Lighting & Daylighting

Definition
Compact fluorescent lights that can operate outdoors at cold temperatures.

Building Use highrise office lowrise office highrise apartment lowrise apartment retail food service institutional arena

Building Type new retrofit Development Status mature technology

Description
Many fluorescent lamps are not suitable for outdoor applications. At cold temperatures (below 4°C or 40°F), the ballast (in particular, magnetic ballasts) may not be able to start the lamp.

Most cold-temperature compact fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts can operate properly down to -29°C (-20°F) provided they are installed in an enclosed fixture. Below this temperature, the lamp may still operate but the light will flicker and have reduced lifetime. The light output is reduced at cold temperatures. However, if the lamp is in an enclosed fixture, the heat from the lamp will warm the fixture and the light output will rise to normal levels.

Normal compact fluorescent lamps are limited in size to 26W and 1800 lumens; long tube lamps with higher output are available although they may be difficult to install in an enclosed fixture. Compact fluorescents have a rated life of 10,000 hours.

Information Sources
Energy Efficient Lighting Product Knowledge Guide,
Canadian Electrical Association
1155 rue Metcalfe
Bureau 1120
Montreal PQ
Canada H3B 2V6
tel 1 514 937 6181
fax 1 514 866 1880

Benefits increases energy efficiency operates in all climates

Limitations limited light output less efficient than low-pressure sodium lighting reduced performance below -29°C

Application
Cold-temperature compact fluorescent lighting is best used for accent, walkway or low-level security lighting. One type of security lighting combines a compact fluorescent lamp with a motion sensor. Compact fluorescent lamps are not suitable for high outdoor lighting requirements such as parking lots. Low-pressure sodium lamps or high-intensity discharge lamps should be used in these applications.

Experience
Compact fluorescent lamps operate well in cold climates (under the conditions noted previously). In some cases, the rated lifetime has not been achieved; this may be due to constant cycling (on-off) of the lamps.

Cost
The cost of a 26W compact fluorescent lamp (with ballast) is approximately C$30. The price for enclosed fixtures will vary with the type and style chosen.

Example Manufacturers
Osram Sylvania Ltd.
2001 Drew Rd.
Mississauga ON
Canada  L5S 1S4
tel 1 905 673 6171
fax 1 905 673 1413
http://www.sylvania.com/