Choosing the Right Light
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs and Colour
CFLs are available in a wide variety of shades of white light, ranging from
yellowish to white to bluish white light, which allows you to customize the mood
of your space. Many CFLs come in "warm" colours to match the yellowish light of
incandescent bulbs, but you can also choose "cooler" colours with whiter or bluer
light.
Choosing the right colour:
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Light colour is measured on a temperature scale referred to as Kelvin (K).
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Lower Kelvin numbers mean the light appears more yellow; higher Kelvin
numbers mean the light is whiter or bluer.
Most ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs are made to match the colour of
incandescent bulbs at 2700-3000K and work well in most residential
settings and enhances warmer colours (red, yellow, orange) found in your
home.
For a whiter light, look for bulbs marked 3500-4100K.
For bluer white light, look for bulbs marked 5000-6500K.
These colours will enhance cooler colours (blue, green, violet) in your
home.
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CFL Sizes and Shapes
CFLs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The majority of CFLs are designed
to look identical to the incandescent light bulb version. The table below identifies
the most popular CFL shapes that are available at retail:
Bare Products
MiniSpiral or
Twist
Tube or
Universal
Covered Products*
Incandescent/
A-line
Globe
G25, G30,
G40
Candelabra,
Post or
Bullet
Shape
Reflector
Products
Indoor and Outdoor
R20, R30, R40,
PAR38
Where to Use CFLs Around Your Home
The following chart provides guidance on how to choose the best CFL for a
specific fixture. You can either look for the fixture you want to use a CFL in, or
pick your favourite CFL and see where the best fixtures to use it in. In many
cases, a certain CFL type can be used in multiple fixtures. For example, today's
bare spiral CFL is small enough to use in table lamps, wall sconces, ceilingmounted fixtures, ceiling fans, etc.
*Covered bulbs have a traditional lamp shape with either a spiral or tube lamp
inside
For more information see Natural Resources Canada
Shapes and Sizes
The ENERGY STAR CFL search can help you find a specific bulb to meet your
needs or see if a particular model is qualified.
Remember:
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Only bulbs marked "dimmable" will work on dimmer switches.
Only bulbs marked "three-way" will work on three-way sockets.
Most photocells, motion sensors, and electronic timers are not designed to
work with CFLs. Check with the photocell or timer manufacturer and the
CFL packaging for compatibility.
Shapes and Sizes
Spirals
If these spiral-shaped bulbs look familiar it's because they're the most popular
type of CFL. Spiral CFLs create the same amount of light as traditional
incandescent bulbs, but use less energy. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up
to 75% less electricity and lasts up to 10 times longer.
A-Shaped
A-shaped bulbs combine the efficiency of the spiral bulbs, with the look and feel
of the traditional incandescent bulbs. These products are great for consumers
who don't like the look of the spiral bulbs but still want efficient lighting.
Globe
Globe-shaped bulbs are ideal for bathroom vanity bars and ceiling pendants. Like
other covered CFLs, globes need a little time to "warm up" and reach full
brightness. But be patient — ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs use up to 75%
less electricity and lasts up to 10 times longer. They generate just as much light
as traditional bulbs, while using less energy.
Tubed
Some of the first ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs were tube shaped.
Basically straight versions of the spiral bulbs, tubed bulbs work well in lamps that
have slender covers such as wall sconces.
Candle
These products are ideal for use in decorative fixtures where you can see the
light bulb. The sleek shape also allows you to use them in tight fitting light fixtures
where a covered globe won't fit.
Posts
Covered post bulbs are great for outdoor fixtures; manufacturers design these
bulbs to hold up to outdoor conditions. There are also yellow "bug light" covered
posts, designed to keep away insects. Check compatibility with timers and
photocells.
Indoor Reflectors
Reflector bulbs are perfect for providing directional light - think of recessed
ceiling lights in kitchens or ceiling fans. Indoor reflector bulbs are much smaller
then those that are designed for outdoor use. Some are small enough to fit in
ceiling fan lights, and some can be used with a dimmer - the packaging will tell
you.
Outdoor Reflectors
For use outside, reflector bulbs are sealed to withstand the rain and snow.
Because of this, they're usually much larger then the reflectors designed for use
inside. Don't use the outdoor reflectors with timers, photocells, and motion
sensors because you could shorten the life of the bulbs.
How do CFLs work?
CFLs produce light differently than incandescent bulbs. In an incandescent,
electric current runs through a wire filament and heats the filament until it starts
to glow. In a CFL, an electric current is driven through a tube containing argon
and a small amount of mercury vapor. This generates invisible ultraviolet light
that excites a fluorescent coating (called phosphor) on the inside of the tube,
which then emits visible light.
CFLs need a little more energy when they are first turned on, but once the
electricity starts moving, use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent
bulbs. A CFL's ballast helps "kick start" the CFL and then regulates the current
once the electricity starts flowing.
Older CFLs used large and heavy magnetic ballasts that caused a buzzing noise
in some bulbs. Most CFLs today — and all ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs —
use electronic ballasts, which do not buzz or hum.
Do the twist.
Screw in your CFL by holding the ballast (the white plastic part), NOT the glass
tubing.
Don't flip too fast.
You'll maximize the lifetime savings and effectiveness of your CFLs by keeping
them on for 15 minutes or more at a time.
Choose 3 for 3.
Only use bulbs labeled as three-way on three-way sockets.
Don't dim a non-dimmable.
Only use bulbs labeled as dimmable on dimmer switches.
Check your controls.
Most photocells and electric timers are not designed to work with CFLs. Always
check with the manufacturer of the control for compatibility and the lamp
packaging to make sure the lamp is suited for this application.
Give them air.
CFLs are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so place your CFLs in open fixtures
indoors. Using them in enclosed fixtures indoors can create a hot environment
that reduces the lifetime of your bulbs. Note that covered reflectors are best used
in recessed cans.
Protect them outside.
Protect bulbs from the elements by placing them inside enclosed fixtures
outdoors. For colder climates, look at the packaging for optimal operating
temperatures.
Always follow manufactueres directions.
Amalgam
A mixture that puts mercury in a solid form.
Argon
An inert gas used in CFLs to regulate the environment
inside the glass tubing so that the mercury vapor can
absorb the electrical currents.
Base
End of the light bulb that inserts into the lamp socket.
Ballast
Ballast
housing
Candelabra
Base
Correlated
Colour
Temperature
A collection of electronic parts that regulates the electric
current through a fluorescent lamp.
The casing that covers the ballast, usually made from
plastic fire-retardant material.
A small screw base typically used in small or decorative
fixtures such as nightlights and chandeliers.
A description of the "colour" of a light source measured by
the Kelvin (K) temperature scale.
(CCT)
Colour
Rendering
Index (CRI)
Cover
Ability of the CFL to show colours compared to an
incandescent. The ENERGY STAR criteria require a CRI
of at least 80 for qualified CFLs. Incandescent light bulbs
have a CRI of 100; commercial linear fluorescent tubes
typically have a CRI around 75.
A plastic or glass material placed over top of a bare CFL to
mimic the style and shape of incandescent light bulbs.
Covered CFLs may take longer to reach full brightness.
Efficacy
A description of the efficiency of a light source, as
measured in light produced (lumens) per unit of power
consumed (watts). ENERGY STAR efficacy requirements
vary with the style of CFL (bare spiral, covered reflector,
etc.) and wattage, but are generally 3-4 times higher than
comparable incandescent light bulbs.
End-of-Life
Protection
Circuitry used in the ballast of a CFL that stops the flow of
electricity when a CFL fails, eliminating any potential
safety hazard.
Filament
Fixture
Heat/Light
Output Ratio
The wire inside an incandescent light bulb that produces
light.
A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps and
the parts designed to distribute the light, position and
protect the lamp(s), and connect the lamp(s) to the power
supply.
CFLs use power more efficiently than incandescent lamps,
and therefore require less energy to create the same
amount of light. About 90 percent of the power used by an
incandescent bulb is wasted as heat, while only about 10
percent is converted to light in the visible spectrum. By
more efficiently using the power they consume, CFLs are
able to provide the same amount of light, while producing
much less heat. ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs use
up to 75% less electricity and lasts up to 10 times longer
Kelvin (K)
Lamp
Lumen
Mercury
In lighting, the Kelvin scale is used to describe the colour
of light.
In the lighting industry, "lamp" is the term for a light
source. Technically, incandescent light bulbs and CFLs
are both considered "lamps," and table and desk lamps
are referred to as fixtures.
Measure of light.
Mercury is an essential element used to create light in a
fluorescent bulb. Mercury can come as vapor or in a solid
amalgam form. ENERGY STAR criteria limits the amount
of mercury that can be used in qualified CFLs. Many
manufacturers have reduced mercury content even further
— some to as low as 1 mg per bulb.
For more information see Natural Resources Canada
Phosphor
A powder-like mixture of elements that convert UV rays
into visible light. When the UV rays hit the phosphor, they
fluoresce, or glow. The phosphor mix determines the
colour of the light.
Photocell
A light-sensing device used to control fixtures and
dimmers in response to detected light levels.
Rated life
A light bulb's estimated lifetime measured in hours. For all
light bulbs, lifetime is determined by operating a sample of
bulbs according to industry test standards. The time that
half of the test sample fails is considered rated life. By
definition, some lamps will fail before their rated life and
some will operate beyond their rated life. The ENERGY
STAR CFL criteria require additional testing to show that
the sample can withstand a number of short start cycles
and monitors early failures throughout testing.
Special
features
Most CFLs are designed to operate on an on/off switch.
However, some CFLs have been designed with features to
perform in specialized applications, such as on dimmers or
three-way fixtures. This should be clearly marked on the
box of any CFL designed for that application.
Ultraviolet
(UV) light
Visible light
Watts
Light waves on the electromagnetic spectrum that are
similar to the light from the sun.
The light waves on the electromagnetic spectrum that can
be seen with the human eye.
Measure of power, or energy consumed per unit of time.
Decorative Lighting
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Light emitting diodes (LED) lights use up to 90% less electricity and last
10 times longer than incandescent lights.
Use ENERGY STAR qualified seasonal light-emitting diodes (SLEDS)
light strings.
Solar-powered seasonal (SLEDS) use improved solar technology and
require only a little sunlight to recharge, even recharging on cloudy days.
Exterior Lighting
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The outdoor porch lamp is one of the most used light fixtures in any home,
making it the perfect place to install highly efficient ENERGY STAR
qualified lighting products. Many compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
will fit easily into existing porch lights. Be sure to use bulbs approved for
use outdoors.
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are bright and warm but use about 75%
less electricity than incandescents and last up to 10 times longer.
Whether welcoming visitors, searching for your keys or ensuring safety,
motion sensors are an electricity-saving option for lighting your way,
because they only operate when they detect movement.
Consider photocell timers, which react to sunlight.
General Lighting Tips :
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Replace your high-use incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR
qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They use up to 75 % less
electricity and last up to 10 times longer.
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ENERGY STAR quality light fixtures use only 1/4 the electricity of
standard fixtures and distribute light more efficiently and evenly.
Whenever you leave a room, get into the habit of turning off the lights.
Disposal of CFLs: CFLs contain small amounts of mercury. We encourage
you to dispose of your used bulbs in an environmentally friendly way.
Please contact your local municipality for proper disposal.
Motion sensors are ideal for rooms where you may forget to turn off the
lights.
Use area or task lighting instead of full, overhead lights. For task lighting
consider light emitting diodes (LEDs). They provide focused lighting,
making them a great choice for tasks such as reading lights, desk lamps,
night lights, spotlights, security lights, signage lighting etc. and are energy
efficient and long-lasting.
More
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Maximize the amount of natural daylight.
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For those lights that are on all night, use the lowest wattage bulbs
possible.
Make a point of keeping your light fixtures clean for maximum light.
Install dimmer switches and use dimmable CFLs. Check the packaging for
compatibility.
Install programmable timers or motion sensors on interior and exterior
lights.
Remember the Canadian government has pledged to phase out inefficient
incandescent bulbs by 2012.
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