from Corina in Whitewater, WI:
#597
In trying to understand why my energy use is so high, I bought a watt meter. Can you tell me why the ENERGY STAR® CFLs listed as having a 23-watt draw actually read 80 watts? A traditional 60-watt bulb reads a draw of 63 watts on this watt meter.
There are a few possible explanations.
This is an interesting question. There are a few possible explanations for why the CFL is reading so high, but without being able to test the bulb and watt meter, I have no way of knowing for sure.
1. It could be that the CFL is faulty. Have you tried other CFLs in the watt meter? I would suggest trying other CFLs to see what wattage they register.
2. It could be the fixture. Were both bulbs you used in the same fixture? Put the CFL and the standard bulb in a different fixture and then try using the watt meter.
3. It could be a faulty watt meter.
4. It could be a faulty reading.
5. It could be a faulty connection.
Published Monday, December 14, 2009