Fresh Finds

Dimmable CFLs

Last February, the governments of Jamaica and Cuba distributed 30,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to households in both countries as part of the two countries' joint energy saving project. Last week, the South African government announced they would be handing out 500 million CFL bulbs to households in Cape Town to cut down on the area's energy demands.

CFL bulbs, which can last up to five years and use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, have been widely available in the U.S. for many years. Unfortunately, standard CFLs aren't appropriate for all applications, like dimmers and three-way switches. Fortunately, standard CFLs aren't alone on the shelves anymore. Greenlite, Westinghouse, Maxlite and GE have recently started manufacturing dimmable CFLs and CFLs designed for use with three-way switches, so your entire house can now glow with the warm, eco-friendly hue of CFLs.

Greenlite's 23-watt dimmable CFL is sold online at Amazon.com: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00013VM58/002-2679375-2616864?v=glance&n=284507

Westinghouse manufactures both 3-way CFLs and dimmable CFLs. To find a Westinghouse dealer in your neighborhood, go to www.westinghouselightbulbs.com or call 888-417-6222

Maxlite's dimmable CFL is available through Service Lighting: www.servicelighting.com/catalog_product.cfm?source=Shopping.com∏=MX02005

GE's Soft White 3-Way and Soft White Dimmable CFL bulbs can be purchased at your local Wal-Mart store, although they aren't available through the store's web site. For more information about GE's bulbs, visit www.gelighting.com.

Fresh Finds is a regular Green Guide feature.
© Emily Main, 2006

© The Green Guide, 2008

Email this post

Discuss this blog

Green Gab is for registered users only. If you are not a registered user and would like to join the discussion, register today. Already registered? Log in here:
Username:		Password:
If you have forgotten your password, click here.