmed. The same holds true if you want a “3-way” CFL bulb
to change the level of light output in your table lamp. The label
should indicate that capability.
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The color of light provided by CFLs has its pros and cons.
CFLs are sold in different Correlated Color Temperatures (CCTs), so they can be
tailored for different decors (warm or cool). This is impossible with
an incandescent lamp. Beware, however, that color consistency can
vary for the same type and manufacturer of a CFL. Two CFLs of the
same type can look slightly different when seen side-by-side.
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Buy CFLs with the ENERGY STAR label. The label indicates that
the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US
EPA and the US DOE.
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CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury, an essential element in
CFLs that allows them to be energy efficient. ENERGY STAR recommends
that you don’t dispose of CFLs with your ordinary household
garbage and take advantage of local recycling options. If
you break a CFL by accident follow US EPA guidelines found on the
ENERGY STAR Web site at www.energystar.gov/cfls.
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Keep your receipt for your CFL purchase.
Studies show that if electronics are going to fail, it is likely to
happen early on.
For more information on the Lighting Research Center’s
residential lighting projects and research, visit
www.lrc.rpi.edu/researchAreas/residential.asp.
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