More About Energy Saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps or Light Bulbs (CFLs)
What is a CFL?
Can using n:vision compact fluorescent lighting really save energy and save money on my electric bill?
What is ENERGY STAR?
Why do n:vision compact fluorescent lights cost more than incandescent bulbs?
Will an n:vision compact fluorescent light fit my light fixture?
Where should I use an n:vision compact fluorescent bulb?
Who manufactures n:vision CFLs?
Can I use an n:vision compact fluorescent bulb in a fully-enclosed fixture?
Can n:vision compact fluorescent light bulbs be dimmed?
Can n:vision compact fluorescent light bulbs be used in three-way lamps?
Can n:vision compact fluorescent light bulbs be used where it is wet or damp?
What about air temperature and compact fluorescent bulbs?
Can a compact fluorescent bulb be used in a dusk-to-dawn fixture?
Can compact fluorescent light bulbs create interference with electronic equipment?
What about electronic timers?
Do n:vision compact fluorescent light bulbs give off Ultraviolet (UV) light?
How long does it take for an n:vision compact fluorescent bulb to reach full brightness?
What wattage should I buy?
Should I be concerned about using CFLs in my home?
How do I safely dispose of a CFL when it burns out?
What should I do if I break a CFL?
What is a CFL?
CFL stands for compact fluorescent lamp. It is a small fluorescent light bulb that uses 75% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb and can be screwed into a regular light sockets.
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Can using n:vision compact fluorescent lighting really save energy and save money on my electric bill?
Yes. A single 19 watt CFL bulb burns 56 watts less than a comparable 75 watt incandescent bulb and provides the same amount of pleasing, warm white light. Over the 10,000 hour life of a CFL bulb, you would save 560 kilowatt hours. At 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, that’s a $56 energy cost savings per bulb. And don’t forget to deduct the cost of replacing 10 to 13 incandescent bulbs, which generally last only 750 to 1,000 hours each.
Click here to see how much you can save by switching to n:vision CFLs
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What is ENERGY STAR 
?
ENERGY STAR is a joint government program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions, making it easy to save money while protecting the environment for future generations.
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Why do n:vision compact fluorescent lights cost more than incandescent bulbs?
The price of a high quality n:vision compact fluorescent light bulb reflects technology development costs. And, each compact fluorescent has a built-in micro-sized ballast, adding to the cost. As the number of bulbs sold increases, the overall price will continue to decline.
n:vision CFLs offer great value. The extra initial price is quickly made up by energy savings. And, you would have to buy up to 10 incandescent light bulbs to last as long as one n:vision CFL. With utility rebates included, the price for one CFL on average is not much more than for one incandescent light bulb, and in some cases is less.
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Will an n:vision compact fluorescent light fit my light fixture?
Compact fluorescent light bulbs, which include a lamp and a ballast or transformer, come in many shapes and sizes. The n:vision 14w CFL fits in most places an incandescent does and n:vision offers the smallest size in the industry. Great strides have been made in reducing the overall size, and many CFLs are now equivalent in size or smaller than incandescent bulbs. However, it is best to measure your fixture and compare bulb sizes before purchasing a CFL.
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Where should I use an n:vision compact fluorescent bulb?
Use CFLs anyplace a traditional incandescent light bulb is used. However, the most practical use for a compact fluorescent bulb is in a lamp or fixtures turned on for at least three hours at a time. Hard to reach fixtures are also good candidates, since a CFL does not have to be changed as often as an incandescent bulb.
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Who manufactures n:vision CFLs?
Technical Consumer Products, a leading manufacturer of CFLs in the world, is the manufacturer of quality n:vision products. For more information on TCP visit their website www.tcpi.com.
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Can I use an n:vision compact fluorescent bulb in a fully enclosed fixture?
Yes, it is safe to use n:vision CFL bulbs that are 23 watts or below in a fully enclosed fixture.
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Can compact fluorescent light bulbs be dimmed?
The n:vision candelabra with both the medium base and candelabra base are fully dimmable compact fluorescent light bulbs.
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Can compact fluorescent light bulbs be used in 3-way lamps?
There are 3-way compact fluorescent bulbs sold specifically for 3-way lamps (n:vision sku # 160-588). A standard CFL can be used in a 3-way lamp, but you will only get light in the middle of the three on positions.
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Can n:vision compact fluorescent light bulbs be used where it is wet or damp?
Compact fluorescent light bulbs can be installed in wet or damp locations as long as they are a covered bulb such as a flood lamp. Regular spiral CFLs may be installed in sheltered exterior locations.
The following n:vision bulbs could be used for such a purpose:
n:vision floodlights
n:vision A-bulbs
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What about air temperature and n:vision compact fluorescent bulbs?
Compact fluorescent light bulbs may generally be used where the air temperature is between 20 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Above 140 degrees, there may be reduced light output and premature ballast failure. CFLs have a harder time starting below 32 degrees, reducing the brightness.
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Can an n:vision compact fluorescent bulb be used in a dusk-to-dawn fixture?
Dusk-to-dawn photocell fixtures designed for screw-in incandescent bulbs contain a silicon chip that converts radiant energy into electrical current. The technology is generally incompatible with screw-in CFLs, shortening the life of the bulb. However, fixtures with built-in photocells that are designed to use only compact fluorescent lamps contain a delayed instant-on circuit to make them compatible with fluorescents.
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Can compact fluorescent light bulbs create interference with electronic equipment?
This product may cause interference with radios, cordless phones, televisions and remote controls. If interference occurs, move this product away from the device and plug into a different outlet.
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What about electronic timers?
Electronic timers tend to have a small amount of electricity running through them even though a lamp is shut off. The lamp continually tries to turn itself on, which shortens the CFL life.
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Do n:vision compact fluorescent light bulbs give off Ultraviolet (UV) light?
Compact fluorescent bulbs give off a minimal amount of UV light. It does not pose a hazard.
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How long does it take for a compact fluorescent bulb to reach full brightness?
The start-up time for compact fluorescent lamps varies. Most electronically ballasted units start their lamps instantly. All fluorescent lamps start at a lower light output; depending on the ambient temperature, it may take anywhere from several seconds to several minutes for the lamp to come up to full brightness.
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What wattage should I buy?
When buying a compact fluorescent light bulb, choose a wattage that's about one-fourth of what you usually buy. The table below shows some typical wattage conversions for n:vision spiral CFLs:
- 15-watt incandescent = 3-watt compact fluorescent
- 40-watt incandescent = 9-watt compact fluorescent
- 60-watt incandescent = 14-watt compact fluorescent
- 75-watt incandescent = 19-watt compact fluorescent
- 100-watt incandescent = 23-watt compact fluorescent
- 120-watt incandescent = 30-watt compact fluorescent
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Should I be concerned about using n:vision CFLs in my home?
CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly.
For more information about mercury in CFLs please visit our Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury page.
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How do I safely dispose of a CFL when it burns out?
It is best to recycle your CFL. Recycling programs exist for mercury in older non-digital thermostats and mercury thermometers, but residential CFL recycling programs are just now appearing. To find a residential recycling program in your area, visit earth911.org or lamprecycle.org. You can also call 1-800-CLEAN-UP.
If recycling is not an option in your area, place the CFL in a sealed plastic bag and dispose the same way you would batteries, oil-based paint and motor oil at your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Site.
If your local HHW Collection Site cannot accept CFLs, seal the CFL in a plastic bag and place with your regular trash.
For more information about mercury in CFLs please visit our Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury page.
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What should I do if I break a CFL?
If a CFL breaks carefully sweep up all the fragments – wipe the area with a wet towel and dispose of all fragments, including the used towel, in a sealed plastic bag. Follow all disposal instructions.
If possible open windows to allow the room to ventilate. Do NOT use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and follow disposal instructions.
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