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The 411 on CFLs
Terms & Conditions of Use
This month, Randall sets the record straight regarding compact fluorescent technology.
- By Randall Whitehead, IALD
Q: Randall, energy efficiency concerns motivate people to use compact fluorescent recessed lighting, but I’ve been frustrated getting answers to a few basic questions.
A: First off, thank you for even considering fluorescent. Most people would rather shave their heads than use fluorescent lighting in their home. Not that this is a bad look, I just don’t think that an aversion to a particular type of light should dictate one’s hairstyle choices. Really, many of the fluorescents of today are warm in color, don’t hum or flicker and are dimmable.
Q: Contractor mentality pooh-poohs “fluorescent color” and most lighting stores don’t have isolated displays to demonstrate color rendering. Are the 2,700K or 3,000K CFL bulbs a good color choice?
A: Both are good: 2,700K is close to incandescent and 3,000K is close to halogen in color.
Q: I worry about seeing the fluorescent lamp in a recessed fixture with a white baffle/white reflector trim. Are prismatic or opal lenses recommended?
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| Fluorescents are not only energy-efficient, they can also provide a warm, inviting quality of light. This Ingo Maurer pendant fixture uses five 20W CFLs but provides 375W worth of alluring illumination. |
A: I dislike being able to see the CFL when you look up into the recessed fixture and always use one with a lens. I find that if people can’t see the lamp, they don’t know that it is a fluorescent source.
Q: Does using a screw-base CFL in a standard recessed housing (much cheaper and allows dimming) meet California’s Title 24?
A: Title 24 disallows screw-in fluorescents. Inspectors assume homeowners will replace them with incandescent lamps as soon as they leave. However, I like using a dimmable compact fluorescent when Title 24 is not an issue. They come in numerous shapes and wattages, and some are dimmable with a standard incandescent dimmer.
Q: Do basic recessed can spacing rules remain when switching from PAR to CFL?
A: Yes. Compare a PAR flood (not spot) to a CFL. Both provide a comparably wide distribution of illumination.
FLAME ON
Philips Lighting now offers a very realistic LED votive candle called Aurelle. It flickers like an actual candle and is rechargeable. |
GOT A QUESTION FOR RANDALL?
Carnac the Magnificent’s got nothing on him.
Send questions to:
Residential Lighting magazine
attn: Last Word in Lighting
400 Knightsbridge Pkwy.Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Fax: (847) 634-7885
E-mail: cpalermo@vancepublishing.com |
Source: Residential Lighting January
2006
Copyright © 2010 Scranton Gillette Communications
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