Showrooms with CFL fixtures

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Author Message   Zeno Citizen Username: Eratosthenes Post Number: 83 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 9:53 am:        We are looking to eventually replace most of our light fixtures with CFL. The problem is, we can't find a showroom that carries them. "Not much call for them." Does anyone have recommendations? It's always chancy buying something you've only seen in a small jpeg. Among other things, we're looking at Seagull who have a reasonable (and reasonably expensive) line of high-efficiency ceiling fans with CFL. I'm curious also if anyone can shed light on the utility of replacing fixtures with CFL fixtures, versus just putting CFL lamps in existing fixtures. + greater efficiency (how much difference?) + you don't have to throw away the ballast just because the lamp is out (ballast lifetime seems to be 5x that of the lamp) + some CFL fixtures come with dimmers - greater selection in incandescent fixtures - some of the CFL fixtures (Seagull) are pretty expensive   tourne Citizen Username: Tourne Post Number: 324 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 8:19 pm:        For discounted $4 ceiling fixtures go to Siperstein Paints on Rt. 22 in Union. See www.efi.org for other fixtures. If CF bulbs will fit in a regular fixture, I would use them. Some of them are very compact now. You could buy these bulbs for $1 here in NJ several months ago, check Siperstein Paints to see if they have any left. Totally enclosed fixtures sometimes heat up the ballast of CF bulbs too much and reduce their lifetime, but at 1$ a piece, it probably doesn't matter. Take note that like all flourescent bulbs, CF's contain a small amount of mercury in the spiral near the base of the bulb. You can throw them away because they are not considered hazardous, but it would be better to dispose of them at the local haz. waste cleanup day with other flourescent tubes.   Zeno Citizen Username: Eratosthenes Post Number: 92 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 3:26 am:        Thanks. Re enclosed fixtures, I've heard that CFLs also lose efficiency when they're heated up, although I'm sure incandescent is still way less efficient. We are considering what to do with some recessed cans, I found this interesting retrofit that moves the ballast outside the can (and therefore outside the heat): http://www.powerlux.com.   tourne Citizen Username: Tourne Post Number: 325 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 12:14 pm:        I have used CFL reflector bulbs (R30 and R40) in recessed lights with good results. Once again, they were being sold for only $2 in November. They are made by Maxlite Company, in Pine Brook, NJ. I would give them a call and see if you can get any direct at a discount price.