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AR15.COM
9/14/2007 3:56:36 PM EDT
Anything to look out for when buying low energy bulbs? I plan on switching my whole house over. I've never used one since maybe 12 years ago and they were horrible. What is a good one to get for general household lighting? Or do I need to buy a few different ones and try them out.
9/14/2007 4:01:22 PM EDT
[#1]
Most normal CFLs don't like:
- dimmers
- being completely enclosed, like in a recessed fixture.

You can buy special ones that are dimmable. They are particularly expensive.
9/14/2007 4:03:17 PM EDT
[#2]
We use the Sylvania line of CFL's.  We tried the GE's but they hummed very loudly and were a little more $...

The Sylvania's still hum just a tit but you have to be within like 2ft to hear it.
9/14/2007 4:04:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Serch for LED bulbs, they are great and will be more popular in the future.
9/14/2007 4:06:17 PM EDT
[#4]
I bought some nice GE ones with a long warranty (I like GE) and one failed in a couple of months.  I bought some no-name ones from Menard's and they all work great!  Good luck!  

Like they said, no dimmers.
9/14/2007 8:20:59 PM EDT
[#5]
We switched the whole house earlier this year.  The best place I found to see what's available was Light Bulb Emporium.  They have dimmables, 3-ways, candlebra and standards in various temperatures.  Once you decide what you want, then search for cheaper prices as LBE is not the cheapest but has the best selection.
9/14/2007 8:23:37 PM EDT
[#6]
If you use them in a multi-lamp fixture (ceiling fan for ex.), you should change all of the bulbs when one eventually burns out.

As the lamps ar eused, the phosphors change. Put in a new (unused) one - even the same brand / model / age, and the light will have a different quality.

Just swap them to single lamp fixtures & slap the required number of new ones in and you're good to go.
9/14/2007 8:27:07 PM EDT
[#7]

Quoted:
I bought some nice GE ones with a long warranty (I like GE) and one failed in a couple of months.  I bought some no-name ones from Menard's and they all work great!  Good luck!  

Like they said, no dimmers.


There are some dimmable ones like the TCP10111

Haven't found dimmable candebra base ones yet though.