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The Hidden Costs of CFLs

Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer

• CFLs are designed to operate within a specific temperature range. Temperatures below the range cause reduced output. Most CFLs are for indoor use, but there are models available for outdoor use. These bulbs have special cases that protect them from the elements. Placing a bare spiral CFL in an open outdoor fixture exposes the tubing and electronics to the elements and is likely to result in an early failure. If you live in a cold climate, check the packaging for starting temperatures to make sure the bulb will work properly.

• Most photocells and timers are not designed to work with CFLs. Check with your photocell or timer manufacturer for compatibility.

• Fixtures or lamps with dimmer switches require the use of dimmable CFLs. Not every CFL is dimmable, so check the packaging to make sure it is. Dimmable CFLs work differently than incandescent bulbs. Incandescents dim smoothly from 100% of their light output to no output, and their light color changes from a bright white to a warmer yellow. Dimmable CFLs maintain light color more consistently and dim to 10% to 40% of their original brightness. Dimmable bulbs typically come in soft white color temperature.

• For use in ceiling fixtures, ensure there is enough airflow to prevent excessive heat from shortening the life or decreasing the amount of light the CFL gives off.

• CFLs are not appropriate for certain situations, such as accent lighting or glittery retail display, where tight beam spread or sparkle is needed.

• The ability to provide a concentrated narrow beam of light is greatly reduced because the CFLs do not have a single-point source of the light produced. If an outdoor luminaire is to provide a concentrated beam of light that must travel great distances (such as a spotlight on a reader board at some distance), then an incandescent product with a reflector is likely a better choice. However, this does not create any problems for the vast majority of cases where general doorway, façade, or walkway illumination is required.

• Indoor reflector light bulbs work best in track lighting and some recessed cans, because they are specially designed to direct the light out of the fixture and to withstand the heat buildup that occurs in these fixtures. Better-quality recessed lights do not require the light bulb to have a reflector, because their trims act as reflectors and are well-designed to distribute the light.

• When your CFL burns out, recycle it. Go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling for recycling locations.

• If a bulb breaks, follow the guidance found at www.energystar.gov/CFLsandMercury.

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