Minnesota Power proudly serves 144,000 electric customers in Northeastern
Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin.
1. Where is the best place to use CFLs in my home?
Use them in fixtures or lamps that are on for two or more hours a day. High use lighting areas may include the kitchen, living room, rec room and/or outdoor fixtures. On average, there are 21 fixtures and lamps in a home that could utilize CFLs.
Note: Turning the CFL off and on in short periods of time or using the CFL in airtight fixtures or areas of high moisture content reduces its life.
2. Do CFLs work on dimmer switches and three-way lamps?
Yes! Select ENERGY STAR® approved CFLs do work on dimmer switches and three-way lamps. Note: make sure you read the information on the bulb package to ensure it is a type of CFL that works on a dimmer switch or three-way lamp or ask your retail sales person. (Standard CFLs are not suitable for use with dimmer switches or timing devices.)
3. Do CFLs work in dusk-till-dawn fixtures?
Yes, but it could burn out prematurely.
4. Can I use CFLs outdoors?
Yes! You can use CFLs outdoors. We recommend installing them in outdoor fixtures to protect them from moisture. In cold weather, below 0°F, it will take 30 to 60 seconds for the bulb to reach full brightness. Optimum operating temperature is between 0° and 100° F.
5. How do I select a CFL that has the same brightness as my current incandescent bulb?
As a rule of thumb, CFLs use one-third or less the wattage (e.g., measure of energy output) of the incandescent bulb it's replacing. For example, replace a 75-watt incandescent with a 20-watt CFL to ensure you meet or exceed the light output from the original incandescent.
6. How can I make sure that I am selecting the right kind of CFL or fixture?
Matching the right type of CFL to the right kind of fixture helps ensure that it will perform properly and last a long time. Read the packaging to be sure that the type you choose works for the fixture you have in mind. For example:
- If a light fixture is connected to a dimmer or three-way switch, select CFLs that are labeled for this use.
- For recessed fixtures, it is better to use a "reflector" CFL instead of a standard type.
- Choose the color that works best for you. For example, while most CFLs are created with warm colors for most rooms in your home, you might choose a cooler color for task lighting.
- To get the ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb or fixture with the right amount of light, choose one that offers the same lumen rating as the light you are replacing. The higher the lumen rating, the greater the light output.
- See table below for the relationship between wattage and lumens.
7. Why ENERGY STAR® CFLs?
ENERGY STAR® certified CFLs are tested and approved by government agencie —EPA and DOE—to ensure they meet stringent technical and consumer standards. This ensures there is no hum or flickering and that the bulb comes on instantly once you turn it on. It may take a few seconds to come to full brightness. It also means the CFL is designed to meet a minimum life of 6,000 hours.
8. What is the typical life of a CFL?
Depending on use, the CFL typically lasts five to ten times longer than a typical incandescent bulb. This means the average life of a CFL is 7,000 to 10,000 hours. Good news: You not only save energy but also you don't need to replace it as often.
9. How much can I save using CFLs in high use areas?
10. Can I purchase CFL lighting fixtures such as lamps and ceiling lights?
Yes! You can purchase pin-based hardwired fixtures, CFL lamps and torchieres at select big box and hardware stores.
11. What is the advantage of using a pin-based fixture?
Pin-based fixtures:
- Offer more light while using two-thirds less energy
- Include a pin-based CFL bulb that offers bright light for at least 10,000 hours, or about 7 years, saving time buying bulbs and climbing ladders to replace them
- Make bulb replacements easy, using pin-based bulbs that plug in rather than screw in
- Deliver features including dimming or switching capabilities on some indoor models and automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors on outdoor models
- Come in hard-wired and portable models, including a variety of desk and table lamps, torchieres, dining room, ceiling, and outdoor fixtures
- Provide a safe, cool alternative to incandescent and halogen fixtures
12. Do CFLs produce the heat levels of a halogen or incandescent bulb?
No! CFLs are 600 degrees F. cooler than a typical halogen bulb. Also 90% of the energy to produce light with an incandescent bulb actually results in waste heat.
13. I've heard that I can only get CFLs in a few shapes and sizes.
Wrong! Here are just a few types of CFL bulbs and there are many more.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Floodlight | Reflector | A-line | Dimming | 3-way |
14. Do CFLs interfere with my radio and television?
ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs must operate at a different frequency than radio and television.
15. What do I do with burned out CFLS and other fluorescent bulbs?
CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury which is hazardous to the environment. The State of Minnesota prohibits disposal of any fluorescent bulbs in your household garbage. Minnesota Power, in conjunction with local retailers and County Hazardous Waste Collection Centers, makes it easy for you to recycle used fluorescent bulbs. Find your local hazardous waste collection center at www.earth911.org or call 1-800-657-3864. See more information on fluorescent bulb recycling here.
16. What do I do if I break a fluorescent bulb?
If you happen to accidentally break a fluorescent bulb, keep people and pets away from the breakage area until the cleanup is complete. Visist Revised Cleanup Guidance for more details.
17. Where can I get more information about CFLs?
| Phone: 1-800-677-8423 Email: mnpowerinfo@weccusa.org |
Official Government ENERGY STAR CFL site Minnesota Power ENERGY STAR site |
 |
 |
