Who has CFL's in their home?

[davester]

Since we run our house on solar powerr, one of the first things we did was reduce demand by switching to CFLs as much as possible. We probably have about 70% cfl. The areas where we don't use them are vanity lights, a few dimmable halogen spotlights, and some preexisting 12v halogen lights. It does take a little bit of experimentation to find the right lights for the job, and there is too little info available on specific bulbs (i.e. which ones are instant on, what the color temperatre is, ability to fit fixtures, etc), but that is a miniscule price to pay given the huge environmental benefit we all derive from them. The bottom line is basically that it costs you nothing (when you consider replacement costs) to cut your lighting energy usage by 70% by switching to CFLs.

[Racer X]

Mavic, they aren't really outside rated (as in cold) unless they say so on the package, or possibly screened onto the base as well.

Also, most CF bulbs aren't for closed enclosure use unless they say so.

When you use fixture of this type, they hold all the heat inside, and it will build up. Incandescent bulbs are obviously built to take high heat, but the circuitry in the average CF bulb isn't.



These actually have insulation in their base to insulate the ceiling from the heat of the bulbs. This causes all of it to stay inside the fixture.

I have a normal CF bulb in my enclosed porch light. But since it is so cool 8 months out of the year here at night, it isn't that big of a deal, and the metal acts as a decent heat sink anyway.

[jdc]

we only have 1, does that make me bad?

mostly because all of the lights in our house are either flood or decorative

we only have a couple of normal shaped bulbs in our whole house...

[M A V I C]

[quote Racer X]Mavic, they aren't really outside rated (as in cold) unless they say so on the package, or possibly screened onto the base as well.

Also, most CF bulbs aren't for closed enclosure use unless they say so.
I see. I only went by what was written and didn't know there was more to it that isn't on the package. None of the lights I've had problems with going out are in a closed fixture.

The ones I have also say they are cool and safe to use in fixtures.

[Racer X]

Then they are probably just fine. Cold temp ones may be a bit harder to find. My porch light does ok, and I doubt your block is colder than mine.......

[Mike Johnson]

Just because some cf bulbs are rated for use in an enclosed fixture doesn't mean the fixture is rated for that. The glass bowl on an enclosed fixture can shatter from the heat. It could kill somebody.

[quote M A V I C]The bulbs are often brighter than their rating suggests.
CF bulbs quickly lose about 10% of their brightness, and then slowly lose more.

You can't really use the 13w cf = 60 watt incandescent equivalencies, because A) 60 watt bulbs from different manufacturers could put out widely different lumens, and B) CF bulbs dim as they age.

I've yet to have a CF bulb burn out, but I have replaced a few because they grew dim.

[jimbrady]

[quote jdc]we only have 1, does that make me bad?
Yes.

[M A V I C]

[quote Mike Johnson]Just because some cf bulbs are rated for use in an enclosed fixture doesn't mean the fixture is rated for that. The glass bowl on an enclosed fixture can shatter from the heat. It could kill somebody.
Not sure what you mean by that. CF bulbs are cooler than incandescent. So if a fixture can handle an incandescent, it can surely handle a CF.

CF bulbs quickly lose about 10% of their brightness, and then slowly lose more.

You can't really use the 13w cf = 60 watt incandescent equivalencies, because A) 60 watt bulbs from different manufacturers could put out widely different lumens, and B) CF bulbs dim as they age.

The ones in my kitchen have been there for a couple years at least. They are certainly still brighter than the incandescent equivalent.

[freescotland]

Have a friend who once played for the BC Lions, and he came to the house. Does that count?

[Don C]

Well, I guess I have my work cut out for me when I get home tonight.

I just replaced the bulbs in my garage fixture with two CFL bulbs. Which means -

1. the fixture is tied to the garage door, meaning it will cycle on and off every time we use the door.
2. it is in the unheated (cool) garage)
3. the fixture is enclosed, having reused a hallway ceiling fixture that we replaced.

Sounds like three strikes to me!!!

Guess I'll put the ol' incandescents back in there and save the CFL's for a more appropriate location.