FTC labeling on light bulbs in 2011

Good information, and good to allow the consumer to learn more about light bulbs.

Measuring Energy Savings from Compact Fluorescents

Aside from long life, the chief advantage of using CFLs is the energy savings they offer. As a general rule of thumb compact fluorescents use 1/4 of the power standard incandescent bulbs do to provide the same amount of light. If you'd like to see that translated directly into dollars saved, use our handy energy audit feature on the site.

What Is Meant by “Color Temperature” in Reference to Fluorescent Light Bulbs?

Some of the most common questions we receive concerning fluorescent lighting involve color temperature. The purpose of this post is to clear up some of the confusion.

Color Temperature refers to the color of light produced by a fluorescent light bulb. Color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin and generally range from around 2700K to 6500K. What is important to remember is that the lower the number the warmer (more yellow) the light will appear. Conversely, the higher the number the cooler (more white or even blue) the color will appear. Fluorescent color temperature is controlled, or determined, by the composition of the phosphors lining the glass of fluorescent tubes. Often times, especially in retail packaging, color temperatures are not given in degrees Kelvin, but instead are identified by the terms Warm White (3000K), Cool White (4100K), and Daylight (6500K).

Often the question is posed to us: “What is the best color temperature for me to use?” The answer to this questions depends on two factors—personal preference and application.

Most often, personal preference determines what color temperature light bulb one should choose. When switching from standard incandescent or halogen light bulbs to compact fluorescent, people often want to match the color of their existing light bulbs. To match standard incandescents one should choose fluorescents that are 2700K. To match halogen lighting one should choose fluorescents that are 3100K.

Resistance to the use of fluorescents is often a result of consumer’s distaste for the color of light they typically associate with fluorescent lighting. In the past, fluorescents were almost always seen in institutional settings such as schools, hospitals, and offices. In these settings, Cool White (4100K) bulbs have been used almost exclusively. While providing crisp white light, this color temperature provides an almost antiseptic appearance that is typically not desired in the home. We often hear consumers state that they don’t use fluorescent light bulbs because they do not like how fluorescent light looks. These consumers tend to be unaware that fluorescent lights can produce a wide range of colors and that some are virtually indistinguishable from other light sources such as incandescent. Again, often times it’s simply a matter of personal preference.

The second factor in choosing a color temperature is the application under which the light bulbs will be used. As stated above, for general ambient household lighting warm colors are generally most appropriate. Now consider a retail application in which products are sold for use in homes, such as furniture or carpeting. The retailer would be wise to use warm lighting that matches what is used in typical homes. After all, when choosing a product the consumer wants to know what their couch or rug will look like when they take it home, so lighting should remain consistent.

Another retail application involves actually masking the true appearance of a product—your local grocery store’s meat case. Grocery stores will often use warmer color fluorescents (around 3000K) in their meat cases while using a cooler color light bulb (4100K) throughout the rest of the store. The warm color accentuates the red color of the meat while masking, our washing out, brown and grey colors (this also involves the concept of Color Rendering, which we will address in a later post). Next time you go shopping try watching the brown and grey spots on your steak magically appear and disappear as you move it back and forth from under the meat case’s lights to the general store lighting.

You may have noticed that some fluorescent bulbs produce a pure white light. This light is generally around 5000K. This color of light is ideal for tasks that require high levels of visual acuity such as reading, sewing, modeling and crafting, or any activity involving tiny parts. In explaining why 5000K light is ideal for these applications I will introduce the concept of Scotopic Lumens. Scotopic lumens refer to the amount of light registered by the rods of the human eye (which also controls pupil size). 5000K lights are high in scotopic lumens, thus small objects are easier to see. You will notice that high quality lamps designed for reading and sewing, such as our Verilux and OTT light fixtures, utilize 5000K-5600K fluorescent light bulbs.

In summary, when choosing the appropriate color temperature you should consider both where you are using the light bulb and what you will be doing under the light it produces.

KCP&L Rebates Help Business Save Money and Energy

The Commercial and Industrial Rebate Program available to KCP&L non-residential customers is producing energy-
efficient success stories. Light Bulbs, Etc., Inc. is in the thick of the energy savings revolution.
With energy savings at a premium, many local Kansas City metro area businesses are investigating and taking the
steps towards lower electric bills as suggested by the Utility. Light Bulbs, Etc., Inc. in Lenexa, KS has assisted
several KCP&L customers in not only identifying and obtaining the proper equipment for replacement but applying
for the C&I rebate for its customers as well.
Energy efficient lighting upgrades range from something as simple as changing to a Compact Fluorescent Lamp1
to switching from T12 Lamps and magnetic ballasts to T8 Lamps2 and energy-efficient electronic Ballasts3. Other
ideas include making the switch to LED Exit Signs4, Pulse Start Metal Halide lamps and ballasts5 or T8 and T5
Fluorescent fixtures.
Companies who have worked with Light Bulbs, Etc. include Long Motors and Surface Solutions in Lenexa, KS as
well as CFM Distributor’s and Ace Imagewear of Kansas City, MO just to name a few. Black states that "Many
businesses can cut their lighting electric consumption by as much as 50% just by changing the type of bulb and/or
ballast they are currently using. When you consider that KCP&L will pay for as much as half of the materials and
installation, it just makes good sense."
As energy costs continue to rise, now may be the opportune time to consider upgrading current lighting technologies
to take advantage of rebate opportunities.