Best Fluoresecent lights to use

[Stephen@Home]

A short while ago I read an article online about a new type of fluorescent light. Can't remember all the details but I remember them saying it was a new type and it was better in terms of efficiency or cost or brightness. Anyway, now that I am getting around to replacing my incandescent bulbs, I'll be damned if I can find the article.

So I'll just ask the question that I really want answered. What should I be looking at for replacement bulbs for all the floor/table lamps and ceiling lights in my house? Is there a specific type of fluorescent or will any old CFL do?

Also, I just replaced my kitchen 4' flouro bulbs with what I was told were "full spectrum" lights and they certainly seem brighter. they were about 10x the cost of regular bulbs, and apparently worse on efficiency. Anything I need to know about these as I have others in the home that I am looking to replace (garage for example). Should I get these pricier ones or stick with cheapo's?

Thanks

[Stephen@Home]

Since it appears no one has even viewed this post, I'll just bump this up in hopes of getting a response.

[Cheyenps]

>>A short while ago I read an article online about a new type of fluorescent light.

You probably read about the new T-5 lamps. They're currently one of the the darlings of the lamp business, but they're not really available for home-type fixtures yet.

>>What should I be looking at for replacement bulbs for all the floor/table lamps and ceiling lights in my house? Is there a specific type of fluorescent or will any old CFL do?

'most any will do; the main difference is color temperature. Cooler colors (cool white/daylight) will appear to give more light but reddish colors will wash out. Warmer colors (warm white or kitchen/bath) put out a light that is more "pink", a better fit in a house, IMHO.

>>Also, I just replaced my kitchen 4' flouro bulbs with what I was told were "full spectrum" lights and they certainly seem brighter. they were about 10x the cost of regular bulbs, and apparently worse on efficiency.

"Full spectrums" are the other darling of the lamp business. They're snake oil IMHO, but that's just my opinion. If you think they are putting out more light (and you want more light) then they're working for you if you don't mind the cost. They're not very efficient and put out more light only as a function of the fact they are 40 watt lamps rather than the more common energy savers - 34 watt.

>>Should I get these pricier ones or stick with cheapo's?

You don't want to go to the cheapest fluorescent lamps - generally sold as "Shoplights", "Homelights" or "Resilights". The 50 cents/lamp savings is not worth the degredation in performance and their alarming tendency to flicker, pulsate and destroy ballasts. Look for a good quality commercial grade fluorescent tube - like a Philipps F40/T12/CW/EW or equals from other manufacturers.

The CW stands for "Cool White" and will appear to be the brightest. These lamps also come in other color temps if color rendition is important.