Choosing the Right Bulb at the Right Price

A five-pack of spirals for $5 found at a discount store can be tempting, but inexpensive CFLs may use

low-quality technology, leading to less appealing color and more flicker. Rick Hill, operations manager

of Buylighting.com, has noticed a correlation between a CFL’s overall performance and the “lamp life”

listed on the bulb’s packaging. “ 10,000 hours has been the industry norm for years for spiral CFLs,” says

Hill. “The first sign of a low-quality product is that the lamp life is low.” Hill says that if a spiral-shaped CFL

has a projected life of 6,000 hours, it won’t perform well. When color quality and performance are para-

mount, stick with name brands that may cost more upfront but will save the headache of bad lighting

and premature burnouts. Here’s an example of a good bulb in each common shape.

BULB

Neolite Low Mercury

Philips Low Mercury Marathon Alto

N:vision Soft White A19

MaxLite R40 FloodMax (amalgam)

SHAPE

WATTS

Spiral

15

Triple Tube 20

Dome-covered

14

Flood Lamp 23 Reflector

INITIAL LUMEN OUTPUT

1,005

1,200

800

1,250

RATED LIFE (HRS.)

10,000

15,000

8,000

8,000

CO2 SAVINGS (OVER THE LIFE OF THE BULB)

600 lbs.

1,100 lbs.

500 1bs.

825 lbs.

PRICE/WEBSITE

$3.95, buylighting.com

$10.49, eartheasy.com

$7.97/2-pack, The Home Depot

$12.33, greenelectricalsupply.com

Greenlite Globe Bulb

Globe

9

500

8,000

330 lbs.

$4.99, weemscreeksolutions.com

TCP Candelabra Torpedo

9

425

8,000

330 lbs.

$7.99, chooserenewables.com