Recent research in fluorescent lighting has resulted in sharper bulb color and brightness.
Given the cost savings and tax breaks that businesses can derive from greening their operations, knowing the differences between fluorescent bulb types is a skill that can directly affect the bottom line. According to Energy Star, fluorescent bulbs use only about one-quarter of the energy that incandescent lamps do while providing the same amount of illumination. they also last 10 times longer. The three most common types of fluorescent bulbs are linear or straight tube, compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs and circline lamps.
Instructions
1. The spiral shape easily identifies this compact fluorescent bulb.
Look at their shapes. Energy-efficient bulbs are almost always spiraled; compact fluorescent bulbs are tubes that spiral in either a circle or long loops. Identify linear fluorescent lights by their long, straight, tubular shape; these are not as energy efficient as the compact fluorescent bulbs. Look at the end of the bulb to determine whether it can be screwed into an existing socket -- an integrated bulb -- or whether you must install it in a ballast and socket designed to match its specifications -- nonintegrated bulb. Integrated bulbs have a screw-in bottom while the nonintegrated variety plugs at the end.
2. Read the package. Discover details that provide information about the differences in fluorescent bulbs on the box. Compare the efficacy, lifetime hours, color rendition index, color temperature and whether it can be used indoors or outdoors. The efficacy is measured in watts and informs you how bright the light is.
3. Study the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star charts. Peruse the Energy Star website to determine whether the bulbs you are considering qualify as energy efficient and how much you save using them. Read the comparison charts that guide you in choose the right bulb, depending on whether you are using it indoors, outdoors, in a ceiling fan, as part of track lighting, in a table lamp, in a wall sconce or as flood lighting.
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