My CFL Plug In doesn't work and I'm being told I have a ballast problem?

Compact Fluorescent Plug In Light Bulbs are not like normal light bulbs or even normal screw in compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFL light bulbs contain a gas that ignites which lights up. Screw in type cfls have a ballast on the end (the part that screws) that ignites this gas. Plug in cfl bulbs do not contain their own ballast. The ballast is build in to the lighting fixture.

Most often than not, it's the ballast on these that goes bad. And since plug in compact fluorescent bulbs don't have a ballast, you'll need to look at the ballast that is connected to your lighting fixture. Only 1 in several thousand plug in compact fluorescent plug in light bulbs do we see that it's the bulb that is the problem and that's because the bulb has concealed damage.

Holly Eddins

Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Air Purifier Light Bulbs

The Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Air Purifier uses a Philips Light Bulb. That light bulb is a TUV 15W G15 T8 Ultraviolet Fluorescent light bulb. Made by Philips Lighting.

We get many customers calling asking how long these bulbs are suppose to last. That is really not the question that is important. When you are using TUV light bulbs in air purifiers, the question is how long the manufacturer recommends that you use the light bulb. In this case, Sharper Image recommends that you should only use the bulbs for a period of a year. That means even though the bulb may still be working, you should dispose of it.

Why? Because Sharper Image does their own testing with these bulbs. They mark the acceptable effectiveness for the bulb in combination with their machine. When the purifier starts to not perform to their standards, that is the period of time they recommend changing the bulb and that time period is 1 year.

Holly Eddins

What does "ALU" mean in the Philips Ordering Code?

With Philips MR16 Halogen light bulbs, the energy advantage collection has some products that have an aluminum reflector. Thus the "ALU" designation.

Why do some of them have that designation in the ordering code? This reflector pushes all the heat generated by the bulb out the front of the bulb. With ones that don't have the reflector, heat will come through the back as well as the front of the bulb.

Holly Eddins

What is the difference in the neck of the old Philips Twistline bulbs and the one now?

Philips Twistline Halogen light bulbs use to be made with a clear neck. Basically the glass used surrounding the filaments was continued down to very close to the power source. Now, the Philips twistline bulbs are made with a white ceramic insulator.

This insulator could just be a design change or a change made when changing the factory that produces the bulbs. The company does not confirm that the change was made to insulate the bulb from heat. The difference in the design does not change anything but the look of the bulb. It still produces just as much light and works in the same light fixture. The only difference is going to be that not as much light will be emitted through the neck of the bulb where before light did come through the entire length of the clear neck.

Holly Eddins

How much energy does a light bulb use?

The energy consumed by light bulbs is measured in wattages. When purchasing a light bulb they are all designated with a certain watt rating. This will effect many things but for our topic here, let's talk about the energy used.

An incancescent uses more energy than a halogen which uses more than a compact fluorescent then LED is next with the lowest amount of energy used for a particular amount of light.

So, let's say that you are using a 65 watt flood light in your home and it is an incandescent and is rated to last 2500 hours. Let's also say that your local utility charges .1645 per KW. Using these assumptions, this light bulb will use 162.50 KW over the life of the bulb and will cost you almost $27 in electric costs. If you'd like to figure the savings you might have by using more efficient bulbs, use our easy Energy Cavings Calculator to help.

Holly Eddins

Is it true that 120 volt bulbs are brighter than 130 volt light bulbs?

Technically, both light bulbs are tested to be the same amount of lumens or brightness. But that is when the bulbs are tested at their respective voltages. So, the 120 volt light bulb is tested at 120 volts and the 130 volt light bulb is tested at 130 volts. When you look at it this way one is not brighter than the other.

Now, if you were to put both options in a socket in your home or office, you will notice at the 120 volt bulb is going to be a little brighter than the 130 volt bulb. Why? If your house happens to have 124 volts of energy at the outlet, the 120 volt will be working harder and will shine a bit brighter and the 130 volt bulbs will not be pushed to their limit and will not shine as bright.

It's also important to know the difference that this makes in the life of the bulb which you can read in a post below.

Holly Eddins

How many Volts do Light Bulbs use?

Light Bulbs don't really use volts. They use watts. But light bulbs can operate at certain voltages based on the fixture you are using. Some use low voltage which is usually around 12 volts.

Most of your residential light bulbs are going to be 120 or 130 volts. Depending on how close your home is to a power station, will determine what voltage you should use. Some can use 120 volts with no problem and their bulbs will last that average amount of time the manufacturer advises. If your area gets many power surges or you are close to a power station you should be using 130 volt light bulbs.

Then other bulbs can go as high as 277 volts but these are more specialized bulbs.

Holly Eddins

How long does a traditional light bulb last?

Periodically, I get this question and there is NO pat answer. It varies per bulb and per manufacturer. And I know that there are a great deal of off brands of light bulbs out there and brand DOES matter. If you want a light bulb to do what it touts on the box, choose one of the 3 major brands. Philips, GE or Osram-Sylvania.

Anyway, back to the question. For your general incandescent bulbs can last between 1000 and 2500 hours. Many companies will put a time period in years, but you must look at the small writing because this assumption is based on using so many hours per day. Halogen bulbs will last anywhere from 3000 to 6000 hours. Then compact fluorescent bulbs can last anywhere from 8000 to 15,000 hours.

Holly Eddins

How do I remove a broken Light Bulb?

First off, you screw in a light bulb clockwise and unscrew counter-clockwise. The last thing you want to do is to try and do this with your bare hand. You might try and unscrewing it with needle nose pliars. This should do the trick. I've also heard of folks using a potatoe. Simply cut it in half and depress over the broken bulb and twist. Not sure if this works or not. If you try it, let me know how it does!

I recently had someone tell me that white specs were coming from a broken bulb and wanted to know if it was asbestos. To my knowledge, light bulbs are not made with asbestos materials but if you have a concern like this, please contact the manufacturer of the bulb. They are the only ones that will be able to give you a straight up answer.

Holly Eddins

What does Philips Alto mean?

Compact Fluorescent Philips Alto light bulbs are better for the environment because of its reduced mercury content. All Philips Alto light bulbs give you options which can simplify and reduce your disposal costs depending on your state and local regulations.

Holly Eddins

My light bulbs keep burning out quickly. Can you tell me why?

Light Bulbs are rated for average hours of operation and depending on the light bulb you are using that time period will be different. Now, what that means really is that some bulbs are going to burn out quickly and some will burn out long after that time period has lapsed. The Rated Average Life is the time in which at least 50% of these bulbs are still in working condition.

Now, to answer your question. If you have multiple bulbs that are burning out too quickly, you may be using an incorrect voltage of light bulb. Your home will get anywhere in the neighborhood of 117 to 124 volts of power at any given time. If you are using a light bulb that is 120 volts and you get a surge, the life of that bulb will be shortened and will blow too soon. We recommend using 130 volt light bulbs whenever possible as you will see a dramatic lengthening of life.

Holly Eddins

In what temperatures do Metal Halide light bulbs operate?

Metal Halide light bulbs are made to go outside. Thus the technology is engineered to operate in a wide range of temperatures. There are no specifics outlined for such but a reasonable range would be from -10 or -20 F up to 120 or 130 F. If you live in an area where the conditions exceed these limits, we recommend you contact the manufacturer to insure your metal halide will perform properly.

Holly Eddins

What light bulbs are most efficient?

The most efficient light bulbs are LED, Metal Halide and Compact Fluorescent. Between those, you'd need to compare apples to apples. After these, your energy saving or long life halogen light bulbs, then regular halogens and long life incandescents. All in that order. The least efficient light bulbs are incandescent light bulbs. The take the most energy but for most, they produce the quality of light that they are use to and love.

Holly Eddins

What does Integrated light bulbs mean?

Light Bulbs like compact fluorescent and HID light bulbs contain a gas that needs to be ignited for the bulb to work which is called a starter. They also need a ballast which regulates the voltage of power. Ingegrated bulbs are ones that have that starter and ballast built in the base of the bulb. Non-integrated bulbs have to be used in a ballast that performs those functions for the bulb.

This PAR38 is one of the few metal halide bulbs that is integrated and can be used in a regular socket and doesn't need a special ballast to be used. Philips Integrated PAR38 light bulbs consume up to 3 times less energy than incandescents with the same light and provide the perfect light bulb a retail business or other business wanting to have very clear crisp light.

Holly Eddins

How do I measure my light bulb?

When measuring a light bulb, manufacturers measure the furthest outside points. The width of the bulb is from the outer edge of the side of the bulb to the other side. Then the length or maximum overall length (mol) is from the very top of your bulb to the very bottom of the base that screws or plugs in.

Holly Eddins

Can I use a 130 volt light bulb in the place of a 120 volt?

Absolutely. Using 130 volt bulbs is actually a better thing that 120 volt. Voltage is the amount of voltage the bulb can handle when the electricity comes into your home. At one time there were only 120 volt bulbs. Now, 130 volt bulbs are taking over. 130 volt bulbs can take the power surges better than the lower voltage and will last longer as a result.

Now, it's important to know that if you already are using 120 volt bulbs in recessed lighting in a room and you start replacing them with 130 volt bulbs, the 130 volt bulbs might burn slightly dimmer than the 120 volt. Simply because it's on the same circuit as the 120 volt and that will mess with the circutry. It shouldn't shorten the life of the bulb but it's something to consider.

Holly Eddins

What indoor flood lights fit in my 6" recessed can?

A 6" in diameter recessed can is a common size of can in overall room lighting. You can either use an incandescent BR40 in this size can or a PAR38. A BR40 light bulb is 5" in diameter and the PAR38 light bulb is 4 3/4" in diameter. You want to choose a light bulb that is roughly an inch smaller than the size of your can. Much tighter and it may be difficult for you to screw in and unscrew the bulb.

What light bulb do I use in my shower?

What lighting you should use in your shower is more about the fixture than the light bulb. But let's backup. If you are a DIY and you are installing the fixture in your shower, it's important that you purchase a fixture rated for shower/moisture use.

Bottom line, it's all about the fixture. Having said that, there are options or things you should know when purchasing the light bulb for your shower light. If your fixture is open, meaning that it isn't enclosed and moisture could get to it from steam or upward splash, you should be using a PAR light bulb. Whether it be incandescent or halogen doesn't matter as long as it's a PAR. If your fixture is enclosed, you have a great deal more flexibility. Your recessed can should give you some suggestions if you can't pull out a bulb to figure out what you are already using.

Holly Eddins

What makes a light bulb appropriate for outdoor spot and flood lights?

If you are looking for an outdoor spot or flood light that is enclosed or falls under the cover of a roof line, you have more options than if you need a bulb that can take direct rain.

Having said that, there are light bulbs made that will certainly take direct rain. These are designated by "PAR." Any bulbs with this as part if it's coding is made with a heavier glass lense that will withstand rain and other elements to come in direct contact with it. These can either be incandescent, halogen, some compact fluorescent, and LED light bulbs.

Holly Eddins

How do you dispose of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs?

How you dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbs is important. Why? Because they contain mercury which can be harmful to the environment. If your bulb is not broken, it's much easier. Most major cities have a recycling center that will take cfl bulbs. They then send the bulbs to a center that will take off the base to recycle, they will recycle the glass and will also salvage the mercury and reuse it as well.

If you don't have a recycling center in your area, according to the EPA you can double bag your bulbs and place in your trash. If you are a commercial operation, very different rules apply. You must get your fluorescent bulbs to a recycling center and often pay a fee to do so. You can find online service to do this if you don't know anyone locally. A big one is EPSI.

To view a more detailed account of what to do with these bulbs or how to take care of them when one breaks, please read our entire article on the subject.Holly Eddins

Can Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs be Used Outdoors?

Yes. Compact Fluorescent light bulbs can be used outdoors. Or that is some of them can. Not all compact fluorescent light bulbs are made with the right technology that will allow them to function properly in cold weather. Philips makes their outdoor compact fluorescent light bulbs with Amalgam Technology which provides a stable light output down to -4 degrees F or sometimes -10 degrees F.

Why is this important? For the same reason that it sometimes takes a compact fluorescent to warm up and function in your home.....when you throw the cold temperatures in the mix they may never warm up enough to actually light up. So, when purchasing compact fluorescent light bulbs to use outdoors, it is very important to insure that they are made to take the cold temperatures.

Holly Eddins

Can I use the same flood light for indoor and outdoor lighting?

Yes, in many cases you can use the same flood light bulbs for indoor and outdoor applications. Any flood light that is incandescent can be used outside as long as it doesn't get direct contact with rain or other elements. PAR incandescent light bulbs and PAR halogen light buls are made with heavy duty glass lense that can take the elements and are perfect for uplights and spot lights out in your yard. When you are looking at compact fluorescent light bulbs, you'll need to choose one that was manufacturered for being outside. Other CFL light bulbs will not hold up in lower temperatures.

Holly Eddins

Can you use a dimmer switch with a regular light bulb?

Yes. A regular light bulb will work with a dimmer switch. Now, what is a regular light bulb? Any incandescent light bulb and any halogen light bulb will work with a dimmer switch. When it comes to compact fluorescent light bulbs, you need to have one specially made to dim and they should indicate as such in the product descriptions.Holly Eddins

Do Halogen Light Bulbs contain Mercury?

No, Halogen light bulbs do not contain mercury. The atmosphere is halogen light bulbs is gas. And you do not have to take extra precautions when disposing these light bulbs.

Holly Eddins

Can I use a lower wattage Lamp with my current Metal Halide Ballast?

Yes. If the ANSI code or Ballast Reference number is the same, you may substitue one metal halide lamp for another one that is a different wattage.

For example, with Philips Lighting there is a 400 watt ED37 Mogul Based light bulb with an ANSI code of M59/S. The 360 watt ED37 Mogul Based light bulb has the same ANSI code therefore this item could be swapped out for the other without any problems occuring. There aren't very many of these but it does exist.

Holly EddinsHolly Eddins