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| Here's a list of the most frequently asked questions. If you don't find answers to your questions, please call one of our Customer Service Representatives at 1-888-417-6222 weekdays 8:30am to 5:30pm EST, or email us at info@westinghouselightbulbs.com. |
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| Fluorescent |
- Why does my fluorescent light fixture make noise?
- Which light bulbs are the closest to sunlight?
- Are compact fluorescent light bulbs worth the investment?
- Can a fluorescent light bulb be dimmed?
- Can a compact fluorescent light bulb be dimmed?
- Is it OK to throw fluorescent tubes in the trash?
- What is ENERGY STAR®?
- When I first used a Compact Fluorescent Lamp, it interfered with my TV.
Why is that?
- Can I use my CFL outdoors?
- Can I use my CFL in an indoor ceiling fixture?
- Don't fluorescent bulbs give off a cold green light?
- Can I use a compact fluorescent in a dusk to dawn fixture?
- Can I use my compact fluorescent on an electronic timer?
- Do fluorescent light bulbs give off ultraviolet (UV) light? |
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| Incandescent |
- If you are leaving a room, but are coming back to that room
in a short period of time, should you turn the lights off or keep them on?
- The light bulbs in my chandelier are getting dark. Why is that?
- Why are incandescent light bulbs so hot?
- My bulbs don't seem to last as long as the package states.
How are the hours on a light bulb measured?
- Will incandescent light bulbs fade colors?
- Someone told me to spray a lubricant on the light bulb before I put it
in my outdoor socket. Should I do this?
- How do bug lights work?
- Does dimming an incandescent light actually save money?
- Is it good to use incandescent light for plants? |
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| Halogen |
- Is halogen an incandescent light bulb?
- Can you dim halogen?
- Why do halogen lamps need covers or guards?
- Why can't you touch some halogen light bulbs? |
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| High Intensity Discharge |
- Do I get good color from a High Pressure Sodium lamp?
- Can I use a metal halide lamp in my mercury vapor fixture?
- Are Mercury Vapor lamps self-ballasting?
- Can I use Metal Halide indoors?
- Sometimes my Metal Halide lamps vary in color, why is that?
- What is meant by Pulse-Start?
- What is the economic life of a metal halide?
- What is the rated life of a metal halide? |
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| Fluorescent |
- Why does my fluorescent light fixture make noise?
The noise coming from your fluorescent light fixture is usually a loose or malfunctioning ballast.
- Which light bulbs are the closest to sunlight?
The Westinghouse ReaLite™ fluorescent light bulbs have a high CRI (Color Rendering Index), which determines color accuracy, and a Kelvin temperature (color of light) that replicates natural sunlight at high noon.
- Are compact fluorescent light bulbs worth the investment?
Yes, if you want to save money, time and the environment. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75-80% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last up to 13 times longer, saving you money in energy costs and light bulb replacement costs. Compact fluorescent bulbs are especially good for hard-to-reach/inconvenient places where the lights are on for long periods of time.
- Can a fluorescent light bulb be dimmed?
Only with a fluorescent dimmer, not on a standard incandescent dimmer.
- Can a compact fluorescent light bulb be dimmed?
Westinghouse has a few compact fluorescent light bulbs that have been specifically designed to be able to be dimmed on an incandescent dimmer. However, generally speaking, CFL light bulbs cannot be dimmed.
- Is it OK to throw fluorescent tubes in the trash?
Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, which is a hazardous waste, but the amount in a single lamp is small. Please check with your local authorities if you are disposing of a large quantity of fluorescent tubes.
- What is ENERGY STAR®?
The E S® label that is found on products stands for superior energy performance. E S® was first introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy efficient products that reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
- When I first used a Compact Fluorescent Lamp, it interfered with my TV. Why is that?
CFL's may interfere with a variety of devices because they use the same wavelengths. If you find that they interfere, move the CFL away, or plug the electronic device into another outlet.
- Can I use my CFL outdoors?
Sure, as long as it is in an enclosed fixture. CFL's have a harder time starting when it is below 32 degrees, so the bulb may not come to full brightness.
- Can I use my CFL in an indoor ceiling fixture?
It is not recommended that you use CFL's in an enclosed indoor ceiling fixture. Because these fixtures don't have any airflow, the temperature of the light bulb gets very hot, and the life of the CFL is sacrificed.
- Don't fluorescent bulbs give off a cold green light?
You can find many fluorescent and compact fluorescent products that match the same color as incandescent. Look for light bulbs that say "Warm White" or "Soft White" and that have a CRI (Color Rendering Index) above 70.
- Can I use a compact fluorescent in a dusk to dawn fixture?
Dusk-to-dawn photocell fixtures contain a silicon chip that converts radiant energy into electrical current. Many photocells do this in a way that is incompatible with CFL circuitry, which will cause short life.
- Can I use my compact fluorescent on an electronic timer?
Some electric timers have a small amount of electricity running through the product even when the lamp is off. This makes the lamp continually try to start itself, which causes the CFL to have a short life.
- Do fluorescent light bulbs give off Ultraviolet (UV) light?
The UV that fluorescent lights give off is minimal and does not pose a hazard.
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| Incandescent |
- If you are leaving a room, but are coming back to that room in a short period of time, should you turn the lights off or keep them on?
Turn the lights off, it will save you money.
- The light bulbs in my chandelier are getting dark. Why is that?
As an incandescent light bulb ages, the tungsten that the filament is made of burns off and attaches itself to the inside glass of the light bulb, which causes the light bulb to darken, or blacken.
- Why are incandescent light bulbs so hot?
An incandescent light bulb gives off 90% heat and 10% light, therefore the amount of heat radiated is substantial, and the bulbs get hot.
- My bulbs don't seem to last as long as the package states. How are the hours on a light bulb measured?
The hours stated on a light bulb package are "average rated hours". This means that in a test, half of the bulbs will last longer than the stated hours, while the other half will not. This is an industry standard.
- Will incandescent light bulbs fade colors?
Incandescent and halogen light bulbs can fade colors if they are very close to the light source. To reduce the likelihood of fading, you can use a UV filter or UV safe halogen product, reduce the wattage of the light bulb or move the light further away.
- Someone told me to spray a lubricant on the light bulb before I put it in my outdoor socket. Should I do this?
No, you should not use a lubricant before you put a light bulb in, or before you take one out. If the bulb seems stuck, turn off the power and put on a pair of heavy gloves before trying to remove.
- How do bug lights work?
Bugs are sensitive to certain colors of light, and other colors they cannot see. Many insects cannot see yellow, and are therefore not attracted to it.
- Does dimming an incandescent light actually save money?
Yes, by dimming an incandescent light bulb, you reduce the energy consumption of that light bulb, saving you money.
- Is it good to use incandescent light for plants?
It depends on what you are trying to do. Incandescent lighting is strong in the red part of the color spectrum, which many plants like, however, incandescent light bulbs give off a lot of heat, so you need to be careful how close you put the light. Be careful not to burn the leaves of the plant. We recommend using a Westinghouse NurtureLite™ bulb.
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| Halogen |
- Is halogen an incandescent light bulb?
Yes, halogen performs similarly to an incandescent light bulb, but it is filled with a pressurized halogen gas, so it burns hotter and brighter than an incandescent.
- Can you dim halogen?
Yes, halogen can be dimmed just like incandescent light bulbs.
- Why do halogen lamps need covers or guards?
Most halogen light bulbs are pressurized and have the possibility of explosion. The covers and guards are safety measures.
- Why can't you touch some halogen light bulbs?
Because the oils on your fingers will cause the lamp life to shorten. If you touch a halogen light bulb, wipe it clean with a cloth and rubbing alcohol.
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| High Intensity Discharge |
- Do I get good color from a High Pressure Sodium lamp?
High Pressure Sodium lamps appear yellow in color and do not have very good color accuracy. These are extremely efficient lamps that are excellent to use where color is not important. If you need better color quality, you might want to move to Metal Halide.
- Can I use a metal halide lamp in my mercury vapor fixture?
No, you cannot use metal halide in place of mercury vapor lamp - the ballasts are different. Please check the ANSI code of your ballast to make sure you purchase the right lamp for your fixtures.
- Are Mercury Vapor lamps self-ballasting?
Although there are some self-ballasting Mercury vapor lamps, Westinghouse does not carry these types. All Mercury Vapor lamps we provide require an appropriate fixture and ballast.
- Can I use Metal Halide indoors?
Yes but, check to see if the Metal Halide is "open-fixture" rated (also called "O-rated"). If it is not, an enclosed fixture is recommended. If the lamp does not have a shroud around the arc tube ("E=Rated"), it is an enclosed fixture only lamp. An S-rated lamp is suitable for open fixture operation only if operated in the vertical +/- 15 degree position. These lamps do not meet ANSI criteria for self-containment and must be turned off at least once per week for 15 minutes if operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Sometimes my Metal Halide lamps vary in color, why is that?
Because metal halide lamps use various arc tube designs and different chemicals in the arc tube, different colors are produced. In new lamps, these chemicals need to "burn-in" for approximately 100 hours before they reach their optimum color.
- What is meant by Pulse-Start?
Specially designed metal halide lamp that uses a ballast with igniter for starting.
- What is the economic life of a metal halide?
Economic life usually refers to the hours of operation a lamp is designed to provide in terms of optimum light output, color quality and energy consumption. Economic life is generally defined at 60% -75% of the lamp's rated life.
- What is the rated life of a metal halide?
This is the lamp expectancy based on laboratory and field tests or representative lamps, operating on approved ballasts, with an operating cycle of 10 hours per start.
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Westinghouse Lighting Corporation, a Westinghouse Electric Corporation licensee.
and "You can be sure ... if it's Westinghouse" are all registered trademarks of Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
©2007 Westinghouse Lighting Corporation. All Rights reserved.
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