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number of lighting options to choose from today is often mind- boggling.
When all is said and done, however, the only true energy-efficient
lighting choice is fluorescent. Should the thought of fluorescent
light serve up images of a flickering tube, annoying humming sounds,
and a sickly blue light, you've got a big surprise coming. Today
32 watt 1-inch diameter tubes have electronic ballasts, which provide
quiet operation and no flicker when turned on. Also, you have a
wide range of choices for color temperatures, some just as warm
and inviting as incandescent. Best of all, fluorescent lighting
uses one-quarter the electricity of incandescent lighting, last
up to 10 to 15 times as long, and emits less heat, not bad on the
pocketbook or the environment! When it comes to fluorescent lighting
fixtures, most people still envision those flat, rectangular boxes
hanging from the ceiling as the only option. For design flexibility,
the new compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) with an integral ballast
and a screw-type base can be used to replace incandescent bulbs
in most of your favorite existing decorative fixtures. One disadvantage,
however, is that this type of CFL does not yet work with dimmers,
although that is changing in the very near future. Another drawback
is that sometimes the retrofitted fixtures, which were not designed
specifically for CFL's, trap the light inside the fixture rather
than reflecting it outward. In this case, using CFL's of a slightly
higher wattage can solve the problem. Better yet, choose a fixture
that is designed and wired specifically for a CFL. These days, concerns
for green building products and state code requirements have resulted
in a whole new generation of fluorescent fixtures, created for beauty
as well as efficiency. These fixtures include a ballast, so the
CFL won't need an integral one and will therefore be less expensive
to replace. They also work with dimmers.
Whatever you do with your lighting, be sure to plan ahead. Check
out your options and choose wisely. A little extra thought now could
result in many attractive monetary and environmental savings later
on!
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