Compact floresant lightbulbs vs regular ones?

[JEDI]

i just bought a cf bulb. it's 24 watts and suppose to be equal to a regular 100 watt bulb. but i don't think it's as bright.

on the other hand, the store also sells a 25 watt cf bulb. on the package, it says it's equal to a 100 watt bulb.

anyone know if the 25 watt cf is as bright as a regular 100 watt? and why are there 2 cf bulbs equal to a 100watt?

THX

 

[Viper GTS]

The two bulbs are within 4% of each other, it's perfectly reasonable for them both to be rated as equivalent to a 100 watt bulb. Are they different brands?

Viper GTS

 

[Nefrodite]

well the ratings are generally optimistic, especially on cheap brands. best to stick with good name brands like panasonic/ge/phillips. less likely to break too. i replaced my 100watt areas with panasonic 28watt cfs which are actually brighter then 100watts also cheapies use magnetic ballasts that flicker/buzz, better ones use electronic ballasts. one more tip, normal cfs don't work with dimmer switches, you gotta buy special ones for that.

cheapies are always good for places like garages

 

[RayH]

Also takes a minute or so for most cf's to reach full brightness.

 

[Infos]

You have to compare lumens

That lets you compare brightness between different bulbs

Fluorescent bulb prices have really dropped lately

 

[yoyo25]

I have two fluorescent mini bulbs and they have lasted over 3 years now...they are bit slow to reach max brightness, but are pretty reliable.

 

[wedi42]

i had a ballast for a CF bulb explode when i was sitting under it using my computer
i heard i huge POP! and smelled smoke. it scared the sh1t out of me