Can CFL bulbs be used with a dimmer?
Can CFL bulbs be used with a dimmer?
A: No. The majority of CFL bulbs sold today are not dimmable. A CFL bulb that cannot be used on a dimmer will have the statement “not for use with dimmers” or “do not use with dimmers” marked directly on the bulb. Recently, dimmers have been introduced designed specifically for CFL (and LED) bulbs.
How can you tell if a CFL is dimmable?
The package or bulb should say if it’s dimmable and tell you which dimmer switches are compatible. You may get varying results with different CFLs and their compatible dimmers.
Can florescent bulbs be dimmed?
All regular fluorescent bulbs can be dimmed; however, if you try to dim one in an ordinary fluorescent fixture, you will encounter one or more of these problems: The lamp may not light. If it lights, it may make a buzzing noise. The light output may be unstable, or the lamp will go out at random times.
Why can’t you use LED bulbs with a dimmer switch?
The downside is that LED bulbs are extremely low-wattage (they use up very little energy), which means leading edge dimmers can’t read or control their circuitry very well. Trailing edge dimmers, on the other hand, have a much lower wattage range and can read and control LED bulbs easily and effectively.
Can I use my old dimmer switch with LED bulbs?
A standard dimmer switch cannot be used with an LED light as you will never be able to dim the LED light either completely or not very well. LED lights need their own special electronic dimmer switch to have a fully functioning and dimming light.
Are dimmable lights worth it?
Dimmable LED bulbs are perfect for creating mood lighting – that’s when they come into their own. They’re also ideal for living spaces, bedrooms and accent lighting. For movie nights-in or romantic meals, dimmable LED bulbs can be all you need to set the perfect atmosphere.
Are T5 bulbs dimmable?
It is possible to dim T5 lamps with dimming ballasts. In the United States, several dimming ballasts for T5 high output (T5 HO) lamps are available. The manufacturers claim that these ballasts can dim from 100% to 1% of full light output.
Can CFL bulbs start a fire?
Instead, hold a CFL bulb by its plastic base. If a fluorescent light begins to smoke or smolder, immediately shut off the power to the light. Although the base or glass tubing may darken, an Energy Star CFL should never catch on fire.
What bulbs are best for dimmer switches?
Incandescent light bulbs are the dimmer-friendly bulbs, as they work well with any dimmer switch. When using incandescent bulbs, make sure not to crank up the voltage too high, or the bulb will burn out more quickly, lessening the lifespan.