Go Green Save Money | Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Models (CFL styles)
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Models (CFL styles)
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) combine the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting with the convenience and popularity of incandescent fixtures. There are several different sizes and shapes of compact fluorescent bulbs. Some have two, four, or six tubes. Others have circular or spiral-shaped tubes. The size or total surface area of the tube(s) determines how much light it produces.
The following CFL bulb models (with the exception of the circular lamps) come with standard sockets for easy installation in most common household applications. These bulbs are available in stores and online.
Spiral Lamps
The shape of a spiral lamp is a continuous tube in a spiral shape, with an outside shape and light casting qualities that are comparable to those of a standard incandescent bulb. Spiral CFL bulbs come in several different sizes to fit most common fixtures. The similarity in shape and light casting qualities to a standard incandescent bulb make this the most popular model of compact fluorescent light bulb. The initial manufacturer of this style is GE, which calls it the Heliax.
Twin Tube Lamps (Biax, or Dulux lamps)
A lamp that has two parallel tubes is called a Twin Tube Lamp. They are designed to fit into lamps, task lights, recessed ceiling lights and wall lights.
Triple Tube Lamps (Triple Biax Lamps)
These CFLs cram more tubing in a smaller area and as a result generate even more light in a shorter bulb. Because they provide a high amount light output from a bulb that takes up a very small amount of space they are commonly used in fixtures designed for incandescent bulbs, such as table lamps, reading lamps, open hanging lamps, and bare bulb applications.
Quad Tube Lamps (Double Biax, PL Clusters, or PLC lamps)
Quad Tube Lamps give nearly the same light output as twin-tube of equivalent wattage while being only half as long. This type of bulb fits better in smaller lamps and similar applications.
Standard Lamps
These are spiral lamps with a dome cover. They give the appearance of the traditional light bulb and appeal to consumers looking for the more familiar light bulb appearance. The glass diffuser provides a quality of light similar to the ‘soft-white’ type of incandescent bulbs. The tubes are enclosed in a glare reducing globe-shaped casing that makes them look more like large incandescents.
Globe Lamps
This shape is usually found in bathroom vanity mirrors or open hanging lamps, and bare bulb applications. Bathroom vanities require multiple bulbs, which generate heat. The CFL globe will reduce this heat buildup while saving energy. Like the standard lamps, the tubes are enclosed in a glass diffuser that provides a soft-white light.
Flood Lamps
These lamps are ideal for recessed and track lighting fixtures, indoors and outdoors. They provide diffused, soft, white light, and generate less heat than will an incandescent flood or a halogen bulb. Contrary to standard and globe lamps, this diffuser is cylindrical, not globe-shaped.
Candelabra
The screw-in torpedo-shape and the small-base of this bulb is designed for smaller light fixtures throughout the house, from chandeliers to sconces. To use a smaller candelabra-based bulb in a regular socket, you can use a socket reducer, available at many hardware stores and home improvement centers.
F Lamps
F lamps have two twin tubes, aligned top to bottom instead of side to side like a Quad tube making the shape of the bulb resemble an F. This type of is commonly used for task lights and low profile recessed fixtures.
Circular (Circline) Lamps
The only lamps out of this list that don’t fit into traditional sockets, circular lamps were designed for reading lamps and other lamps which use a circular light. There are some individual brands that give the “cool white” light found in a typical fluorescent. Other circlines available, however, have electronic ballasts and give warm light so it is important to make sure you buy the right for what you are lighting.
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Go green, save money! All the different CFL styles available facilitates finding the perfect compact fluorescent lightbulbs for your home.
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