Re: GBlist: Compact Fluorescent Residential Fixtures?

[David Bergman <bergman@cyberg.com>]

I received this while in the midst of writing a short article about 
why  residential fluorescent fixtures aren't more successful.

As a fixture designer, I have some definite opinions about this. One of the 
issues (but by no means the only one or even the major one) is that good 
electronic ballasts, especially dimming ballasts, are still pretty pricey. 
In my fixtures (see link at bottom), the electronics (ballast and dimmer) 
alone come to almost the price you want to pay for the entire fixture. 
That's before the cost of the fixture itself, never mind overhead and 
profit. Non-dimming can be significantly less expensive, but there's still 
a quality vs price issue for the electronics.

The ballasts are generally fairly large (I can't figure out why they are 
larger than the ballasts in the screwbase bulbs) which has a big effect on 
both the design and cost of production of the fixtures.

My article is actually more about other reasons for the lack of successful 
CFL decorative (non recessed) fixtures, but your price range got me focused 
here on the cost aspect.

I also design fixtures using the screwbase integral ballast bulbs -- though 
I prefer dedicated CFL's for the same reason you do -- and they are much 
less expensive to produce, as well as much more saleable.

The middle ground alternative is screwbase CFL's with separable ballasts. 
They're harder to find though.

I'll be curious what you turn up. And if you're looking for fixtures that 
cost a bit more...well, I'll cut short the self plug. It's un-forum-like.

David Bergman

Kevin Gilleran wrote:
>Hi all,
>Does anyone have any experience purchasing residential compact fluorescent
>fixtures?
>
>I am looking to replace existing fixtures for kitchen, living, restroom,
>bedrooms etc.. with nice looking, reasonably priced ($100-150/unit?),
>electronic ballasted hardwired compact fluorescent fixtures.
>
>I cannot find such an animal in the local or chain hardware stores in my
>area.
>
>Am I being unreasonable here? I know the alternative is to use screw in
>compact lamp/ballast combo's but I would rather not throw the ballast away
>when the lamp dies.
>
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Kevin P. Gilleran CEM
>Energy Services
>3555 Airway Drive
>Santa Rosa CA 95403
>direct 707-547-4594
>fax 707-546-6012
>nextel 707-975-5100
>
>______________________________________________________________________
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David Bergman
David Bergman Architect/Fire & Water Lighting + Furniture
bergman@cyberg.com    http://www.cyberg.com
t 212 475 3106    f 212 677 7291

______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by CREST <www.crest.org>
BuildingGreen <www.buildinggreen.com> and Oikos <www.oikos.com>
For  instructions send  e-mail to  greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
______________________________________________________________________