from Don in Madison, WI:
#209
I've heard that many low cost CFLs use cheap components in their ballasts that convert between US standard 60Hz AC power and the needed 10s of KHz for the CFL and that these cheap components are often not terribly efficient and that large portion of the perceived energy savings are simply not there. Any truth to this?
The savings offered by CFLs are real
The savings offered by CFLs are real. CFLs are rated by measuring the total power that goes into the them, including any power consumed by the components in the ballast. Changing from a 60W incandescent light bulb to a 13W CFL is guaranteed to save you 47W of power for as long as that CFL operates.
Cheap ballast components may affect other performance factors, however, including the lifetime of the CFL. Because quality can vary, it is important to look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products must pass extensive testing to ensure that they save energy and produce only the highest quality light. More information on the ENERGY STAR requirements for CFLs is available at the ENERGY STAR Web site.
Published Friday, May 15, 2009