Non-recessed fixtures and CFL's--anyone got 'em?

11 years ago

I'm sorry to be so annoying, but I'm having a tough time figuring out whether and how I can end up with lighting fixtures in the kitchen rather than cans, withing the California regulation, (title 24.) I thought I had it figured out with cfl wired schoolhouse lights from Rejuvenation until the electrician mentioned that bulbs hanging base-up withing a glass shade may get too hot and shorten the life of the bulb, as well as the fixture eventually. The woman I spoke to at R. had not heard of this but in googling I did come across the problem. I don't know if this is a rarity or there haven't been too many postings about it. LED's are not a possibility in these fixtures, which must be wired (gu 24) for cfl's. Has anyone successfully dealt with this issue?

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Comments (6)

angie_diy
11 years ago
Erin, Can you post some of the links you found?
sjerin
Original Author
11 years ago
http://nehomeenergy.unl.edu/web/homeenergy/CompactFluorescentBurnOut

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_about ("Give them air" near bottom)

From Techniart FAQ's:
Can I use my CFL in a totally enclosed fixture?
Before using a CFL in a totally enclosed fixture, you should consult the product packaging. CFLs that are not designed for totally enclosed fixtures will typically carry a disclaimer that indicates that they are not intended for this type of application. Because totally enclosed fixtures do not allow air to circulate around the lamp, it causes heat to build up, which can lead to performance issues.

Though CFLs do not produce nearly as much heat as incandescents, they are more sensitive to heat, which can effect their performance. Some of the components in a CFL can not withstand high heat, unless specifically engineered to do so. The excess heat that is created in a totally enclosed fixture can cause the light output to be diminished, the bulb to appear to "dim" more quickly than CFLs used in applications that allow airflow, and a shorter bulb lifetime. The most effective way at this time to ensure that the particular product you are interested in purchasing is designed to withstand high-heat applications, is to check the packaging or contact the manufacturer directly.

Now I'll look to see if there are bulbs specifically made for enclosed fixtures.
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michoumonster
11 years ago
i have been looking at this site which sells a lot of cfls. they have several that they claim are for totally enclosed fixtures.
hope you can find one that works with your light!

Here is a link that might be useful: store that sells CFLs for enclosed lights
angie_diy
11 years ago
Shorten the life of the bulb? I can buy that. The fixture? I don't buy it (and your sites don't mention it.)
sjerin
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, it was the electrician who implied that eventually the light fixture itself may go bad; maybe he was protecting himself, idk.

Thank you, MM. There are lots of possibilities there, though no schoolhouse lights, upon which I seem fixated.

Mulling all this over, I'm wondering if it might not be a better idea to try to fool the inspector, then get incandescent fixtures into which I could put cfl's and see if I like the light. The real problem is that I can't SEE the lights irl I'm interested in, with cfl or led lights. The three lighting stores I went to only had recessed lights with i. bulbs--wonder why? I'm thinking they show better with incandescents. Thank you for putting up with my angst!!
cawaps
11 years ago
The fixture comment makes no sense at all, since CFLs put off less heat than incandescents. So if a CFL would damage the fixture due to heat, wouldn't it be a much bigger problem with incandescents? And it's not.

It is true generally that excess heat will shorten CFL lifetimes, but I have been using CFLs in enclosed fixtures for decades, and the lamps have lasted for years. Did they last as long as they would have in an open fixture? Maybe not. Did they last longer than an incandescent? Almost always, and I think the exceptions were defective bulbs, not excess heat.

Non-recessed fixtures and CFL's--anyone got 'em?

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Non-recessed fixtures and CFL's--anyone got 'em?

Comments (6)

angie_diy

sjerinOriginal Author

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