Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Flourescent light bulb question

I am changing all my light bulbs(lamps,ceiling fan,ceiling fixtures) to the new fluorescent ones, energy reasons. If my fixtures say 60 watt only is this because of the heat generated or power used? Can I safely use 75 watt fluorescent ones or must I stick with 60 watt? There is an appreciable difference in the amount of light produced.

A little of both, but generally it's the wattage used, or rather the amps I suppose. In fixtures like a ceiling one, heat would be a problem as well as how much load you are putting on the wiring. Heat is not a probelm with compact flourescents. The breakers in your main box can only take so much "load". When using fluorescents, though, you have to go by the "power consumption", not the "light output". A flourescent that delivers 75 w of "light" probably only consumes 15 or 20 watts of power. Basically you can use any fluorescent you can buy in any fixture. Even a 100w output flourescent doesn't come close to putting enough load on to be a problem.

Thank you!!!! I will up the wattage to a little better than 'see in the dark'.

Enclosed fixtures have limited means of dissipating heat. Conventional incandescent lamps are about 5% efficient, converting 95% of their energy consumption into heat.
You could probably use the more efficient lamps with appreciably higher wattages and not even come close to maxing out the capacity of the fixtures' wiring or heat dispersal capacity.

Can I safely use 75 watt fluorescent ones or must I stick with 60 watt? There is an appreciable difference in the amount of light produced.


tow guy basically has it. If you notice, what you are referring to as a 75 watt CF actually is about an 28 watt light. There generally state something to the affect that they the provide comperable lighting or lumens to a 75 watt incandescent.

A watt is actually a unit of power and represents the amount of power the particular lamp used is consuming. That power is converted into (with lighting) light and heat. A fluorescent lamp produces more light and less heat per watt consumed. That is why a 18 watt CF will produce as much light output as a 75 watt incandescent. This is also why you spend less to use the comparable CF over the incandescent.

I find the CF's that are listed as comperable really aren't. I tend to go up a step or two but still below the actual rated wattage of the fixture.


a 100w comparable CF consumes about 23 watts so you would still be within allowances of the fixture.

By the way, nothing is ever free in life - there is always a cost. These new CF lamps lose their ability to produce light as they get colder...shouldn't be a problem inside the house but it does mean that when you turn on a lamp that has cooled completely, it takes time to warm up. These lamps get brighter over the course of a few minutes (don't quote me on the exact time) so if you just run into the kitchen to get something during the commercial break, it will be a while before the lights are all the way up. I know the way to the 'fridge and the toilet by heart so it isn't a big issue for me.

I have nightlights thru the house so if the lights take a bit to 'warm up' it won't be a problem.
Thanks to everyone for the education in lights/wattage/usage and all that good stuff!!!!!!!

I am changing all my light bulbs(lamps,ceiling fan,ceiling fixtures) to the new fluorescent ones, energy reasons. If my fixtures say 60 watt only is this because of the heat generated or power used? Can I safely use 75 watt fluorescent ones or must I stick with 60 watt? There is an appreciable difference in the amount of light produced.

Please re-read my post. You are not installing 75 watt lamps. You are asking about lamps (approx 18 watts) that are advertised to emit an amount of light roughly equal to a 75 watt incandescent.

It is the heat generated that is of concern. You are safe going to the 75 watt (incandescent) equivilant lamps. Even the ones advetised as 75 watt equivialnt will still consume less power than the origianl 60 watt incandescent.

Sorry Nap. Typo when dealing with a subject that I am not familiar. I did understand how you explained it and very much appreciate all the help.

Your welcome.