I just started buying those spiral flourescent bulbs in my house. The bulb says it outputs the "equivalent" of a 60 watt incandescent for only 13 watts. I don't care what they say, it is not as bright as a 60 watt incandesent. can I put a higher watt fluorescent bulb in there. I was thinking of using the one that is 100 watt equivalent. I know that putting a 100 watt incandescent bulb in a 60 watt fixture is dangerous, but the 100 watt "equivalent" fluorescent only uses 26 watts. Should that be safe?
2007-12-05 09:36:58 · 7 answers · asked by dadboyle 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
yes you can
the biggest issue with many light fixtures is the heat that is produced by the bulbs. since the fluorescent puts out very very little heat that is not a problem. one of the biggest problem with some of the fluorescent is the time it takes for them to warm up. they get brighter as they warm up so depending on where you are going to use them you have to consider that. they also now make these bulbs that are more of an instant on they are on the higher end of the price scale for fluorescent but in any event they pay for themselves with energy savings and they last years.
2007-12-05 09:46:23 · answer #1 · answered by michr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i say yes it's safe. i have at least 10 such bulbs in my house. so long as that second number doesn't exceed the 60 watts it should be fine. you're right abut the output not being the same. (brightness) i have a lot of the 100 fluorescent bulbs that only have an output of about 20 to 23 watts.
the wattage is more of a capacity that the wire current shouldn't exceed. higher wattage (incandescent) can and has melted those wires. i speak from experience.
26 watts should be fine. after plugging in the unit and turning it on, all you have to do is feel the wire where it's plugged in for heat.
I'm sure it's o.k.
good luck to ya
2007-12-05 14:13:50 · answer #2 · answered by adam/penny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
The CFL you're wanting to use only uses 26 watts, it just has the equivalent output of a 100W incandescent.
What they're saying is that a CFL has a higher lumens per watt ratio than an incandescent lamp.
The lampholders are rated according to how much heat they can handle in watts. As long as you don't exceed the actual wattage rating of the lampholder you're in business.
2007-12-05 11:55:31 · answer #3 · answered by David B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those markings on spiral fluorescent lamps are
"incandescent equivalents".
The lamps themselves are 27 watts or less.
It's the real watts that count.
Since the concern is for waste heat and the
fluorescents are more efficient anyway,
it's quite safe to install a 100W. equivalent
fluorescent in a 60W. limited fixture.
2007-12-05 10:47:28 · answer #4 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not exceed the WATTS of the fixture. Where most folks get confused with CFL's is LUMENS. Watts is the amount of electricity used. Lumens is the amount of light generated by the bulb. Soooo, you can use just about any bulb you want, as long as it is 60 WATTS or less.
2007-12-05 11:00:46 · answer #5 · answered by axenboots 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As 1 and 2 state YES you can. For one thing the spirals are cooler operating, in that heat is diffused by their design.
I have 100's in table lamps with no problem. I also have 60's in a Kitchen Ceiling fan fixture and notice that they BRIGHTEN as they remain on???
In any case this is probably something that has Edison turning in his grave, but evolution happens. Thankfully in this appliance.
2007-12-05 10:23:20 · answer #6 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes thats why they rate them higher, [watts] it takes less amprage to run, there by saveing you $,
I changed all of mine and cut my bill by $15.
2007-12-05 09:42:35 · answer #7 · answered by William B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋