Department of Energy. There are exceptions to this rule, but the majority of CFLs are not made for dimmers yet. There are a few that already do work, but scrutinize the package to make sure. Look for products that include statements saying "for use with dimmers. Even dimmable CFLs that work on your dimmer will not dim the same way that an incandescent or halogen bulb will.
Evaluate how much you use each dimmer switch. Some people find they have dimmers on many switches in their home and they don't really use most of the dimmers. You may want to simply replace the dimmer switch with a regular switch and use regular CFLs. Recessed light fixtures and fixtures that are completely enclosed no air flow are more likely to cause early failure for most CFLs. The additional heat generated by the bulb in the enclosed fixture is too much for the ballast that is integrated into the base of the bulb.
Although the CFL will operate in these fixtures, the life of the bulb will be shortened substantially from its rated life. Many, not all, CFLs are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Check the packaging to make sure you get the kind you need.
Use CFLs labeled for use in outdoor fixtures only. CFLs will not work well in temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If you intend to use the bulbs in an environment below 20 degrees check with the distributor or manufacturer to be sure the bulbs you buy will do the job.
Don't use a CFL in a socket or fixture that is exposed to the elements unless the bulb is made for outdoor use. For exterior fixtures like the "jelly jar" type near the door, a standard spiral CFL will work but likely won't last too long because of the enclosed nature of the jelly jar globe. Find a CFL intended for use in an enclosed fixture for the jelly jars.
For outdoor floodlight fixtures with halogen lamps, there are a few CFL PAR bulbs now on the market with wattage and lumen output equivalent to a 90 watt or watt halogen PAR. Again, testing one or two is the best option to insure they deliver the quality of light you require. If a CFL is not a suitable replacement for your halogen flood then consider using a motion detector. Motion detectors save energy and money by turning on lights only when needed. All compact fluorescents contain trace amounts of mercury.
But don't worry. First of all, there is far less mercury in CFLs than in other items knocking about the house: CFLs 4 mg , thermometers mg , older thermostats 3, mg. Plus, using CFLs actually prevent mercury from being released into the air thanks to their huge energy savings. A power plant, for instance, emits about 10 mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb compared to only 2.
Recycling burnt-out CFLs is the best option. The best examples of these bulbs offer a light that is close to your old incandescent, last for a decade and don't cost very much. The worst won't last as long as our Best Buys, and won't match the claims on their packaging. Pros : Warm, soft light close to traditional incandescent, affordable, long lifetime, more energy efficient than halogens.
Cons : Can take time to brighten, difficult to dispose of, can look ugly when switched off. Test score. Find out everything you need to know about classic energy-saving CFL light bulbs.
HB Haddi Browne. In this article What are CFL lights? What are CFL light bulbs great at? What are the downsides of CFL bulbs? Should I buy CFL bulbs? Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. What Is Mercury?
Featured Video. Article Sources. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. They work by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material. Initially, LEDs only emitted red light, so their uses were limited to indicator lights and lab equipment. Now, however, they are available in the visible, ultra-violet, and infrared spectrums, which means they now have a much wider variety of uses, including inside your home.
LEDs are now available for all uses -- overhead and recessed lighting, lamps, and fixtures. They also make great indoor and outdoor holiday lights. With their high efficiency and lack of toxic mercury, LEDs are your best bet for reducing your energy bill and protecting the planet. Water is life. Some of us drink it straight from our faucet without a second thought. Others go to great lengths to buy enough jugs or bottles from the store to always have on hand. Green America's website is sponsored by Green America members and.
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