Confused about compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs?
Color
The color temperature of light is rated in degrees Kelvin (K). A candle is at 1500 degrees Kelvin and produces a "warm" light with an orange tint; daylight is at 6000 degrees Kelvin and leans towards a blue tint. See chart. CFL bulbs at 2700 Kelvin range are considered “Soft White” and will more closely match the quality of yellowish light from incandescent bulbs.
CFL bulbs also come in 4000 and 6500 Kelvin. The 4000 Kelvin bulb is considered “Cool White” and is a neutral color that is whiter and some consider better for reading lamps. The 6500 Kelvin bulb is closest to actual “Daylight” and provides a cool light with a blue tint. I prefer the soft white/2700 Kelvin bulbs for living areas and 4000 Kelvin for kitchen/work areas.
Wattage
CFL bulbs save energy by using less energy to produce the same amount of light. Most packaging will tell you the equivalent wattage. Since CFL bulbs last longer, they save you money by being changed less frequently.
CFL Bulbs = Incandescent Bulb
9-12 watt 40 wattincandescent
13-18 watt 60 watt incandescent
19-24 watt 75 watt incandescent
25-30watt 100 watt incandescent
Fluorescent vs. LED?
PG&E’s Pacific Energy Center has a large demonstration room where you can compare different types of lighting fixtures and bulbs. They have furnished room sets, where you can compare Incandescent, Halogen, Fluorescent, and LED light quality and how each type of light might distort the colors you actually see.
They offer free classes which require pre-registration. They fill up, so sign up early. Check online http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/edusafety/training/pec/classes/ or call 415-973-2277 for a schedule. If you can’t make a class, you can stop by and one of the staff people can let you into the room (call first to make sure the lighting person is available).
Note: In addition to lighting classes, the Pacific Energy Center offers classes on: Energy Efficiency, (the Building Envelope and Building Performance); Daylighting, using windows and skylights; HVAC, about your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Pacific Energy Center 851 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94103 http://www.pge.com/pec/ 415-973-2277
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