CFL Shopping Guide
CFLs are available at almost any store that sells incandescent bulbs. They are recommended for any fixtures that are used at least 15 minutes a day, although they are most efficient when used for at least two hours.
Ideal locations include your living or family room, the kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms. Below, CUB summarizes the styles of compact fluorescent bulbs that are available and the recommendations for different kinds of fixtures.
CFL Types
Spiral
The most popular type of CFL, these bulbs create the same amount of light as traditional incandescents, but use less energy.
Covered A-Shaped
These bulbs combine the efficiency of a CFL with the look and feel of traditional incandescents.
Covered Globe
This bulb is ideal for use where you can see the bulbs, such as bathroom vanity bars and ceiling pendants. Basically, it’s a spiral bulb with a decorative cover.
Tubed
These work well in lamps that have slender covers, such as wall sconces.
Candle (Bullet)
These are ideal for decorative fixtures where you can see the bulb, and tight-fitting fixtures where a
covered globe won’t fit.
Indoor Reflector
These bulbs direct light out of the fixture (think of recessed lights in a kitchen or a ceiling fan). Some can be used with a dimmer. Check the packaging.
Outdoor Reflector
These bulbs are sealed to withstand the rain and snow. Using them with timers, photocells, and motion sensors will probably shorten their life.
Three-Way CFLs
Three-way light switches require three-way CFLs. Check the packaging to make sure the bulb is intended for this use. Installing three-way CFLs may require extra effort since they can be slightly larger than their matching incandescents, but they still use one-third as much electricity.
Dimmable CFLs
Dimmer switches require dimmable CFLs. Check the packaging. Incandescent bulbs dim from 100 percent light output to no output, and their light color changes from a bright white to a warmer yellow. Dimmable CFLs are different. They maintain color more consistently and dim to 10 percent to 40 percent of their original brightness.
CFLs and Fixtures
Ceiling Fixtures
Use spiral or tubed ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs.
Pendant Fixtures
Bare bulbs work, but most people like the look of covered CFLs (A-shaped or globe).
Ceiling Fans
Use spiral or covered bulbs (A-shaped, candles, or small reflectors). A lot of manufacturers are developing other CFLs for ceiling fans.
Wall Sconces
Smaller-sized spiral or bullet ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs work best.
Recessed Cans
Indoor reflector bulbs work best. They are specially designed to withstand heat buildup in these fixtures.
Outdoor Covered Fixtures
Spiral or tubed CFLs work here. Check the packaging for starting temperatures to make sure the CFL will work properly. Check with the makers of electronic controls like photocells, timers and motion sensors for CFL compatibility.
Outdoor Exposed Fixtures
Use ENERGY STAR qualified outdoor flood CFLs, which have special cases that protect them from the weather. Placing a bare spiral CFL in an open outdoor fixture is likely to result in early failure. Check the packaging for starting temperatures to make sure the bulb will work properly.
CFL Colors
Spiral CFLs come in a variety of colors, such as soft white (what most incandescents are), natural light or daylight. Most CFLs come in “warm” colors to match the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs. These bulbs are in the 2700–3000 Kelvin (K) range.
“Cooler” colors, with whiter and bluish hues, are often used for reading and task lighting. 3500–4100K gives a bright white light and 5000–6500K is bluer and most like daylight.
Choose a Light Guide
For more information, go to www.EnergyStar.gov. ENERGY STAR is a program of the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. The site includes a CFL store locator and a ”Choose a Light Guide.”