How To Change Fluorescent Light Bulbs To Led

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are a low energy culling to traditional incandescent bulbs. Instead of a tungsten filament, CFLs consist of a drinking glass tube filled with mercury vapour and gas, with an electrode at either end of the tube.

How Do CFLs Work?

When an electric current passes through the gas, it ignites the mercury vapour, which then releases ultra-violet lite. Because ultra-violet light is invisible to the man eye, a phosphor powder coating is practical to the inside of the glass tube. When the ultra-violet photons interact with this phosphor coating, it fluoresces and emits light. The colour temperature of the lamp can be varied past using different types of phosphor coating.

An electronic ballast is as well required to limit the electric current in the circuit and prevent damage to the lamp. In the case of fluorescent tubes and most commercial-type fluorescent lamps, the anchor is added to the lamp externally, in the circuit or congenital into the plumbing fixtures. For most compact fluorescent lamps, the ballast is built directly into the lamp in its base. This allows CFLs to exist used every bit straight replacements for classic incandescent lamps in the same fitting.

Replacing Incandescent Bulbs with CFLs

The principal difference between compact fluorescent lights and traditional incandescent bulbs is that CFLs save upward to lxx% of the free energy used by incandescents. Roughly 95% of the energy used by incandescents is given off as oestrus rather than light. In comparison, CFLs requite off less heat and use much less electricity while maintaining the same amount of light as incandescents. That'south why you demand a lower wattage CFL bulb; for example, a 12 watt CFL is roughly equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent seedling.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs also last much longer than incandescent bulbs. Not simply will you need to buy fewer bulbs, just you'll also need to climb ladders to alter bulbs much less frequently. This means that CFLs can help you save on electricity costs, replacement bulbs, and time and effort.

For an even longer lasting bulb, consider ownership LEDs. LED bulbs last even longer and are more energy efficient than CFLs. If y'all're curious about LEDs, bank check out our Ultimate Guide to Buying LED – information technology contains valuable data to maximize your energy saving whilst meeting your lighting requirements.

Consider Colour Temperature

Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the quality of the low-cal from whatever lite seedling depends on who is using the light, how they are using information technology, and how they like it. Some people like clear bulbs in some applications, while others prefer a softer lite.

Different CFL bulbs produce shades of low-cal. The shade of a bulb is identified its color temperature (measured in "Kelvin"). Lower numbers hateful the light has a softer, cooler, more yellowish color. Well-nigh CFLs offering soft or warm white light at 2700K to 3000K, which is comparable to incandescent bulbs. These bulbs work well in most home settings and raise warm colours. In contrast, higher color temperature lights emit a white to bluish-white low-cal. The ratings on these CFL light bulbs are 3500K, 4100K, 5000K, and 6500K, and are usually identified by terms similar "bright white," "natural" or "daylight." These colours volition enhance cooler colours like blue, green, and violet in your dwelling.

If you need make clean, soft illumination for the kitchen or bath, a cool white 3500K– 4100K CFL is a good choice. And for reading areas and workspaces that require more light, daylight 5000K – 6500K CFL bulbs cast a bright, cool glow that is ideal for item-oriented activities.

If you lot aren't sure which colour temperature is correct for your employ, think virtually what type of low-cal you'd like in each location. Wait for college colour temperatures where you would like a bright light, simply consider opting for lower colour temperatures in other locations.

Recycling CFL Energy Saving Lamps

The corporeality of mercury in a low-energy CFL bulb could fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen, but considering of its chancy nature, used low-energy bulbs need to be recycled rather than put in the bin.

All CFLs should be treated as hazardous waste and should not be tending of in the bin.

All local councils have an obligation to make arrangements for the disposal of household hazardous waste matter at a civic amenity site or household waste matter-recycling center. Make certain y'all inquiry your council's disposal procedures earlier you recycle your used CFLs.

What Do I Do If I Break a CFL?

Although the accidental breakage of a lamp is very unlikely to cause any wellness bug, it'due south always proficient practise to minimise whatsoever unnecessary exposure to mercury, also equally risk of cuts from glass fragments.

If you accidentally break a CFL, follow these steps:

Ventilate the room.
Wipe the area with a damp cloth, place the cloth in a handbag, and seal it.
Utilize mucilaginous tape, such every bit duct tape or something similar, to choice upwardly the modest residual pieces or powder from nearby soft furnishings, then place the tape in another sealed plastic pocketbook. Your plastic bags don't need to be air tight, merely they should be reasonably sturdy.
Place both plastic numberless into another larger pocketbook and seal that i as well. This minimizes the chances of being cutting by cleaved drinking glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do traditional bulbs requite a improve quality of light?

For technical reasons, the glass used in the manufacture of household energy saving lite bulbs has to be opaque, non transparent like the drinking glass that is used in many traditional incandescent bulbs. Regardless of these technical requirements, yous won't see a difference in brightness when y'all compare a CFL to an incandescent bulb.

How long volition compact fluorescent lamps terminal?

Many CFLs volition concluding for 8,000-10,000 hours of use. This is significantly greater than traditional incandescent bulbs, which often last for less than 1,000 hours. You tin extend the life of your CFLs past leaving them on for at least xv minutes at a time – turning them off and on frequently will shorten the life of the bulb.

How many watts exercise I demand with a CFL bulb to supervene upon my current lights?

Energy use is measured in watts, but low-cal output is measured in lumens. Merely put, the more lumens, the brighter the light. Considering CFLs are so much more efficient, they use less energy (watts) to produce the same amount of calorie-free (lumens). In full general, you will demand 1 watt from a CFL bulb for every 4 watts from an incandescent bulb. The table below provides a guide for replacing different watt incandescent bulbs with a CFL:

If you are replacing a 40-watt incandescent light bulb, you lot will simply need a ix to 13 watt CFL bulb. Still, don't get hung up on watts – remember to evaluate the number of lumens in order to select the proper seedling for brightness, and don't forget to consider the color temperature for the proper ambience.

Can I use a low energy CFL bulb with a dimmer switch?

No. Most energy saving CFLs bulbs aren't fully compatible with dimmer switch circuits, and fitting one will cause the bulb to flicker continuously.

Are iii-pin CFL calorie-free bulbs available?

Aye!

Can I utilise CFLs In bathrooms?

CFLs, including decorative CFLs such as globe CFLs, tin can be used in all rooms, including bathrooms. Withal, proceed in listen that high humidity may shorten the useful life of your CFLs. To keep humidity downwardly, run the fan during and after showers and baths.

Tin I use CFLs outdoors?

Because many outdoor lights are on for several hours each day, replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs can salvage you lot significant amounts of energy. Acquit in heed that farthermost temperatures may touch on some bulbs – when it is very cold, it may have longer for these bulbs to reach total brightness.

Tin I plow CFLs on and off frequently?

Turning your lights off to salve energy is ever a adept thought. However, turning a CFL on and off frequently can shorten its life. You can easily extend the life of your compact fluorescent bulbs past leaving them on for at least 15 minutes at a fourth dimension.

Tin can I use CFLs in a totally enclosed fixture?

Enclosed fixtures practise not let sufficient air-menses to cool the bulbs. Fifty-fifty though CFL bulbs produce much less rut than incandescent bulbs, they tin can exist more sensitive. We do not recommend that you apply CFLs in a completely enclosed fixture, but nosotros practise advise that you cheque the individual manufacturer product data for more details on your fixture.

If you have any questions virtually choosing the correct CFL, call our friendly service staff at: 01869 362222 or email.