Suitability
Navigation	How suitable are CFLs for all common light fitting types/uses?
Home	Dimmers CFL’s are not suitable to be used in dimmers because of the following:: CFLs do not dim effectively because of the circuitry inside them. If a CFL is connected in a dimmer circuit it will consume up to five times more power than it should – up to 100 watts, even if the dimmer is set at maximum. As the CFL consumes more power it gets excessively hot which means the lamp can fail and there is a significant risk of fire. (This is discussed in more detail below). You cannot put a CFL in a dimmer switch circuit. Setting the dimmer permanently to maximum will not prevent this excess heat/power consumption. Electronic Switches (such as security lights and timer switches) may also have the same effect on the bulbs. An exception to this are dimmable CFLs which are made especially for use in dimmer circuits but these cost about $NZ20 a bulb. Refrigerators CFLs cannot be used in refrigerators because of the high number of switching cycles that take place. A high number of switching cycles means the length of the life of the bulbs will be significantly shorter. Because colder bulbs take longer to warm up, CFLs would not get to full brightness quickly enough to be able to light up the space. (You may be standing there with the refrigirator open for quite a while before you can see, and so more power would be used to cool the refrigerator down again). Ovens All CFLs have plastic casing around their circuitry. This circuitry is also delicate and only operates at a moderate temperature. If the CFL was subjected to the high temperatures of an oven the bulb would melt and be destroyed. This is not only a fire risk but a major health risk as the melting bulb would release dangerous chemicals into the environment and into the food which was being cooked. For more on the chemicals found in CFLs see the Mercury/Phosphor Effects page Enclosed Fittings CFLs cannot be used in enclosed fittings because there is no air circulation. This means that the bulb is likely to overheat and cause a fire. Installing a CFL in an enclosed fitting is a big fire risk. Regular Light Fittings These are the only place where regular CFLs can be used safely without risk of fire or electrical fault.
Better Bulbs?
Light/Cost Efficiency
Suitability
Retail Prices
Recycle-ability
Radio Interference
Box Claims
“The Science Behind It”
Mercury/Phosphor Effects
Glossary
Further Reading