Hi there
I have replaced all the lights in my house with CFs. After
experimenting with a few different types, I discovered a few
interesting things that helped me decide which units to use and which
to avoid.
There seem to be 2 general types, those with magnetic series ballasts
and traditional starters (they go blink blink when they start) and
those with electronic ballasts (usually instant start).
The magnetic ballast units, generally costing the least amount,
usually do not have replaceable lamps, thus when the end of the bulb's
life is reached, the entire unit is discarded. These lamps also
exhibit the symptom that when they start, they are dim and require
some time to reach operating temperature (i.e low on resistance) and
thus maximum brightness. They may take several seconds to initially
light, the time getting longer and longer near the end of its life.
Of the electronic units, I found several different units each with
several features. They all have instant start (something I like).
Other things:
1) Some have replaceable lamps while others do not. The more expensive
units have replaceable lamps.
2) Lamp colour- cool white to daylight, i.e. yellowish to bluish)
3) Lamp efficiency (lumens output for a given power consumption)
4) Some are dimmable with regular dimmers while others are not
dimmable at all- they will suffer permanent damage and so will the
dimmer. The lamp by my bed is a circular tri-light with 3 levels low,
medium and high.
5) Many different shapes and sizes- everything from linear to circular
to compact.
6) Power factors approaching unity. This is a more recent issue.
Additionally, one neat feature is that the better ones have a highly
regulated power supply that maintains a constant power output
regardless of the physical temperature of the bulb, i.e. instant full
brightness when initially turned on, without ever overdriving the
bulb.
Most of the lights I am currently using have the regulated power
supplies with replaceable lamps- i.e. the more expensive ones. As far
as noticing whether life expectancy is diminished due to frequent
turning on and off, I haven't really noticed any trends. I suspect the
regulated power supply can compensate for changes in the bulb as it
ages.
My house has been equipped with these lamps for more than 10 years
now. My first "investments" were units that were made in California by
a company called Lights of America (
www.lightsofamerica.com). Since
then, I have found locally available "equivalents".
Hope this is of some help to you.
Cheers from Canada!
Bob Morgoch