Energy & Water Conservation Blog » CFL Bulbs

More options with Dimmable GU24 Bulbs

Conservation Mart — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:20:00 +0000

By now, you’ve probably come across a GU24 CFL bulb. You know it’s the CFL that has two prongs sticking out. You attach it to the fixture not by screwing it in (like a standard bulb) but by sticking the prongs into the fixture and twisting it till the bulb locks into place.

Dimmable GU24

When these bulbs came onto the lighting scene a few years ago, there weren’t a lot of options. That has changed as these have gained popularity due to GU24 advantages which we cited in a previous post.

Now you can get GU24 bulbs from all the major lighting manufacturers such as TCP Lighting, Feit Electric, Bulbrite, Maxlite, Sylvania to name a few. They are available in different wattages, sizes (short, tall), color temperatures (2700k for a warm look or 5000 for a daylight color) and they have dimmable features available. A few years ago you couldn’t have a GU24 bulb in a dimmable fixture. That’s changed now and dimmable GU24 bulbs are available from many manufacturers. So if you’re looking into an energy efficient fixture that you would like to have dimming features, fear not, there are plenty of options.

Choosing the Perfect Light Color and Light Brightness

Conservation Mart — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:49:01 +0000

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are produced to conserve energy, unlike their incandescent counterparts. For example, a 13-watt CFL is manufactured to replace a 60-watt incandescent, using only 22% of the power that the incandescent needs. Also unlike the incandescent, CFL light color and light brightness are based on lumens and color temperature, not wattage. These both should be taken into consideration when choosing an incandescent replacement.

The amount of light emitted from a compact fluorescent bulb is based on lumens. The chart below shows the amount of lumens necessary to achieve the same light brightness as an incandescent.

The light color of a compact fluorescent light depends on temperature, which is measured in degrees Kelvin. The lower the Kelvin number is, the “warmer” the light color of a bulb will appear. For example, a compact fluorescent light which measures 2700K will give off a warm glow, similar to that of most incandescents placed in living rooms and bedrooms. At 3500K to 4100K, the color is more of a soft to cool white, suitable for kitchens. A CFL with 5000K provides a light color comparable to the light of the sun at noon. This light color is more appropriate for tasks such as painting where close attention to detail is required.

The picture below from DTE Energy will help you see the difference in color as the temperature changes.

Light Color

Understanding light brightness and light color are important to choosing the correct replacement for the energy abusing incandescent lights in your home.

Philips LED Lamps: A Decorative Way to Save Energy

Conservation Mart — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:50:25 +0000

Energy-efficient bulbs have come a long way from the flickering lights which are far too reminiscent of scenes from a Hollywood horror film. Lighting that saves energy can be found in a variety of colors, shapes, and for a number of fixtures as well. Among the most decorative of energy-efficient lighting are the Philips LED candelabra bulbs. These energy saving lights beautify the room where they are placed as well as the amount due on your monthly energy bill.

Philips LED Lamps

Candelabra style Philips LED Lamps use almost 13 watts of energy less than the standard incandescent candle. Also, these Philips LED bulbs can last as long as 15,000 hours, not requiring a replacement as often as their incandescent counterparts. In addition to all of this, the Philips LED lamps for candles emit almost no UV/IR light in its beam, and contain no mercury. If you still cannot see the point in switching from incandescent to energy-efficient lighting, consider the fact that with the reduction in energy use will also come a reduction in the energy bill. Savings of approximately $375 every year have been reported with the use of these bulbs instead of incandescent lights.

Philips LED lamps for candle lighting are not only perfect for a dining room setting, but ideal for lighting designers, as they give off light in all directions.

Daylight Bulbs: What Are They?

Conservation Mart — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:20:25 +0000

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) come in a variety of colors. The color of the light emitted, as discussed in a previous blog, depends on the temperature as is measured in units of Kelvins. The higher the temperature of the light, the bluer the light appears. CFLs range from temperatures below 3,000K to above 5,000K. The brightest compact fluorescent lights are at least 5000K. The manufacturers name these bulbs as they see fit based on the light a CFL emits. While some refer to these bulbs as “full spectrum”, they are more commonly called daylight bulbs.

Daylight Light Bulbs

The light that comes from daylight light bulbs has been compared to the light coming from the sun around noon. This bulb is used mainly for tasks, such as painting, reading, and photography, where a bright-colored bulb is needed. The blue-white light radiating from the daylight bulb only makes it appear brighter than the cool white and soft white CFLs, with the brightness of a bulb being measured in lumens. Like all color CFLs, daylight bulbs

are energy-efficient, and can replace an incandescent bulb.

What Is CFL Color Temperature or CRI?

Conservation Mart — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:09:44 +0000

Every year we see an increase in the interest people have in energy efficient products. Among such products is the CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp), which is produced to replace, and uses less energy than, the standard incandescent light bulb. Some might worry that as a result of the CFL not consuming as much energy as the incandescent bulb, the options in brightness as well as color would be fewer. Once an understanding of the CFL color spectrum is gained, you will realize this is far from the truth.

Orange CFL

Unlike an incandescent bulb, the quality of light emitted from CFLs depends on how they are built, with the majority of CFLs having the color temperature marked on it in measurements of kelvins. For example, a 5000k fluorescent bulbs would give off a cool white daylight color as opposed to one with a temperature of 2700K, which would emit a warm glow. This means the higher the measure in kelvins, the bluer in shade the light coming from the CFL. Different manufacturers have varying names for bulbs of the same temperature, so it is important to base the color you chose on the temperature as opposed to a title of “cool” or “daylight.”

In addition to the temperature in Kelvins, some companies also include a 3-digit code specifying the color rendering index (CFL CRI). The first number stands for the CRI calculated in percents of ten, with the following two digits are taken from the temperature in kelvins. For instance, if a CFL has a CRI of 83 and color temperature measuring 2700K, the 3-digit code would be 827. Bulbs with a color rendering index of about 80 are of good quality for the average consumer, appearing “white” in color. Fluorescent Colored Bulbs come in all kinds of colors: from red, orange and yellow to pink, blue and green. Choosing the right lamp for your fixture should be no problem now that you know where to start, as well as where to finish.

GU24 Lamps: What are their Advantages?

Conservation Mart — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:48:29 +0000

gu24 lamps

GU24 is rapidly gaining popularity with energy efficient fixtures. You can find them just about anywhere: in outdoor fixtures, downlights, pendants, ceiling fixtures and more.

What are GU24 Lamps
GU24 Base bulbs are a different base than the standard screw base CFL bulbs. GU24 lamps have 2 pins protruding from the base instead of the usual screw in base. The pins insert into the fixture and they twist and lock into place. GU24 base bulbs are self ballasted i.e. the ballast portion of the bulb is already attached to the bulb and is easy to replace.

Benefits of GU24 Lamps

These bulbs are not wattage dependent so you can easily change the wattage of the bulb, unlike pin base bulbs which require the socket to be changed for different wattages of bulbs.
Standard GU24 Bulbs are interchangeable between manufacturers unlinke pin base bulbs. So you are not tied to a particular manufacturer.
GU24 bulbs are self ballasted i.e. the ballast portion of the bulb is already attached to the bulb and is easy to replace.
The overall length of the bulb is shorter since the ballast and the bulb are in one unit
These bulbs are very energy efficient. The majority of fixtures they go into are Energy Star. With all these advantages, GU24 Lamps are definitely going to become more prevalent in homes and offices.

Mogul Base Lights Bulbs: What Are They?

Conservation Mart — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:33:32 +0000

It’s about the larger base. Mogul (screw) base light bulbs or mogul base

Mogul Base Bulbs

bulbs have larger screw bases (E39) than the standard, medium (E26) screw base bulbs. In fact, the “39” of E39 and “26” of E26 each refer to the millimeter width of the respective screw bases (i.e., E39 base bulbs = 39 millimeters = 1.5 inches; and E26 base bulbs = 26 millimeters = 1.0 inch), and do not refer to the shapes of the light bulbs.

More power, more heat. Mogul base bulbs are made of cast porcelain to tolerate higher temperatures, making them ideal for industrial and commercial uses (e.g., power ratings of 250-1000 watts); in terms of technology, mogul base compact fluorescent bulbs, in addition to mogul base halogen, mercury vapor, metal halide, and high pressure sodium bulbs are available in the market.

“U” stands for mogul base. Selecting the correct size bulb can be confusing because light bulbs in general are available in different base sizes. All you have to remember when reading product descriptions is this: the “U” in, for example, M175/U/MED and MH1000/U/BT56, stand for mogul base. But if you happened to get a medium base bulb (E26) for your mogul base lamp (E39), the good news is that you can get a reducer to use the E26 light bulb on your E39 base bulb lamp; additionally, you can get a converter to use a 3-way E26 light bulb in a 3-way E39 base bulb lamp.

General Tips for Increasing CFL Life

Conservation Mart — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:17:00 +0000

CFLs come with a pretty long rated life, especially if you are buying a good brand. For instance, Sylvania, GE Lighting, TCP often come with an 8000+ hours rated life. That’s no guarantee however that the bulbs will last that long. However, you should get pretty close to the rated life if you:

Use the bulb with the right type of switch. If it’s an on-off bulb, you should only use it in an on-off fixture
You don’t flip the bulb on and off rapidly and continuously.
You choose a good quality bulb. As mentioned, a with good brand the rated hours will be higher.

Can you get CFL Three Way Bulbs?

Conservation Mart — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:38:00 +0000

The answer is yes! These were not available a few years ago but with the advancement of compact fluorescent bulb technology – pretty much all the the incandescent bulb functions are available in the Compact Fluorescent variety. There are lot of brands of three way CFLs available in the market such as GE, Philips , Feit Electric, Earthmate to name a few. Most of these are Energy Star qualified bulbs.

Three way CFL bulbs, offer three levels of light when used in conjunction with a 3-way lamp socket switch. Take for example the Earthmate T3 Three Way 33W ES3362AN.
This bulb at it’s lowest level uses just 12 W which is the equivalent of a 50W incandescent. At the next level it uses 22W, a 75-100W equivalent. At the highest setting it uses 33W which is a 100-150w incandescent equivalent.

So if your lamp calls for a 3 way bulb, consider a CFL 3 way bulb. It is not advisable to use a regular CFL in a 3 way fixture.

What exactly is a GU24 base CFL bulb?

Conservation Mart — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:42:00 +0000

You may have heard of Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) GU24 base bulbs and wondered what they are. These bulbs have a different base than the standard screw base CFL bulbs. GU24 bulbs have 2 pins protruding from the base instead of the usual screw in base. To install the bulb, you would insert the pins into the corresponding holes in the socket and twist the light bulb and lock it into place.

So why would you want to use a GU24 base bulb? What are the advantages of GU24 bulbs?

GU24 bulbs are self ballasted i.e. the ballast portion of the bulb is already attached to the bulb and is easy to replace.

The overall length of the bulb is shorter since the ballast and the bulb are in one unit

You can easily change the wattage of the bulb, unlike pin base bulbs which require the socket to be changed for different wattages of bulbs. This offer more flexibility

The size and shape of socket is similar to an incandescent socket so it’s great for homes.

Standard GU24 Bulbs are interchangeable between manufacturers

So next time you’re in the market for a lighting fixture, consider one that utilizes a GU24 base bulb