Tips for Better Lighting

Why Wait? Get Light Fast with Quick Starting TCP TruStart CFL Light Bulbs August 16, 2012

A common complaint about compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) is slow start time – turn a CFL on then wait a minute or two before it warms up enough to use.

Now, with TCP Inc.’s new TruStart series CFL, there is no need to flick the switch and wait. A small processor chip is incorporated in the ballast of TruStart lamps (or light bulbs), which greatly shortens the warm up time. Within a second or two, the lights snap on to a useable level, then quickly warm up to full brightness. You get useful light in seconds and full brightness in a half minute, which is twice as fast as regular CFLs.

The programmed start also allows the the lamps to last twice as long. A standard CFL is rated for 10,000 hours, while the TruStart is rated for 20,000 hours. And, TruStarts may be used with most occupancy sensors and other lighting controls.  

Use these little cuties in table lamps, wall sconces, recessed cans, chandeliers and ceiling fixtures. UL approved for damp locations, meaning they can be used outdoors in weather approved fixtures. And, the bulbs are backed by a three year guarantee.

Choose from:

• 23 Watt (100 Watt incandescent equivalent)
• 18 Watt (75 Watt incandescent equivalent)
• 14 Watt (60 Watt incandescent equivalent)
• 9 Watt (40 Watt incandescent equivalent)

All are availble in various light colors:

• Warm white 2700K and 3000K,
• Cool white / bright white 3500K and 4100K,
• and Daylight white 5000K and 6500K.

Simply put, TruStart CFL light bulbs have the longest life of any bulb in the market, while achieving full brightness in record time.

The full line of TCP TruStart CFL light bulbs is available at bowmanlamps.com.

TCP LED Floodlights Earn ENERGY STAR® November 22, 2011

Great Escapes? Get Great Exit Signs! Only $6.99 March 1, 2011

Well maybe we are stretching things a bit. But this is a great deal on black LED exit signs with red letters and battery back-up.

The reliable, affordable units are double-faced with universal mounting – canopy, ceiling or wall. Superior LED lamps provide bright and even light throughout the long life of the fixture, 25 years on average. Black molded polycarbonate plastic housing is good-looking and durable.

Ideal for use in theaters, restaurants, commercial buildings, apartments – anywhere an exit sign is required. These units sell at retail for $25 each.  Get them here at the overstock price of $6.99 each plus shipping.

Dimmable 9 Watt CFL Light Bulbs. Awesome in Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures, & Wall Sconces February 17, 2011

This item has SOLD OUT and is no longer available.  However you might find what you need here.

Buy 9 Watt (40 Watt) Dimmable Compact Fluorescent (CFL) spiral-shaped light bulbs for only $5 each plus shipping. Normal retail price is $14.49 each. Replaces 40 Watt dimmable incandescent. Ideal for use in office and hotel / hospitality lighting, conference rooms, home theaters – anywhere a standard dimmable light bulb is used. Great in ceiling fans. Medium base and compact (4 x 1.8 inches) size fits anywhere a standard incandescent lamp fits. SpringLamp with10,000 hour average life lasts up to 7 years based on 4 hours use per day. Ideal for hard to reach places; replace less often. Lasts 10 to 13 times longer than similar incandescent light bulbs. Use less energy and lower utility bills. UL listed. Warm White 2700K color. (TCP10109) 

Four Last Minute Gift Ideas for Christmas 2010. Let There Be (CFL or LED) Light! December 6, 2010

Christmas is fast approaching, but there are a few people stubbornly remaining on your gift list.  Give them something useful this year, and I don’t mean socks! Try these compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED fixture for your penny pinching and/or environmentally conscious friends and family. Buy a box of 12 CFLs and use them as stocking stuffers – for grown-ups only of course.

Fresh2 Air Freshening Light Bulbs! Does your lovable family pet – let’s say this delicately – have a little odor problem?  Is  your favorite teenager’s room smelling less than sweet?  Try these odor ending light bulbs. The air will be smelling better in no time. The titanium dioxide coating on these energy saving light bulbs reacts with the fluorescent light to break down odors (when the light is on).  They’ve done wonders for my laundry room.  Ranging in cost from $9.39 to 19.99 plus shipping. Make your selection here.

3-Way Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb: Surprise your friends and family with versatility! Three-Way compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs offer 14/19/32 Watt levels – comparable to a 40/75/150 Watt 3-way incandescent light bulb. Choose the light output right for each use and save additional energy. These guys use 75% less energy than equivalent incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Fits anywhere a comparable incandescent fits. Individually boxed for easy giving.  A case includes 12. Only $4.99 each plus shipping. Order them here.

Dimmable Cold Cathode Flame Tip Chandelier Light Bulbs: Nothing says “love”  like energy savings – right?  Well maybe we are stretching things a bit. But these tiny, candelabra-based, flame-tipped chandelier bulbs are simply elegant. Fully dimmable 3 Watt cold cathode bulbs mimic traditional 15 to 20 incandescent lights. Frosted glass partially hides the swirl inside.  Treat somebody special (or yourself) and retrofit your old chandelier for good looks and energy savings. These bulbs will pay for themselves. Enjoy the soft warm light for years to come.  Only $8.99 each plus shipping.  Order here.

LED 16-watt Dock Lights and Flood Lights: Need a lot of high intensity light that’s easy to handle and energy efficient?  Try a portable LED  flood light. These little cuties are awesome.

The LED 16-watt Dock Light has 50,000 hours average rated life, and 775 focused lumens. The EcoVations Spot Light  is suitable for indoor and outdoor use making it an energy efficient alternative for lighting flag poles, studios and stages, machine stations, inspection stations, as well as use for security lighting. The fixture uses 82% less energy than a 90-watt PAR38 halogen, and exceed IESNA industry recommendations, and is UL rated for wet locations. Available here in yellow, rugged housing and comes with a plug. Only $255 plus shipping. Order here.

That’s Scary! Safety Tips for Halloween Lighting October 26, 2010

An outdoor light display at Halloween is just plain fun. But there are a few safety issues to consider.  They’re basically the same as Christmas light cautions, but worth the added effort.

• Check for cracked or frayed cords before plugging lights in.
• Outdoor lights should be fastened securely to prevent disruption from wind or Trick-or-Treaters.
• Go easy on extension cords. Don’t overload them, put them in high traffic areas, or places where water collects.
• Trick-or-Treat night is for children. Avoid decorations which can break or shatter. And, a small LED flashlight can illumine jack-0-lanterns with out the threat of a clandle flame.
• Limit the number of lights per extension cord.  No more than three standard size sets per cord.

That’s it! Have fun on Halloween, and if you need some amber or white colored LED lights, click here.

How Long Does a CFL Last? October 21, 2010

Generally speaking, a compact fluorescent light bulb (or lamp as it is known in the lighting industry), lasts 13 times longer than a standard incandescent light bulb. And covered CFLs (standard shapes with a CFL hidden inside) will last 10 times longer.

The average life of a CFL is 10,000 hours of use compared to 750 for a standard incandescent. At four hours a day, that ‘s well over six years of use.  Covered CFLs average 8,000 hours (over five years of use at four hours per day) while the standard incandescent bulbs still last 750 hours. The lives of covered bulbs are shortened by heat which builds up inside the cover.

That said, there are a number of other factors which effect  the longevity of a CFL. Consider the following:

• Price! The saying “You get what you pay for” holds true for CFLs. Lower cost, off brand bulbs may be poor quality and  usually don’t last as long.
• Flipping the switch. The number of times a CFL is turned off and on will affect how long it lasts. When a CFL is turned on, a higher voltage is needed to get the light started, putting stress on the bulb.  Flip the switch too many times and the bulb burns out sooner.  A CFL does best if it is turned off and on no more than five times a day.  More than that, and the life of the bulb is reduce by about 30 percent  - which still leaves plenty of room for savings over standard incandescent light bulbs.
• Vibration. If a CFL is used where there is a lot of vibration, the electronics in the CFL base may be effected, shortening the life of the bulb. For instance, you wouldn’t want to put a CFL along a roller coaster.
• Using the right bulb in the wrong place.  Heat is the enemy of CFLs. A consumer may be tempted to put a higher wattage bulb than recommended inside a fixture.  However, this could lead to heat build-up which again stresses the electronics in the CFLs ballast, causing early failure. Dimming a non-dimmable CFL will also result in a shortened life.
• Too hot or too cold to handle….  Well, not really. Extreme temperatures effect how a bulb operates. You may want to reconsider using a CFL for outdoor lighting if the temperature is frequently well below freezing. Or, consider another option for a sauna. Check the CFL boxes for minimum and maximum operating temperatures.

When it comes to CFLs, there are many options available. Check out a few long lasting CFLs here.