CFLs are available in a range of colours to suit all applications. The higher the Kelvin (K) rating, the bluer the colour gets. Lower Kelvin-rated CFLs have more yellow and are similar to the light colour of an incandescent globe. The Kelvin rating only refers to the colour of the light emitted, not the brightness. Different colours suit different rooms.
Bright daylight (6500K) offers a strong, bright light suited to home offices and work spaces. Cool white (4000K) is suited to task environments like kitchens and laundries. Warm white (2700K) creates a more intimate atmosphere for bedrooms and lounge rooms.
Because CFLs are more efficient, they require a lower wattage globe for the same light output. Check the chart below to see the difference.
WHICH LIGHT IS WHICH?
Incandescent: Due to government regulations, as of November 2009, you are no longer able to purchase standard incandescent globes. These lamps were extremely inefficient because they only converted 5-10% of the energy they produced into light, while the remainder was converted to heat. The result was an extreme waste of electricity.
Halogen: Low voltage halogen downlights are the most commonly used light globes in Australia. As a type of incandescent lamps, although they require lower voltages they are not low energy lamps. In fact, each low voltage halogen lamp generates a kilogram of greenhouse gas every 15 hours, which Is about the same as a standard 60 watt incandescent globe.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs): CFLs are fluorescent tubes bent into shape to fit a standard light fitting. They use around 20% of the power required by an incandescent bulb and will last an impressive 6-15 times longer.
On a lifetime basis, a standard 100 watt-equivalent CFL will save 480 kilowatt hours of electricity when compared to an incandescent lamp. During its lifetime, just one CFL bulb has the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as one tonne.
While the cost of a CFL is greater than an incandescent lamp, CFLs are cheaper when the total life cycle cost is considered. A typical CFL will save you around $50 in its lifetime. Plus you’ll save the expense of six or more incandescent globes and you won’t have to change the bulbs nearly as often.