Blame the Incandescent Light Bulb Ban?
8 years ago
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Comments (16)
- 8 years ago
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Best replacement/substitute for 100 W incandescent floods?
Comments (5)The government started the timetable for limiting the sale of R lamps in 1992 because they were so inefficient. They don't appear to put out as much heat (and light) as more modern lamps designs because less heat and light is projected out of the fixture by the old R type reflector. You should have at least been using ER or BR type lamps which are not much more efficient but were not restricted by the '92 law. (R20 lamps were exempted). A more efficient incandescent lamp is the PAR type (parabolic aluminized reflector). If it uses a halogen capsule it is even more efficient and if it has an IR coating it is even better and therefore it is possible to use a smaller wattage. I suspect that when you tried a halogen lamp you used one with too large a wattage and too narrow a beam spread since you probably didn't know how efficient the reflector design was. The old R lamps came in Spot (20 deg.) and Flood (60 deg.) but modern PAR lamps are made in NSP (9 deg.), SP (12 deg.), FL (28 deg.) and WFL (60 deg.). You should try a Sylvania 75w. frosted halogen PAR Fl or WFL lamp. You should go to an electrical supply store rather than a Home Depot or the internet. The quality of light and reduction in glare will be impressive. When I renovate a house I replace the lamps in the recessed fixtures that are not going to be replaced and the owners think they're new fixtures especially if the original R lamps were not recessed above the ceiling much. You didn't say the size. A recessed fixture that uses an R/BR/ER 40 lamp would use a PAR 38 lamp. The 20 and 30 sizes are the same. Be sure to insist on a frosted PAR lamp even if it has to be ordered. And a 130v. rated lamp will last a lot longer than a 120v. rated lamp. An IR or HIR model will be about 30% more efficient but will be expensive....See MoreNew light bulb requirements, 2012
Comments (5)Although they're a bit bulkier, there are CFL bulbs that look like normal incandescent bulbs instead of the "twirly whirly". They're also available in floodlight shape, globes, torpedos, fancy candelabras, and with odd-sized bases. At this time CFLs are not recommended for fixtures that vibrate, like ceiling fans and garage door openers, or in enclosed recessed light fixtures. We had problems with CFLs in outdoor fixtures starting up properly and giving less light than they were supposed to when it was very cold. I certainly hope by 2012 the bulbs cast a more attractive light though - I hate them. We Freecycled about a dozen of them when we moved in, everything but the basement and attic ones. The already-rather-ugly kitchen looked even worse under CFLs, and let's not talk about stumbling into the bathroom first thing in the morning and being presented with your reflection under that weird light. Yeeek. In my town you are supposed to save CFL bulbs for the hazmat collection day. I don't think most people do though, too much hassle. Check with your utility company - many of them offer free bulbs or rebates to offset much of the initial cost of the bulbs....See MoreLightbulbs banned by new law ?
Comments (12)As someone mentioned one of my complaints about CFL's is quality. I picked up, I think the brand was NeoVision, at Home Depot. It was the only CFL they had that was the "equivalent" of 150 watt incandescent because I had intended to use it as a reading lamp. The thing buzzed horribly. My other big complaint is the lack of consistent information about color temperature. I've seen lamps labeled cool white, warm white, daylight, and "craft" without necessarily a corresponding number....See MoreWhat Type Of Light Bulbs Do You Prefer And Why?
Comments (18)Another CFL hater here. One was broke in our basement and I wasn't thrilled. You know, we have CFL bulbs in our chandelier over the table. They're very warm/yellow and I forget which ones there were. I do remember we needed another box and we bought a different kind by accident the light looked almost bluish white in the globe! I'm wondering if that was the cool or the daylight. I can't remember what we have even if I needed to replace one. What are they getting rid of the old bulbs? To be "green"? Gosh, I hate that overused phrase. Bulbs filled with mercury are so green dontcha think?...See More- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
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