Postings

12-2009
Dear EHW,

I have been looking for a new lighting fixture for my kitchen that will fit energy saving light bulbs. The fixture I like has three sockets for three bulbs. To get the light level that I need in the kitchen, that means I need to use three 25 watt energy saving bulbs that give off 100 watts of light each. However, the energy saving bulbs don't fit in the sideway mounted sockets of the fixture. Due to this I was not going to purchase the fixture, however, the salesperson pointed out the following to me: The fixture sockets have stickers on them warning NOT to use any bulb over 75 watts and since the 25 watt energy saving bulbs give off light levels of 100 watts I can't use them. I was also told that since I liked the fixture, I should buy it and just use regular 75 watt bulbs which are just as bright as the energy saving ones.

Is this information the salesperson told me true? Should I just use regular 75 watt incandescent bulbs?

Thank you,
Vito

EHW's ANSWER:
Thank you for your email and being an EHW member. We are happy that you asked us about this before giving up on the energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs. While we hate to sound negative about someone, this time it sounds like the salesperson is just trying to sell you that fixture or they are completely uninformed. The fact is, the socket's warning sticker says do not use more than 75 watts, not more than a 75 watt light level. The energy saving bulb only uses 25 watts and can be used in that fixture! The light level output of this energy saving bulb has nothing to do with this warning for maximum wattage. Now if you wanted to use an energy saving bulb that used 90 watts, then that is more than the 75 watts stated on the warning sticker and the 90 watt bulb cannot be used.

Also note that the highest wattage for a screw-in compact fluorescent energy saving bulb is 40 watts, which is equal to 200 watts of light. If this 40 watt bulb fits, it could also be used in that fixture's socket. Again, because it is only consuming 40 watts, way below the 75 watt warning. Also you stated that to get the light level you need in the kitchen you have to use 3 bulbs giving you 100 watts of light each. Just using 3 regular 75 watt bulbs will not do the job and you cannot put in three regular 100 watt bulbs because of the 75 watt Maximum warning sticker.

Keep searching and surf the web, you will find a fixture that you like and will fit the 25 watt energy saving bulbs you want to use. Please email us again if you have a follow up question or if we didn't answer your question clearly.

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2008
Dear Energy Hot Wire,

We live in a highrise co-op building in New York. Three years ago the co-op replaced all of the residents fuse boxes with electric meters and we started paying for our own electric bill since then. We contacted your website for suggestions on saving energy and consequently lowering our monthly bill. With your help, we are now paying between $27 and $35 monthly, while neighbors with same size apartments are paying $80 to $90 monthly.

Thank you for your insight on light bulbs and electric appliances. We are glad we became members of your website and look forward to lowering our electric bill even more.

Sincerely,
The Mesa family

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12-2007
Dear Bill,

Thank you for your fantastic presentation at the Manhasset library for North Shore Audubon. I had such positive feedback from our members and I believe you gave them enough information to actually make a change. Even my husband, the electrician, learned a thing or two. Thank you especially for coming out under such a stressful time.

Wish you peace and happiness in the coming year.

Mary; President

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1996/1997
Hello LightBulb Hotline:

Thank you for all your data, insight, and socking truths on energy topics, especially with heating a house. This help tremendously when I purchased a house, previous owners consumed about 1,000 gallons of heating oil per year. After two years of energy saving steps, we only use 290 gallons. Astonishment for my old oil company. I now buy as I need and that is about once a year from another oil company.

“You can not have money as the reason for doing something. If you do, then you will fail in life and you will never better anything for yourself, your family, friends, and fellow mankind.” - LJW, 1994

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