Yes!

A CFL includes a lamp and ballast while an incandescent bulb does not include a ballast. While many CFLs in the market are larger than their incandescent equivalent bulbs, Lightingandceilingfans.com carries some of the smallest CFLs in the market. We also carry the truest globe and reflector shaped CFLs.

No, primarily due to electronic interference between the ballast of the CFL and the dimmers or electronic timers. Dimmers and electronic timers often allow the CFL to dim to such a low level that allows voltage to "leak" into the ballast which can cause many problems including drastically reduced life of the CFL. There are some "dimmable" CFLs in the market - however, they are only partially dimmable and may heavily depend on the type and quality of dimmer used.

View Our Fluorescent Light Products

No. In an enclosed fixture where there is no air ventilation or flow, heat build up from the CFL will add to the wear and tear of the ballast affecting its life expectancy.

Absolutely, as long as the CFL is not directly exposed to rain or snow. Temperatures below -14 degrees Fahrenheit may slow or reduce the CFL's ability to start up properly and get to full brightness in some situations.

CFLs below 15 watts use liquid mercury as a self cooling agent. When you turn the lamp on, the liquid mercury travels through the lamp's tube and the lamp is instantly on. However, in higher wattages, a solid version of mercury called amalgam is used as the cooling agent. Amalgam, which is designed to handle greater amounts of heat, takes longer than its liquid counterpart to spread through the lamp, thereby creating a delay in the reaching the CFLs full brightness.