compact fluorescent lamps

[houseband]

i don't know if this is the right forum to post this... feel free to move if its better located elsewhere

when we moved into our townhouse that was previously-owned, i converted all the bulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).

i believe they last longer and in the long run would be more cost-efficient considering their price.

however, i noticed that bulbs in the bathrooms didn't last that long. i found this quite paradoxic because they are not used that long (but more often), but they tend to get busted more frequently.

so are CFLs recommended to all rooms in the house?

also, from experience, which brands are the best? i noticed there is now a huge array of brands available with a wide price range.

are the more expensive ones necessarily the better ones?

thanks again!

[2diy4]

I also had the same problem. The CFL in the main bathroom of my house lasted only around 6 months or so, while most of the other lights, which are on for longer periods of time like the outdoor lights are still going strong after almost three years.

When CFLs were first introduced, there were prominent signs in the package of the better known brands that they should not be used for intermittent use, like in bathrooms. Now, this warning has disappeared and most pinoyhandymen use CFLs even in bathrooms.

I am fortunate that I still have some older CFLs that are not electronic, but rather use a ballast, like a regular fluorescent lamp. I now use one of this in the main bathroom, and this has lasted almost two years already.

Thus for bathrooms, ordinary incandescent lamps may still be best, unless you have a ballast type CFL. Or convert to ordinary fluorescent. 10 watts should be sufficient for a small bathroom.

On your question of brands, I still believe in using CFLs that have well known brands. Because of competition and promos, many of these branded types have prices that are now in the P100 range. These make better bargains than unbranded ones that used to cost much less than P100 but may not last as long.

[nicolodeon]

I've been using CFLs for years and based on my experience, brand name CFLs last longer - especially Phillips. The China-made CFLs that I once bought at the market for 3 pieces per P 100 lasted only a week.
However, the are some cheap "name" brands in the market that are actually really good - just under P 200 and lasts decently long enough.

I had the same experience with my bathroom lights before and it turned out there was something wrong with the wire used - it was not the right gauge. So, I had to change it to the correct gauge then used a circuit breaker with a higher rating. So far, so goos.

[junn2006]

ok ba yong circular flourescent lamps na 22w or 32 watts sa CR?

will it last last long compared to CFLs?

[fortuner13]

jun 2006...
if Ballast type yun circular lamp mo, I think mas tatagal yan compare to cfl,

for CFL better use Philips or G.E. brand although life span indicated in the label in ALL cfl is not accurate. try take a closer look yun YELLOW STICKER (required by DTI) na naka dikit sa box mismo ng cfl indicating how many hours life span , mapapansin niyo may "***" yun number of hours nila, and below the label nakasulat sa mga *** minsan 50% lang umaabot sa ganun life span, in short swertehan :)

[peklat]

I've been using CFLs for years and based on my experience, brand name CFLs last longer - especially Phillips. The China-made CFLs that I once bought at the market for 3 pieces per P 100 lasted only a week.
However, the are some cheap "name" brands in the market that are actually really good - just under P 200 and lasts decently long enough.

I had the same experience with my bathroom lights before and it turned out there was something wrong with the wire used - it was not the right gauge. So, I had to change it to the correct gauge then used a circuit breaker with a higher rating. So far, so goos.


yahh... na try ko narin makagamit ng china made na CFLs..... it gave me a lot of headache..... lagi akong pumupunta sa store to buy a new one.... but noong pinadalhan ako ng sister-law ko made in germany.... ilang months narin na hindi napupundi

[knights_templar]

Basta patakbuhing brand, for sure di magtatagal.

[trackers888]

Right now I used electronic circular lighting sa bathroom. one month palang since we transfer (newly built house) at wala pang sign ng breakage. All light I used was CFL (7W Akari) sa mga pin light ko, may 1 year waranty from Citi hardware. Meron ng isang bumigay so wait pa ko for other breakdown para mapalitan ng new. Marami na akong na try na CFL, usualy branded ang purchase ko, ngayon ko lang sinubukan mag iba ng brand.

[Eric2006]

In my experience with these cfl's they do not really last long inside the bathroom because of the on-off nature. This is applicable to all types of fluorescent lights. Better use Incancescent in your Bathrooms.

[wilie_witch]

Compact Flourescent Lamps or CFL is not intended for places wherein humidity is high. Meaning air circulating inside that particular room is moist or wet. Aside from the fact that all flourescent light life, either tube or bulb, last longer if you will have it ON for longer period (inversely proportional to incandescent bulb- the longer it stayed on the shorter life it would have). This is due to high current delivered to the filaments during start-up. That's the reason why even in International settings, incandescent bulb is being used in bathrooms. In case you really want to use CFL, buy a fixture (pinlight or other design) with glass enclosure. With this, no moisture will come inside. Well, as you know, electronic ballast and filament ballast (used by CFL) is prone to damage in moist environment. Same is true when you use it as an exterior lightings. I suggest you use lower wattage incandescent bulb in your bathroom unless you cant stop reading while seating in your throne ;D...it's kinda romantic you know.

[2diy4]

Yup, I agree with willie witch. Daylight CFLs make the skin look weird and deathly white. Incandescent lamps give the skin a warm glow. Really more romantic.

[junn2006]

so to summarize sa bathrooms,

cfls madali masira
flourescent light na balast type mas magtatagal compared to cfls
incandescent pinaka matagal...

added question...
pareho ba brightness ng 22w na balast type floresent n 22w CFL?

[peklat]

so to summarize sa bathrooms,

cfls madali masira
flourescent light na balast type mas magtatagal compared to cfls
incandescent pinaka matagal...

added question...
pareho ba brightness ng 22w na balast type floresent n 22w CFL?




in general hindi siyempre.... dahil mas malawak ang ilumination ng mga floresent.... pero ang consumption.... siyempre pareho..... kaya nga same 22w.....

[boybi]

I use the ordinary fluorescent tubes in our bathroom, but with moisture proof casing, Eurolight yata ang brand. More than 2 yrs na and ok pa rin.

[mikaztro]

Buy CFL's that have transformers(heavy type-electronic cfls). Philips CFl will do the trick. If you want a cozy ambiance, buy the "warm" cfl.

[mazdamazda]

I haven't had any problem with using CFLs in our bathrooms (either in our old house or in our new one). Maybe it's because of the high ceiling or good ventilation. Maybe you can try using an enclosed outdoor type CFL for your bathroom.

Anyway, the CFLs that I placed in our lamp posts for our gate got busted after a few months... due to moisture I think. The problem is that I couldn't unscrew the blasted lamp posts to check it out further. :'(

[Reverend Ray]

im using CFL in my petshop aquariums, the bulbs are located right above each of the aquarium tanks, so far isa lang nasira coz of the strong bubbles of one of the tank, natuto na ako after that and adjusted the bubbles para di syado lakas :o

[vice]

aha. ganun pala. Ganyan din nangyari sa mga CFL ko sa lampost sa bahay namin. 2 year pa lang kami sa house mga 2 times na ko nagpalit ng bulb. Siguro palitan ko na lang ng mas weatherproof na housing para magtagal.

yung sa CR namin na CFL di pa naman nasira after 2 years. siguro dahil may housing yung bulbs?

[houseband]

thanks mga bros...

the info here really helped me a lot. i will try to replace the CFLs in my bathrooms with those na may casing, yung mga kagaya ng mga naunang lumabas na CFL.

the encased CFLs might be a little more expensive, but i guess, the casing will protect the CFL element from too much moisture and humidity that i guess are limiting the lifespan of these CFLs in these areas...

thanks ulit. this site rocks! :)

[stealthy]

i've tried once to open up an old ballast-type CFL from Philips. this type of CFL is heavy compared to the newer version that we have right now. it also flickers when you turn it on due to the starter inside it.

if you have a ballast-type CFL that won't turn on and it doesn't have black ends yet, it maybe the starter that got busted. you can try opening it and change the starter. i used the multi-range starter (20W to 40W). there is a little bit of soldering involved and it's a bit tricky to remove the housing. be very careful when removing the housing as it is made of glass and might cause injuries if it breaks. use epoxy glue when re-assembling the housing and the base. it should be good to use for a few more hours. :)

[czildjianako]

Right now I used electronic circular lighting sa bathroom. one month palang since we transfer (newly built house) at wala pang sign ng breakage. All light I used was CFL (7W Akari) sa mga pin light ko, may 1 year waranty from Citi hardware. Meron ng isang bumigay so wait pa ko for other breakdown para mapalitan ng new. Marami na akong na try na CFL, usualy branded ang purchase ko, ngayon ko lang sinubukan mag iba ng brand.


ot. saan ka located? Citi hardware ay sa visayas at mindanao lang yata meron. dyan ako bumili ng mga materials sa construction ng bahay sa bohol.

[blackeye]

when we moved in last year to our new house, I made it a point to use CFL for all my lighting needs. Magastos sa una kasi mas mahal but it saves electricity. I stick with branded CFLs that offer 1 year warranty (Toshiba and OSRAM in particular). I've had a few busted CFL's but I easily get them replaced from Ace or Tru Value (I just show them the receipt). No problem so far sa bathroom CFL. I year waranty is really great. I guess if the CFL lasted more than 1 year, sulit na yun.

[VtEC]

thanks mga bros...

the info here really helped me a lot. i will try to replace the CFLs in my bathrooms with those na may casing, yung mga kagaya ng mga naunang lumabas na CFL.

the encased CFLs might be a little more expensive, but i guess, the casing will protect the CFL element from too much moisture and humidity that i guess are limiting the lifespan of these CFLs in these areas...

thanks ulit. this site rocks! :)

when you say casing are you refering to the housing? bathroom lights should atleast have a vapor type trim.these housing are recessed type mounted with vapor type trim.cfl's are not meant for moist areas unless they are protected.

[VtEC]

i may just add, little by little, the bulbs of thomas edison will soon say goodbye to the market becuse of their contribution to the global warming.hello to cfl's.

[stealthy]

among the cfl brands out in the market, in your experience, which brand really lives up to expectations?

we've been using philips cfl in our garage and it normally last around 1.5 years at 10 hours a day usage.

[VtEC]

we usually carry the GE, they are cheap and reliable compared to other brands.Sylvania is good also.

[Jason_10]

i plan to replace the conventional fluorescent lamps in our office. but i do have some queries:
1. is it worth it? will it really save on electricity cost?
2. does it get hot like the conventional FL?
3. what brand is recommended and where to get them the cheapest?

TIA.

[2diy4]

CFLs are worth it, if you replace incandescent lamps. Any of the top brands like Philips, GE, Toshiba, Osram, etc. will give you long service. Many of these brands often have sale items that go much cheaper than regular prices.

[VtEC]

i plan to replace the conventional fluorescent lamps in our office. but i do have some queries:
1. is it worth it? will it really save on electricity cost?
2. does it get hot like the conventional FL?
3. what brand is recommended and where to get them the cheapest?

TIA.


for item 1: since me plan kang magpalit ng fixtures consider also the following;
a) housing ng cfl
b) trims
c) syempre palit tiles din (either ang gamit nyo e 2x2 or 2x4 fixtures)

item 2) you are not talking about the radiant right?mainit din sya sir, just like the ordinary incandescent bulb

item 3) GE, philips

[Jason_10]

update:
i tried a sample pair of cfl. replaced the old ballast and bulb. installation was very straightforward.

i noticed the ff:
very quiet operation
less heat

the bulb replaced was 36w. the cfl was rated 28w. saved 8w per bulb. not bad na rin.

[VtEC]

less heat, yan talaga ang kagandahan sa mga cfl. kaya nga papalitan na mga incandescent bulbs dahil sa sobrang emission nila ng heat.


update:
i tried a sample pair of cfl. replaced the old ballast and bulb. installation was very straightforward.

i noticed the ff:
very quiet operation
less heat

the bulb replaced was 36w. the cfl was rated 28w. saved 8w per bulb. not bad na rin.

[Jason_10]

btw guys i'm having second thoughts. in our office, we're still using 2x2 fluorescent light frame that houses 2 x 36w fluorescent lamps. I'm thinking of replacing those with 4 x 8w CFL's. the ones with recessed lights. i will just fabricate a box to serve as the frame for the lights.

what do you think? that would translate to about 50% savings in electricity. wow! ;D

[VtEC]

btw guys i'm having second thoughts. in our office, we're still using 2x2 fluorescent light frame that houses 2 x 36w fluorescent lamps. I'm thinking of replacing those with 4 x 8w CFL's. the ones with recessed lights. i will just fabricate a box to serve as the frame for the lights.

what do you think? that would translate to about 50% savings in electricity. wow! ;D


hmm seems a good idea.pero i'm having doubts kung pano mo gagawin.yong recessed lightings kasi me sariling frame (housing) na yon plus the trims) so pano mafifit don sa 2x2 na current fixture mo?not unless lagyan mo ng new tiles yong area ng 2x2.just my cent.