You are here » » » Fluorescent LightingBefore CFLs and LEDs, most people referred to reflector light bulbs simply as "flood lights," or even less correctly, as "halogens." Only designers and commercial lighting installers knew bulb shape jargon like "PAR30" and "BR40." For better or worse, that's no longer the case. Since the advent of more energy-efficient lighting technologies, selecting a light bulb has actually gotten more complicated, often requiring everyday customers to know specialized bulb terms. No longer can you unscrew a burned out bulb, take it to the local hardware store, and pick the bulb's exact match. Now you have to ask yourself not only "What is this?" but also "What replaces this?" Fortunately, learning the terminology and selecting the right bulb is easier than you might think. R-Type Bulbs (R20, R30, BR30, R40, BR40) If you're replacing a bulb inside your home with a diameter between 2-1/2 and 5 inches, you're likely looking for an R-Type bulb.

They're what you usually see in kitchens, living rooms, and media rooms, especially in recessed cans. R-Type bulbs have a frosted face that evenly diffuses light and eliminates glare, but unlike a PAR bulb (explained next), the entire bulb envelope (lighting nerd speak for the outside of the bulb, not including the base) is made of blown glass. The outside of the bulb is completely smooth, and the bulb is relatively lightweight since it only consists of thin glass, a filament, and a brass base.Digital Camera Repairs Suffolk Because LED replacements for R-Type bulbs are rare and CFL replacements are much more easily found, let's focus on CFLs: To identify the CFL replacement you need, select an R-Type bulb based on its diameter. I Love Cilantro T ShirtAll light bulb diameters are referred to in eighths on an inch, so if the diameter of your bulb is 20 eighths of an inch (2-1/2 inches), you'll need an R20 CFL. Hepa Air Cleaner For Central Air

If your bulb is 30 eighths of an inch in diameter (3-3/4 inches), you'll need an R30 CFL, and so on. PAR Bulbs (PAR20, PAR30, PAR38) If you're replacing a reflector bulb on the exterior of your home with a diameter between 2-1/2 and 4-3/4 inches, you're most likely looking for a PAR bulb. Unlike R-Type bulbs, PAR bulbs feature an aluminum reflector with a special pattern of impressions that amplifies and concentrates light in a single area. The bulb envelope is made of two pieces: The glass face and the shiny aluminum wall of the envelope. The texture of the bulb will be either rough or textured and the bulb will be heavier than an R-Type bulb due to thicker glass construction. PAR bulbs are also used indoors, especially in track lights; in a pinch, they'll work just fine for recessed lighting as well. Both LED PAR bulbs and CFL PAR bulbs are easy to find, though they aren't always weatherproof like traditional halogen PARs, so be sure to check their UL listing before installing them outdoors.  

You can determine if you need a PAR20, PAR30, or PAR38 based on the bulb diameter in eighths of an inch, just as you would with an R-Type bulb. An Exercise in Reflector Bulb Identification A reflector bulb in your living room has just burned out. It's in a recessed light. When you remove it, you notice that the sides are smooth and the bulb is surprisingly lightweight. When you measure the diameter, it comes out to 3-3/4 inches. If you guessed it's an R30, you're right. Now what do you replace it with? If you guessed a CFL R30 or an LED PAR30, you're also right! If you can't identify your bulb, no worries! Facebook wall, or ask us about it on Twitter using our handle @1000bulbs.Versatile technology for energy-efficient lighting plans Versatile technology for indoor track and recessed lighting, GE track and recessed lights deliver the technology and flexibility to make the most of your living spaces. So, whether you're looking for broad beams of light in your kitchen or creatively spotlighting artwork in a formal hallway, GE offers a wide range of brilliant, energy-efficient track and recessed lighting solutions — including a full range of GE energy-efficient halogen and long-lasting energy smart® CFL bulbs and traditional & LED low voltage recessed & track lighting.

Be sure to use reflector and PAR bulbs in your track and recessed lighting fixtures. Using general purpose bulbs causes much light to be trapped in the fixture. Reflectors and PAR light bulbs direct the light out of the fixture and right where you need it. With GE track lighting and recessed lighting, you can expect the best of form and function. Discover how much energy you can save around your home with the GE energy saving calculator. It's easy to install an LED Downlight — Watch this short video. GE LED track & recessed bulbs The future of lighting is here. Some GE LED track & recessed bulbs last up to 25,000 hours. That's longer than twelve 65W R30 incandescent lamps — making them a brilliant idea for hard-to-reach fixtures. Learn more about GE LED bulbs Discover the anatomy of an LED See why GE LED is a "Brilliant Idea" GE reveal® light bulbs The clean, beautiful® light of GE reveal® bulbs brings out colors and patterns. And GE reveal® CFLs make colors pop while providing the energy efficiency and long life of a compact fluorescent.

See how GE reveal® works GE energy-efficient halogen light bulbs GE halogen technology delivers crisp, white light. These GE halogen spotlights and floodlights use less energy than standard halogen bulbs. Learn more about GE halogen PAR38s GE energy smart® CFL light bulbs The GE energy smart® Indoor Floodlight CFL features a GE spiral® bulb on the inside that uses 75% less energy and lasts up to 5 times longer than incandescent indoor reflectors. GE low voltage recessed & track lights Use GE low voltage LED & traditional lights in your indoor track & recessed lighting and outdoor directional lighting to create a dramatic effect. Perfect for highlighting photos inside or landscaping outdoors.To have the best experience possible, keep the following tips in mind: Every time you are using an ENERGY STAR certified product you are saving energy, money, and greenhouse gas emissions. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

While most CFLs come in “warm” colors to match the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs, you can also choose “cooler” colors with whiter and bluish hues for reading and task lighting. Color in lighting is measured on the Kelvin scale (K) and is marked on CFL packaging. For warmer color look for 2700–3000K, 3500–4100K gives a bright white light and 5000–6500K is bluer and most like daylight. If these spiral-shaped light bulbs look familiar it’s because they’re the most popular type of Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL). Spiral CFLs create the same amount of light as traditional incandescent bulbs, but use less energy. Many traditional bulbs around your home (from 60w to 150w) can be replaced with spirals. There are spirals for dimmers and three-way switches (just check the packaging). Spirals also come in a variety of colors like soft white, natural light, or daylight. A-shaped bulbs combine the efficiency of the spiral bulbs, with the look and feel of the traditional incandescents.

These products are great for consumers who don’t like the look of the spiral bulbs but still want efficient lighting. You can use A-shaped bulbs wherever you used to use traditional incandescent bulbs, such as clip-on lamp shades. Check the packaging for compatibility with dimmers and three-way fixtures. Globe-shaped bulbs are ideal for use where you can see the bulbs, like bathroom vanity bars and ceiling pendants. A globe bulb is basically a spiral bulb with a decorative cover. Like other covered CFLs, globe bulbs need a little time to “warm up” and reach full brightness. But be patient — ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs generate just as much light as traditional bulbs, while using less energy. Some of the first ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs were tube shaped. Basically straight versions of the spiral bulbs, tubed bulbs work well in lamps that have slender covers such as wall sconces. These products are ideal for use in decorative fixtures where you can see the light bulb.

The sleek shape also allows you to use them in tight fitting light fixtures where a covered globe won’t fit. Reflector bulbs are perfect for providing directional light — think of recessed ceiling lights in kitchens or ceiling fans. Indoor reflector bulbs are much smaller then those that are designed for outdoor use. Some indoor reflector bulbs can be used with a dimmer — the packaging will tell you. For use outside, reflector bulbs are sealed to withstand the rain and snow. Because of this, they’re usually much larger then the reflectors designed for use inside. Timers, photocells, and motion sensors may not be compatible with CFLs so if you have one of these controls on your outdoor lights check with the manufacturer of the control and the CFL packaging for compatibility. Fixtures or lamps with three-way switches require the use of a three-way CFL. Check the packaging to make sure that the bulb is intended for this use. Installing three-way CFLs may require extra effort since they can be slightly larger than their matching incandescents, but they still use one-third as much electricity.

Three-way bulbs typically come in Soft White color temperature. Fixtures or lamps with dimmer switches require the use of dimmable CFLs. Not all CFLs are dimmable so check the packaging to make sure it is. Dimmable CFLs work differently than incandescent bulbs. Incandescents dim smoothly from 100% of their light output to no output and their light color changes from a bright white to a warmer yellow. Dimmable CFLs maintain light color more consistently and dim to 10%–40% of its original brightness. Dimmable bulbs typically come in Soft White color temperature. Spiral, covered A-shape or tubed ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs work well in floor/table lamps. Many floor/table lamps use a special 3-way socket. If yours does, look for a 3-way bulb to use. Check the packaging to ensure the bulb is designed for the application intended. If your floor/table lamp is hooked up to a dimmer switch, make sure you only use dimmable bulbs or else the light bulbs won’t dim and might even burn out sooner.

For ceiling fixtures, spiral or tubed ENERGY STAR certified bulbs are an economical choice. Ensure your fixture allows airflow to prevent excessive heat from shortening the life or decreasing the amount of light the CFL gives off. If your ceiling fixture is hooked up to a dimmer switch, make sure you only use dimmable bulbs or else the light bulbs won’t dim and might even burn out sooner. While bare bulbs can be used, most people prefer the look of covered ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs in their pendant fixtures. Covered bulbs come in both traditional “A” or globe shapes. If your pendant fixture is hooked up to a dimmer switch, make sure you only use dimmable bulbs or else the light bulbs won’t dim and might even burn out sooner. For ceiling fans, you have a variety of options. Spiral bulbs can be used but most people prefer the look of covered light bulbs such as “A”-shape, candles, or small reflectors. For some ceiling fans, the size of the CFL will be important.

A lot of manufacturers are developing other CFLs for use specifically in ceiling fans. If your ceiling fan is hooked up to a dimmer switch, make sure you only use dimmable bulbs or else the light bulbs won’t dim and might even burn out sooner. Due to their smaller sizes, spiral, tubed or candle shaped ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs will work well in wall sconces. If your sconce is hooked up to a dimmer switch, make sure you only use dimmable bulbs or else the light bulbs won’t dim and might even burn out sooner. Indoor reflector light bulbs work best in recessed cans because they are specially designed to direct the light out of the fixture and to withstand the heat buildup that occurs in these fixtures. If your recessed cans use a dimmer switch, make sure you buy reflectors that are able to dim. The packaging will tell you whether or not you can use them with a dimmer. Spiral or tubed ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs are both appropriate to use in outdoor covered fixtures where the weather can’t harm them.