How long should my light bulbs last?
TCP adheres to an industry standard for rating light bulb life called “rated life.” All of our packaging shows the average rated life of that specific bulb.
All light bulbs are tested to determine what their rated life will be. The time that half of the test sample fails is considered rated life. By definition, some lamps will fail before their rated life and some will operate beyond their rated life.
Keep in mind that different styles of light bulbs can have different rated life. Using a bulb in an incorrect application can also have an impact on the life of the bulb. Application information can be found on the bulb packaging.
What should I do if I have a defective light bulb?
All of TCP’s products follow strict quality guidelines. If you feel that you have purchased a defective bulb, you can return the bulb to the retailer that you have purchased it from and they will be able to provide you with an immediate solution. If you have a problem returning the bulb to the retailer where it was purchased you can contact us here.
Why do my bulbs seem to burn out quickly?
There are a variety of reasons why your light bulb could be burning out prematurely. If you notice that a specific light fixture consistently has light bulbs burning out in it, it could be the fixture. Light fixtures can wear out over time and can cause light bulbs to prematurely fail. Also, make sure you are using the correct bulb for your application; verify the wattage, bulb shape and recommendations found on the packaging.
What is a CFL?
CFL stands for compact fluorescent lamp. It is a small fluorescent light bulb that uses 75% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb and can be screwed into a regular light sockets.
How does a CFL work?
Fluorescent light bulbs are more energy-efficient than regular bulbs because of the different method they use to produce light. Regular, incandescent light bulbs produce light by heating a filament inside the bulb. The heat makes the filament white-hot, producing the light that you see. This method very wasteful as it uses a lot of energy to heat up the filament that produces light. Fluorescent bulbs contain a gas that produces invisible ultraviolet light (UV) when the gas is excited by electricity. The UV light hits the white coating inside the fluorescent bulb and the coating changes it into light you can see. Because fluorescent bulbs don't use heat to create light, they are far more energy-efficient.
What's the difference between a CFL and a fluorescent bulb?
The size of the bulb is the main difference between these two types of bulbs.
Where should I use a CFL style bulb?
Use CFLs anyplace a traditional incandescent light bulb is used. However, the most practical use for a compact fluorescent bulb is in a lamp or fixtures turned on for at least three hours at a time. Hard to reach fixtures are also good candidates, since a CFL does not have to be changed as often as an incandescent bulb.
What wattage should I buy?
When buying a compact fluorescent light bulb, choose a wattage that's about one-fourth of what you usually buy. The table below shows some typical wattage conversions for CFLs:
- 15-watt incandescent = 3-watt compact fluorescent
- 40-watt incandescent = 9-watt compact fluorescent
- 60-watt incandescent = 14-watt compact fluorescent
- 75-watt incandescent = 19-watt compact fluorescent
- 100-watt incandescent = 23-watt compact fluorescent
- 120-watt incandescent = 30-watt compact fluorescent
How do I pick a bulb that produces the same amount of light?
New federal standards are making it easier for you to figure how if the light bulb you are picking will produce the same amount of light that you are used to. Now, all lighting packaging will display the amount of lumens that a bulb will produce.
What’s a Lumen?
A lumen is a measurement of the amount of light that is contained in a certain area. The technical definition of a lumen is one candela multiplied by one steradian. A much simpler definition of a lumen would be that one lumen is equivalent to the amount of light put out by one birthday candle when you are standing one foot away from it. If a light bulb puts out 100 lumens, imagine standing one foot away from a cake with one hundred birthday candles on it.
Lumens are more accurate way of measuring the amount of light a particular bulb is putting out, because lumens are a direct measurement of light output. Wattage, even though it is what people have become accustomed to seeing on packaging and measuring how much light they are seeing, it is not really an accurate way to measure light output. Just because a light bulb uses a particular amount of energy to run, does not mean that it directly correlates with the amount of light that is put out.
Can I use a CFL or an LED with a dimmer switch?
In order for a CFL to work on a dimmer switch you must purchase a CFL that is made to work with dimmers. All of TCP’s dimmable CFLs say that they are dimmable on the packaging. Not all dimmable CFLs are equal, the bulb’s packaging should indicate how well the bulb dims and if it requires a special type of dimmer to function properly.
All of TCP’s LEDs are fully dimmable.
Can I use a CFL with my 3-way lamp?
Yes a regular CFL can be used with a 3-way lamp and not have it damage the bulb. The bulb will operate on the middle setting. However you must purchase a special 3-way CFL in order to achieve the 3 different levels of brightness.
TCP makes a handful of 3-way CFLs and all of our 3-way bulbs are clearly marked on their packaging.
Why does my CFL flicker or appear dim when I first turn it on?
Early CFLs flickered when they were turned on because it took a few seconds for the ballast to produce enough electricity to excite the gas inside the bulb. With technological advances, CFLs now do not produce a significant flicker.
Some CFLs require a short warm-up period before they reach their full brightness. This could be why they appear to be a little dim with they are first turned on and TCP CFLs should take less than a minute to reach full brightness. TCP’s TruStart CFL will give you full brightness in a snap and TCP’s Instabright technology has a run-up time shorter than most other bulbs in the marketplace.
Can I use a CFL in applications where I will be turning the lights on/off frequently?
Some CFLs cannot handle frequent on/ off cycles and these products may have a shorter life if frequently turned on and off. However, There are certain CFLs that have been designed to handle frequent on/ off cycles, such as TCP’s TruStart.
Can I use a compact fluorescent light bulb in an enclosed light fixture?
Yes, you can use a CFLs that are 23 watts or below in a fully enclosed fixture.
Can I use a CFL bulb outside?
Many CFLs can be used outdoors, as long as they are in an enclosed fixture. Make sure to verify on the package if the bulb says that it can be used outdoors and verify the operating temperature for the area where the product will be used.
What about air temperature & CFLs?
Compact fluorescent light bulbs may generally be used where the air temperature is between 20 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Above 140 degrees, there may be reduced light output and premature ballast failure. CFLs have a harder time starting below 32 degrees, reducing the brightness.
Can I use a CFL in any position?
CFLs can be used in any operating position unless there is text printed on the lamp and/ or packaging that indicates a required operating position.
Can CFLs create interference with electronic equipment?
This product may cause interference with radios, cordless phones, televisions and remote controls. If interference occurs, move this product away from the device and plug into a different outlet.
Can I use a compact fluorescent light bulb with an electronic timer or photocell (AKA electric eye)?
Electronic timers tend to have a small amount of electricity running through them even though a lamp is shut off. The lamp continually tries to turn itself on, which shortens the CFL life.
Do CFLs give off Ultraviolet (UV) light?
CFLs give off a minimal amount of UV light. It does not pose a hazard.
Should I be concerned about using CFLs in my home?
CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly.
How do I safely dispose of a CFL when it burns out?
It is best to recycle your CFL. Many local hardware stores and communities have different recycling programs for CFLs. That way the bulbs will then be managed responsibly by an environmental management company who will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.
The EPA has a list of recycling centers that can be found here:
http://earth911.com/
What should I do if I break a CFL?
The EPA recommends that if a CFL breaks carefully sweep up all the fragments – wipe the area with a wet towel and dispose of all fragments, including the used towel, in a sealed plastic bag. Follow all disposal instructions.
If possible open windows to allow the room to ventilate. Do NOT use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and follow disposal instructions.
You can find full instructions here:
http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html