Look for those that are labeled as being suitable for use in enclosed fixtures. If you put an LED into an enclosed fixture, it may shorten its lifetime. LED reflector lamps are specially designed to withstand the high temperature environments found inside recessed cans, the downlights or circles in your ceiling. The electronics inside the LED may fail if they are subjected to very high temperatures. Conversely, put LEDs in hard-to-reach sockets, as they last up to 25 years (at three-hours-per-day usage), and you'll avoid the hassle of having to change the bulb for a really long time.Īre there dangers to putting LEDs into enclosed fixtures or in the recessed cans in my ceiling? Could they overheat? We recommend consumers select LEDs for use in recessed cans and downlights as they are better at serving as directional lights, and for sockets that are connected to a dimmer.įor those bulbs that are not used very often and are not switched on and off frequently, CFLs are probably your best bet.
HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS TYPES INSTALL
You should not, however, install a 100-watt bulb, as that could cause a fire hazard.Īre there some places in the home where you would recommend CFLs over LEDs or vice versa, such as in outdoor fixtures that are exposed to temperature extremes? Or in indoor lamps?ĬFLs do not work well in cold climates and may not even start, so are not a good choice for the porch light or other outdoor sockets in cold climates. If you want even more light, you can bump up to a 23-watt CFL that will give off as much light as the old 100-watt bulb did, while still staying below the 60-watt power cutoff. The good news is the energy-saving bulbs that replace a 60-watt incandescent will only use 10 to 15 watts, depending on the actual bulb you buy, and give off the same amount of light. As long as you don't put a bulb that uses more than 60 watts in that socket you will be fine.
Is it OK to use a 23-watt CFL instead? That would give me the equivalent of a 100-watt incandescent.įixtures have a safety rating and one should not put in bulbs that exceed the labeled rating (such as "do not exceed 60 watts"). If I use an LED or CFL, can I use a brighter bulb? For instance, a 13-watt CFL is equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent. I have some sockets that take nothing higher than a 60-watt bulb. Candelabra and globe CFLs have been around for years, and LED models are coming on line now, too. These include candelabra or flame-shaped bulbs, as well as the round globe-shaped bulbs that are often used in the bathroom vanity over the sink. The great news is there is an energy-efficient CFL or LED for just about every socket. If your fixture is dimmable, almost all LEDs are dimmable and you can enjoy even more flexibility.Īre there CFLs or LEDs for candelabra bulbs? What about globe-shaped bulbs for my bathroom vanity? If you have a three-way socket, you can buy a three-way CFL which will offer low, medium and high light output, just like your old incandescent bulb did. If you want to have different levels of light and use an energy-saving bulb, you have two great choices. Is there a CFL or LED version of the three-way bulb? I have at least three lamps that use a three-way bulb (50/100/150), and I like having the option in terms of brightness. You should also be aware that while incandescent bulbs do not contain mercury, they cause a lot more mercury to be emitted into the environment from coal-burning power plants, since they use four times more energy than a CFL to produce the same amount of light.
HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS TYPES FREE
Consumers should take advantage of free CFL recycling programs that are offered by leading retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe's. Isn't this a problem for landfills? Are we going to start hearing about dangerous mercury levels in the ground and water in a few years?ĬFLs have very low levels of mercury in them, now as low as 2 mg per bulb.
HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS TYPES FULL
Additionally, CFLs may not turn on or reach their full brightness in really cold temperatures.Įveryone I've talked to says they just throw dead CFLs in the trash. Switching your CFL on and off frequently may shorten its life. Those bulbs are not only efficient but also meet the Environmental Protection Agency's rigorous performance requirements and must pass various tests including longevity. I have some bulbs that last years but others that die within a year.Īs not all CFLs are created equal, only buy those that have the Energy Star logo on them. Why do some CFLs die so quickly? The whole seven-year life thing seems random.
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