Compact Florescent Light (CFL) Frequently Asked Questions
Why do compact fluorescent lights cost more?
The price of high quality compact fluorescent lights has decreased recently.
Part of the price relates to the costs of compact fluorescent technology.
Remember that the compact fluorescent light has a built-in micro size ballast.
This makes the lamp cost more than regular light bulbs.
SAVINGS
Can I really save energy and save money on my electric bill?
Yes. Compare a 15 watt compact fluorescent light with a 60 watt incandescent
bulb. A compact florescent bulb cost $17.00 and lasts for 10,000 hrs. A regular
incandescent bulb costs $2.50 and last for about 1,000 hrs. You would have to
replace the regular incandescent bulb 10 times at a cost of 25.00 to equal a
compact florescent light. The savings here would be $8. The energy savings
between the two is about $1.50 a month. A compact florescent light costs .50
cents a month and a regular incandescent bulb costs about $2.00 a month (with
normal use). By using a compact fluorescent light, the savings is $30.50 over
the life of the bulb for this example.
SIZE
Why aren't compact fluorescent lights as small as regular incandescent bulbs?
A compact fluorescent light includes a lamp and a ballast or transformer. The
incandescent bulb has no ballast. While compact fluorescent lights have been
larger than their incandescent equivalent bulbs, the newest lights are less than
one half inch larger than the equivalent 60 watt incandescent bulb. The new
spiral compact fluorescent light by ParaLite will fit most fixtures, but it is
wise to measure each fixture before ordering.
APPLICATIONS
Where should I use my compact fluorescent lights?
As you can see by the energy savings and longevity of the CFL, anywhere the lamp
will fit is a good place to use them. However, the best places for compact
fluorescent lights are in frequently used fixtures that are on for at least
three hours at a time. Difficult to reach fixtures are also good places to put
compact fluorescent lights because you will have to change them less often.
Where are some places that compact fluorescent lights should NOT be used?
Because of electronic interference, compact fluorescent lights can not be used
on dimmers. Doing so will shorten the life of the bulbs. They also should not be
used in recessed or fully enclosed fixtures.
Can I use compact fluorescent lights in three-way lamps?
There is no danger in doing this, but you will get light only in the middle one
of the three "on" positions.
Will compact fluorescent lights work where it's cold? Where it's hot?
Always check the light package for exact recommendations, but generally, compact
fluorescent lights can be used in the 20°F-140°F range. Many new products like
ParaLite lamps will start at temperatures to -20°F, though the light output may
be somewhat reduced at very low temperatures. When compact fluorescent lights
operate at temperatures above 140°F, there may be reduced light output and
premature ballast failure.
Will they work where it's damp?
Do not install compact fluorescent lights where they will be exposed to water or
snow directly. You can install compact fluorescent lights in sheltered exterior
places. Some compact fluorescent lights have ventilation holes to keep them
cool. Do not install that type of compact fluorescent light where moisture or
water can get in the holes.
LIFETIME
How long will compact fluorescent lights last?
That depends on what type of compact fluorescent lights you purchase. ParaLite
one-piece units should last up to 10,000 hours.
How do you arrive at the hour ratings for your bulbs?
All electric lights have a published rating for expected life. This rating is in
the hundreds of hours for many incandescent lights, and in the thousands of
hours for our fluorescents. Fluorescent lights have a life rating based on how
many hours they are left on every time they are turned on. This is usually
referred to as "burn time", and for fluorescent lights the burn time is three
hours.
Every time a fluorescent light is turned on, a tiny amount of the coating on the
electrodes is burned off. Eventually, enough coating is burned off, and the lamp
fails to start. Longer burns extend lamp life. If you "burn" your fluorescent
lamps shorter than 3 hours per start, you use up your potential starts faster
and the bulb will last a shorter time period than the published rating. If you
"burn" them longer than 3 hours per start, you use up your starts more slowly
and your lamp will last longer than the stated hours. However, you are paying
energy costs for the operating time of the lamps, and the most efficient lamp is
the one that is not on when it is not needed. There is a point where the amount
of money you save from turning off the light exceeds the cost of reducing lamp
life by more frequent starts. If you pay $0.05 KWh, the time is about 15 to 20
minutes for that point. As energy rates go higher, that time becomes shorter. If
you pay less than a nickel per kilowatt hour, your turning-off point would be
longer.
Compact Florescent Bulbs can be purchased at www.REWCI.com