Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are designed to replace incandescent light bulbs. They are “compact” when compared to the long tubes that, for a long time, were the only choice in fluorescent lightning.
Most CFL’s fit into incandescent light fixtures and have a compact electronic ballast in the base of the fluorescent bulb.
Compact fluorescent lights are designed to be far more energy efficient that typical incandescent light bulbs while still being small enough to fit in regular household light fixtures. With energy costs rising, the lower energy needed by a CFL to make the same amount of light will eventually result in cost savings even though CFLs have a higher initial price tag.
With the increased popularity of compact fluorescent light bulbs for home use, the demand has risen for a dimmable CFL that can provide the same benefits of dimmable incandescent lights alongside the cost savings of CFLs.
Lamentably, dimmable compact fluorescent lights have created a lot of controversy. What are dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps? What do they do? What kinds are available?
Much of the negative information on dimmable CFLs is due to out-of-date information, and customer dissatisfaction due to misunderstanding and misuse of the product.
First, much misinformation emerged with the arrival of the first dimmable CFLs. While the 1st generation of dimmable CFLs was admittedly low quality (the first dimmable CFLs tended to go from 100% light to 25% all of a sudden instead of gradually dimming), today’s dimmable fluorescents have been greatly improved over their predecessors.
Second, the primary mistake people make with CFLs is that they do not replace their incandescent dimmer switch to the CFL-compatible dimmer switch. This causes the dimmer fluorescent bulbs, or lamps, as fluorescents are called, to flicker, malfunction, buzz and burn out. Other CFLs are not compatible with digital dimmers which were installed in specific localities.
Third, incandescent bulbs dim by the reduction of power sent to the bulb — less power means less light. But, when power is reduced to a standard compact fluorescent lamp, the filament may not become hot enough to illuminate. Many have magnetic type ballasts. Analog dimmers manufactured after 1995 are required for some CFLs. A few others have ballasts that are not meant to be run on a dimming circuit and may get hot enough to start a fire. Today’s CFLs have electronic ballasts and are meant to be used with a usual dimming circuit.
Furthermore, unlike incandescent bulbs, a CFL cannot be dimmed to 0% due to the power consumption required in the performance of the ballast and in the maintenance of the arc between the cathodes. Additionally, all CFLs, even dimmables, require 60 seconds to achieve full brightness. Most dimmable CFLs will then dim to 20% of their rated wattage of light. Check the manufacturer’s information that came with your bulbs when you bought them.
Fourth, using a standard CF lamp with a dimmer switch will cause the lamp to burn out instantaneously; standard CFLs cannot be dimmed. This fact has often caused great disgruntlement in consumers. The expectation that all CFLs should be dimmable is unrealistic in a world where normal incandescent light bulbs aren’t dimmable either. Make sure you have an actual dimmable CFL before attempting to use the dimmer function with your light bulb.
However, a normal incandescent bulb can be replaced by a compact fluorescent lamp nearly anywhere depending upon the switch and fixture. And, 3-way CFLs are now available for lamps with 3-way switches.
All things considered, today’s consumer will be pleasantly surprised by the innumerable choices available when purchasing a dimmable CFL. A few of those choices are:
Lamp color
The newer lamps give off a warm light instead of the white, cold light of yesteryear’s fluorescents.
Currently, lamps are available in numerous colors: pink, orange, red, blue and green for novelty purposes; blue lamps for phototherapy, indoor plants and outdoor landscaping; yellow lamps that do not attract insects, and Black (UV) light for special effects.
Socket versatility
The majority of CFLs have screw-in bases to accommodate the most popular light bulb socket design.
A revolutionary new style is the GU24, which is designed to replace the Edison base and socket to conform to the latest Energy Star requirements. The GU24 fixture promises greater energy efficiency since they circumvent backward compatibility with screw base bulbs.
Plastic bases with two to four pins (short, straight fluorescent lamps) are available that are designed for fixtures with separate mounted-in ballasts.
Shape or style
Spiral CFLs are handy in several sizes to fit standard fixtures. Spirals are available with a dome cover to give the appearance of an incandescent bulb. Globe lamps are used in vanity mirrors or open bulb fixtures and decrease heat buildup.
Candelabra lamps are small-based flame-tipped, or torpedo-shaped, screw-in lamps for use in small light fixtures such as chandeliers and sconces.
Tip: A socket reducer allows the use of a small-based lamp in a regular size socket.
Tube lamps have more tubing in a compact area to generate more light in a shorter lamp.
The high-light output lamp can replace an incandescent anywhere.
Flood lamps are designed for indoor and outdoor landscape track lighting and recessed fixtures. The light they provide is a diffused, white, soft light and produces less heat than a halogen bulb or an incandescent flood bulb.
Energy ratio
CFLs use 50-80% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last six to ten times longer than the rated life of normal incandescent bulbs.
They are four times more efficient and save more in electricity over the lamp’s lifetime than five times their purchase price. A one 18-watt CFL replacing a 75 watt incandescent will save nearly $45 at eight cents per KWh annually.
Each dimmable CFL can save even more on the cost of electricity. Check the lamp package for dimming percentages and other information, since there are many brands on the market.
Conclusion
Give Dimmable CFL Light Bulbs a Chance
If you have heard bad things about dimmable CFLs, hopefully this article has given you a good sense of where things stand with dimmable CFLs here in 2012. The initial kinks have been worked out, and the current generation of dimmable compact fluorescents, when paired with the appropriate dimmer switch, will likely perform just as well as the dimmable incandescent light bulbs you’ve been using for years.
You can find dimmable CFLs at big box stores, hardware stores, lighting specialty stores as well as Amazon.com
