Home : Blogs : Lyn Sims ~ Chicago Northwest Suburbs : Lyn Sims ~ Schaumburg Homes ~ Chicago Northwest Suburbs ~ Illinois Real Estate

Don't Use CFL Bulbs in Garage Door Openers

Don't Use CFLs in Garage Door Openers

There have been several warnings concerning the use of CFL,Garage door opener, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in garage door openers. Most garage door openers use electronic switching similar to a dimmer switch to operate the light bulbs and it is not compatible with CFLs, even CFLs that are supposed to be "ruggedized" or dimmable. This switching incompatibility coupled with the inherent vibration of a garage door opener can damage the electronic circuits and can cause the electric motor to overheat to a potentially dangerous level. Neither the Genie Company, a company which makes door openers (call them at 800-354-3643), nor the General Electric Company, a CFL manufacturer, recommend the use of CFLs in garage door openers.

Consensus from Robert Nogan, Inside Out Home Inspections 10/2009 Home Hints Newsletter

Posted by Lyn Sims ~ Chicago Northwest Suburbs on 10/20/2009 06:08 PM

Comments (12)

cfl, garage door opener

Originally posted at: Real Estate Consumer Info.com: Don't Use CFL Bulbs in Garage Door Openers

This post has been included in Illinois Information Cook County, IL Information Hoffman Estates, IL Information
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Advice for Sellers
Post is included in group: Advice for Buyers
Post is included in group: Addicted to Active Rain

12 Comments on Don't Use CFL Bulbs in Garage Door Openers

OCT

Oops...guess I need to run to the garage before it burns down! Thanks for the info.

I did not know that Thanks for Posting this information

Craig & Jane - better be safe than sorry!

I don't like the CFL bulbs anyway. They don't put out light like the should and they contain mercury- bad for the environment!

Lyn - I have never heard this before, thank you for sharing!

I don't like them either but many people use them. You also have to recycle them just for those reasons you mentioned. I thought of putting one in the garage door openers & am glad I didn't after reading this.