My family's been wanting to upgrade to compact florescent for years, but we've always found they burn out quickly thanks to our flaky power surges. Would dimmable bulbs be helpful, or is there some sort of inexpensive power conditioning that can be added to light sockets? [more inside]
posted on Jul 10, 2008 - 9 answers

Let's say there are two identical light fixtures, on two identical dimmer switches. One fixture has two 15W dimmer-compatible compact fluorescent lights, the other has two standard 60W incandescent bulbs. The dimmer switches are turned just beyond the "off" position to the "dimmest" position (identical on both dimmers). What will the difference in power utilization be between the two fixtures?
posted on Feb 27, 2008 - 8 answers

I broke a compact fluorescent light bulb in my bedroom. Rudimentary cleanup, but I'm must go to bed, and my husband's already asleep in there. I saw the scary "leave the room for 15 minutes" mercury warnings on the government cleanup page. Anybody know the science? How bad is this? [more inside]
posted on Feb 27, 2008 - 10 answers

College student looking for a really good studying/reading lamp. Preferably of the nice, bright "white" light variety rather than the eye-straining, weak "yellow" light. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted on Apr 3, 2007 - 17 answers

What is normal when a compact flourescent bulb burns out? [more inside]
posted on Mar 27, 2007 - 19 answers

Where to find silver bowl lightbulbs in Chicago? [more inside]
posted on Dec 19, 2006 - 12 answers

Why would the lightbulbs burn out much more frequently in one room of my house? [more inside]
posted on Feb 22, 2006 - 9 answers

What would be a safe paint to use on a (regular old general use incandescent) light bulb that will actually be used in a lamp? [more inside]
posted on Feb 7, 2006 - 3 answers

I just replaced a burned out bulb in my overhead kitchen fixture. The bulb that burned out was a 60 watter. I only had a 100 watter on hand. I know I'm hastening fossil fuel depletion, but am I also causing a fire risk? What about ignoring the wattage recomendations in favor of higher watts in table lamps?
posted on May 26, 2005 - 16 answers