I'm about to install about 10 new recessed cans in a remodel. I'm interested in energy efficiency and so researched flourescent vs. incandenscent fixtures. Floursecent recessed lighting is available, but costs about triple traditional fixtures.

For example:

http://www.lightinguniverse.com/prod...cent%20Housing

My question: Why can't I put a screw-in flourescent bulb in a traditional recessed fixture? Why buy an expensive flourescent fixture?

Thanks, Tim

 

I was looking at replacing my spots with Floursecent, $15.00 a piece. Think I will stay with the spots.

 

I don't see why you couldn't install one of the screw-in compact fluorescent bulbs in a standard incandescent housing. They are very low wattage and produce little heat compared to an incandescent. You would not be able to use a dimmer switch with the CFs so you can't adjust the light level, but aside from that I think they would work just fine.

Those fixtures on that website all have ballasts incorporated in them and are designed for plain fluorescent tubes. That's why they are so much more expensive.

 

Mike:

If you do the math, flourescent bulbs will save $20-50 over their lifetimes, so the initial higher cost will pay off.

However, that savings evaporates if you have to pay $100 per recessed canister! That's why I asked the question...Hopefully, I can just screw-in regular flourescent bulbs. (By the way, you can find them cheaper at places like:

http://www.bulbs.com/default.asp?page=products


Thanks, Tim

 

Another difference might be the "color" of the inside of the "can". In places where lots of light wasn't important I put the fluorescents in. Because the inside of the cans was black I didn't get much "projection" of the light into the room. I considered spray painting a couple of the insides with Hi-Temp flat white paint but I never did.

In our new house I had it built with the fluorescents from day one. I HATE giving money to the power company and EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS on conservation. BTW our house is 2200 square feet, vent skinned, radiant barrier, ridge vents, and lots of other little things. Our electric bill averages LESS THAN $50 PER MONTH. And we have electric heat and hot water.

The power company keeps replacing our meter and scratching their heads trying to figure out how I'm stealing. The electric bills in our neighborhood average ABOUT $250 per month!

frank

 

I posed this question about 1 week ago. I believe you can do it. Recently I went to lowes and purchased a 15w flur. bulb. This 15w bulb did not provide the same lighting that I got from a incadenscent one. Currently Im looking for a better bulb.

Alan

 

Alan:

I too have seen 15 watt flourescent bulbs meant for recessed lighting. Here for example:

http://www.smarthome.com/903220.html


It says it's equivalent to a 50 watt incandescent. Let me know if you find a better bulb!

Thanks, Tim

 

Tim

I tried this one http://www.smarthome.com/images/903240big.jpg . Didnt like its output

 

Try this:
http://www.1000bulbs.com/

or this
http://www.nolico.com/saveenergy/

I've bought bulbs from nolico, their customer service is great.