stupid energy efficient light bulbs question

i feel like they are so dim. you know how on a lamp it will say use 60w max? well since the energy efficient bulb that replaces a 60w is really only 13w, can i put in a higher wattage so it doesnt look so dim?

Re: stupid energy efficient light bulbs question

yes!! go by what the actual wattage is; you can use a 100 watt equiv b/c it's only going to burn around 23 watts...it's one of the benefits of using CFLs.

Re: stupid energy efficient light bulbs question

The lamp/fixture max rating is for current draw and/or temperature maximums. Some power cords can't handle a heavy load, so putting more than the max load could heat up the wires and cause a fire. Others have heat related issues. Incandescents give off a known amount of heat based on their wattage. If there is a lamp shade, they have tested it for a certain temp, and a larger bulb may overheat it. (I melted a plastic lamp shade a bit in college because I put a bigger bulb in....)

However, as PP mentioned, the CFLs use so much less wattage and generate so much less heat that you can go up to the real wattage of the CFL, not the "equivalent" wattage.

Re: stupid energy efficient light bulbs question

Ditto what they said. Also, consider there are different 'colors' of CFL's. I made the mistake of buying cool ones that gave off a blue sheen. Now I have the warm ones that look like incandescents.

Re: stupid energy efficient light bulbs question

Re: stupid energy efficient light bulbs question

Posted by GoldenRod

The lamp/fixture max rating is for current draw and/or temperature maximums. Some power cords can't handle a heavy load, so putting more than the max load could heat up the wires and cause a fire. Others have heat related issues. Incandescents give off a known amount of heat based on their wattage. If there is a lamp shade, they have tested it for a certain temp, and a larger bulb may overheat it. (I melted a plastic lamp shade a bit in college because I put a bigger bulb in....)

However, as PP mentioned, the CFLs use so much less wattage and generate so much less heat that you can go up to the real wattage of the CFL, not the "equivalent" wattage.