Indoor Lighting

Replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescents

It's a good idea to replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent's (CFLs). When doing so, the proper ratio is about 3 1/2% incandescent watts to 1 compact fluorescent watt. There may be an aesthetic problem with replacing incandescent lamps with CFLs in "can" fixtures because these fixtures are not designed for CFLs. The lamps often protrude from the bottom of the fixture and the light distribution from the fixture is poor because its optical characteristics suit an incandescent lamp. Another approach: retrofit with a specially designed reflector and lamp holder that maximizes the optics of the CFL and has a more pleasing appearance.