Question I have is are there such lights that will work outside? I have dimmers on my porch lights so that's why I am asking. David Ferrin Life is what happens after you've already made other plans. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lenny McHugh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "handyman-blind" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2008 9:34 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lights - Take the Pledge: Switch to Energy-Saving Bulbs - Environmental Defense Fund
> When it comes to dimming, compact fluorescents work differently from their > incandescent cousins. In order for a CF bulb to work in a dimmer, it must > be > specially designed to do so. Be sure to read the package so that you'll > know > if your CF bulb works in dimmer-controlled fixtures. Also, finding where > to > buy dimmable CFs can be particularly difficult, but don't get discouraged. > Start with our list of dimmable CF bulbs. > > Here's another quirk. Unfortunately, even if a CF is designed for dimmers > it > might not work in yours. (The CF packaging spells this out, as well.) > Sometimes the only way to be sure a bulb will work is to test it. Check > the > store’s return policy and keep your receipt -- or let a friend try the > energy-saving bulb. But know that there's a bit of trial-and-error > involved > in the process. > > One last caveat. Once you've screwed your dimmable CF into your fixture > and > begin test-driving it, you might notice a difference in its dimming range. > While incandescent bulbs dim smoothly between being completely off to 100 > percent brightness, CF bulbs have a narrower dimming range. Generally, > dimmable CF bulbs can dim between 20 and 90 percent of full light. > > Why CF bulbs are harder to dim than traditional bulbs > You can dim a traditional incandescent bulb simply by reducing the amount > of > power sent to the bulb. Less power means less heat and less light. > > With CF bulbs, dimming is more complicated. Reducing power to a CF bulb > can > keep its filament from getting hot enough to work properly, and the bulb > simply goes out. Reducing the voltage can dim the light only by 30 to 50 > percent. To achieve better, more consistent dimming, designers must make > other adjustments. > > In all fluorescent bulbs, the ballasts (the bulb's "engine" located inside > the ceramic between the socket and bulb) are what make them work. The > ballast both starts the light and keeps it lit. > > Early CF bulbs had magnetic ballasts that did not easily lend themselves > to > dimming. When electronic ballasts came on the scene, it was easier to > design > these CFs for dimming. However, as with any new technology, dimmable CF > bulbs are still being refined. As more companies enter the growing market > for energy-saving bulbs, the options for dimmable bulbs are expected to > become wider and more easily available. > > It is worth the effort to find a CF for your dimmer—dimmable CF bulbs are > hands-down more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They use > less > electricity, cause less pollution and last much longer. Plus, when you dim > a > CF bulb, you save even more electricity. > > Posted: 12-Oct-2006; Updated: 01-Aug-2007 > > Source: http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagid=631 > > > ------------------------------------ > > Send any questions regarding list management to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=47:29 > Or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various > List Members At The Following address: > http://www.jaws-users.com/JAWS/handyman/ > > Visit the archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > If you would like to join the JAWS Users List, then visit the following > address for more information: > http://www.jaws-users.com/ > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list just send a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] Groups Links > > > ------------------------------------ Send any questions regarding list management to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To listen to the show archives go to link http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=47:29 Or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following address: http://www.jaws-users.com/JAWS/handyman/ Visit the archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ If you would like to join the JAWS Users List, then visit the following address for more information: http://www.jaws-users.com/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/join (Yahoo! 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