Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Replacing regular bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent

Hello;
If a light fixture uses "60W Max" and the new energy efficient 60W replacement bulb only uses "13 Watts"....then can I safely replace my 60W bulb with a 100 Watt fluorescent bulb as it only uses 23 Watts?
Can this same logic be used on 100W etc fixtures.
I'm asking because they just don't seem bright enough.
P.S. I'm trying the Sylvania Energy Star bulbs...
Thanks.

You are correct on both points you make. I always go one step up when converting - if it was a 60 watt incandescent, I replace with a 75 watt equivalent CFL - they never seem quite as bright as billed.

Keep in mind that CFL bulbs cannot be used with dimmers or in enclosed fixtures unless specifically rated for such.

Even if you bump up to a higher rated wattage, you still save a bunch on the electrical/power cost. The bulbs should also last longer.

If you shop, you can find some great promotional or energy programs that make them cheap.

Dick

Fixture maximum wattage ratings are for the real watts of the bulb not the equivilent light output rating.

or in enclosed fixtures unless specifically rated for such.

Which needs t obe rated for such? The bulb or the fixture?

I recently replaced the ceiling fan in my wife's "craft room" that used to have a light fixture with a ceramic base that could accept a 100 watt bulb. Didn't realize that the cheap fan she picked to replace it only has a candlelabra base rated at 60 max. Defininetly not enough light in there now (even thought she does use a work light over the table). AND we can only find clear bulds at 60 wats so it casts really bad shadows.

SO, are there candlelabra base CFLs and could I go up to say 75 or 100w equivalent? I thought the limiting factor was the heat genrated by the bulbs. If the CFLs produce less heat, is this switch possible?

Tom

I have these GE CFL's:
http://genet.gelighting.com/LightProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=COMMERCIALSPECPAGE&PRODUCTCODE=21718&BreadCrumbValues=CATG,_Lamps_Compact%20Fluorescent_Self-Ballasted_Reflector_R40&SearchFieldCode=null

after reading your link,i was worried that these cannot be used for high hats/recessed lighting.
Can you please advise sine the manufacturer's site really doesnt mention anyting about enclosed lighting.

Thanks

keep in mind ...can't use conventional dimmers on CFL's, they will burn out the dimmer, you have to digitally control the sine wave of the 60 cycles in order to dim a CFL, soon these will be on the market, but ... EXPENSIVE !!! :)