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Choosing the right CFLs for Your Needs


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Amount of Light
CFLs provide the same amount of light (lumens) as traditional bulbs, but use less energy (watts).To find the right CFLs for your home, check the lumens listing on the packaging. Choose the lumen level that relates to the incandescent wattage you’re replacing.

So, if you are looking for a light bulb that gives off the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb, look for an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL that puts out 800 lumens or more.

LIGHT OUTPUT EQUIVALENCY :

Incandescent bulb (Watts) CFL (minimum lumens)
40
450
60
800
75
1,100
100
1,600
150
2,600

Choosing the Right Color
In the past CFLs were pretty much one color, a cold white that provided a special ghostly institutional glow (and a buzzing sound) that may still haunt your dreams. Let the past be the past. CFLs now come provide an inviting light and a Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) that will help you choose the right bulb for the right environment.

Look for CFLs with a CCT range between 2650 and 2800 degrees Kelvin (K) for a warm light very close to incandescent bulbs,

Color Measurements:

Color Kelvin
Warm White (Yellowish-White)
2650 - 3200K
Neutral
Neutral
Cool (Bluish-White), Also Called "Daylight"
Above 4000K

For lots more detail and reviews on CFLs, check the Environmental Defense site.

Back to Main CFLs page