Are Compact Fluorescent Lamps Dimmable?

Energy efficient or Energy Star Rated lighting are becoming more and more popular.  The main problem I have run into with people wanting to convert there light sources to a more energy efficient source is that they think compact fluorescent lamps are not dimmable.  Fluorescent lamps are dimmable with a special dimming ballast and fluorescent dimming control. 

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are Dimmable

Dimmable ballasts have been available for fluorescent tubes for years it is only recently that dimmable fluorescent ballasts have become available for CFLs.  These dimmable CFLs make it very easy for anyone to save energy with there existing lighting.  Sylvania makes a dimmable CFL that can retro fit almost any application.  Minka-Lavery Outdoor just came out with a full Energy Star and Dark Sky rated outdoor lighting line. 

The following are dimmable CFLs and what type of incandescent lamp they would replace.

• Mini Spiral or standard spiral CFL replaces the standard appliance A bulb
• R30 & R40 CFL replace the R30 & R40 incandescent reflectors

What are the savings to make my lighting more efficient?

The R30 dimmable CFL can retrofit into most 6" aperature recessed downlight fixtures providing dimmable light at at least a 40% energy savings.  The intial cost of the CFL is usually $ 14 to $ 19 dollars compared to $ 1.50 to $ 3.00 for the incandescent lamp.  The energy consumption of this one CFL should be about 124.8 kWh/yr at an average cost of .07 cents per kWh that is about $ 8.74 a year.  The Incandescent costs about $ 13.00 per year to run.  The CFL has an average lamp life of 10,000 hours while the incandescent lamp only has 1,000 to 2,000 hours. 

With in two years you will have saved a few dollars in energy costs,  will still not have to drive up to the store to buy bulbs or change the lamp for another two years.  Using CFLs also create less of a need for the manufacturing of lamps reducing the cunsomption of raw materials used to create the lamps. 

A great article to read in more detail is dimmable compact fluorescent fact sheet by Washington State University.