Q I just bought compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL) for the recessed lights in my kitchen. Now it seems like I'm working in an operating room, the light is so bright. What do I look for to get the right CFL bulb?
A Getting the right bulb for the light you want can be confusing. Here's some help:
• Choose the color temperature, if listed on the label, that's right for you. The temperature is measured in kelvins, and the higher the number, the brighter the color. A warm white bulb at approximately 2,700K will give off light most like that of an incandescent bulb. At about 5,000K, a cool white CFL will give off a white/blue light.
• Choose the shape. CFLs are available in a variety of shapes to fit a range of lamps and lighting fixtures.
• Match lumens to the incandescent light bulb being replaced. Lumens indicate the amount of light being generated. (Watts is a measure of energy use, not light strength.) Lumens to watts are usually listed on the label.
• For recessed lights: Pick the 13-, 20- or 23-watt. (That is equivalent to the incandescent 60- to 100-watt range.) The best screw-in bulbs for cans, according to the US. Department of Energy, are listed at www.pnl.gov/rlamps.
• Special bulbs: Your local home or hardware store might not have the right bulb or information on which bulb works with your fixture. For more information and to purchase bulbs, go to www.1000bulbs.com, www.bulbamerica.com or www.environmentallights. com. Although these sites sell CFLs, they also contain useful information on how to select the right bulb.
Be aware that compact fluorescent light bulbs generally can be used in enclosed fixtures as long as the enclosed fixture is not recessed, according to GE Lighting. Totally enclosed recessed fixtures (for example, a ceiling can light with a cover over the bulb) create temperatures that are too high to allow the use of a compact fluorescent bulb.
