catalogue > compact fluorescent FAQs

ORDERING HIGH EFFICACY (HIGH EFFICIENCY) FIXTURES

Most of our models can be built to satisfy California's energy code Title 24 (see below). To do so, we utilize high efficiency light sources (LED or CFL) and a GU-24 socket. In our showroom a versatile display allows us to model various light bulb and fixture combinations to see how they work together. If you're unable to visit in person, please call or email specific inquiries.

FAQ'S ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING

Bulb equivalency chart, approximations

LED/Fluorescent vs. Incandescent

13w LED/CFL = about 60w incandescent = about 800 lumens

18w CFL = about 75w incandescent = about 1100 lumens

26w CFL = about 100w incandescent = about 1600 lumens

Are Metro Lighting Fixtures LED?

The short answer is that's up to you! We are a versatile design+build manufacturer, so we will do our best to suit your needs. New LED light engines become available frequently, so there is a lot of technology at our disposal. An LED A-lamp is the best light engine for most of our existing fixtures, however, and details about those are below.

What are LEDs?

Light Emitting Diodes are like computer chips, but are designed to produce light when electricity passes through them. Most of the energy gets transformed into light, making them highly efficient. They can produce all colors of visible light, but we currently mostly use warm white light.

Why all the fuss?

Not only are LEDs highly efficient, but they also last a long time, and many are dimmable. Typical incandescents are rated for 2000 hours, compact fluorescents for 10,000 hours. LEDs are typically rated for 50,000 hours. Unlike CFLs that use a small amount of mercury vapor, LEDs are mercury free. The technology works well now, but it is still young, and will continue to improve. Most new lighting will be LED in the near future.

What are the specifications of the LED A-Lamp used by Metro?

We recommend the Definity A-Lamp from Lighting Science. It is dimmable, warm white (2700K), 800 lumens, has CRI rating of 85 (85/100 color rendition index), and 50,000 hour life. It is available in a screw-in standard base, or a GU-24 two-pin twist-lock base.

Are CFL's dimmable?

15 and 25 watt dimmable fluorescent bulbs are available and they perform fairly well. They are larger than non-dimming bulbs so it is important to check that they will fit into a fixture assembly with the chosen shade/s. We think the LED A-Lamp is a better product, but it isn't yet available in a 100 watt equivalent.

What is Title 24?

Title 24 is a CALIFORNIA energy code that requires 50% of the lighting WATTAGE in new kitchens to be energy efficient.

In new bathrooms, lighting needs to be energy efficient or controlled by an occupancy sensor.

Other new rooms are to be energy efficient or controlled by an occupancy sensor or dimmer.

Outdoor lighting is to be energy efficient or controlled by a light sensor/motion sensor combination.

What do you mean by "hard-wired?"

A "hard-wired" fixture can only accept LED or CFL bulbs. Screw-in bulbs are not an option.

What are "pin-style" bulbs?

To illuminate a "pin-style" bulb, its pins get inserted into a socket with corresponding holes.

Metro Lighting uses GU-24 "pin-style" bulb types on request. This light bulb base has two pins which get inserted into two key slots in the socket and then twisted to lock into place. The socket is very compact, and the socket/light bulb combination will fit into most of our fixtures.

What is "elective efficiency?"

If Title 24 does not apply to your project, but you want to be energy efficient, this is what we call "elective efficiency." You can use pin-style bulbs if you like, or you can choose standard incandescent sockets with screw-in LED or CFL bulbs.

What is "color temperature?"

Color temperature is a technical measure of visible light along a spectrum from red to blue. It is measured in degrees, Kelvin. Incandescent bulbs burn at about 2300 to 2800 degrees Kelvin. Our own shorthand would be 23K. LED and fluorescent bulbs come in an array of color choices, mostly 27K, 30K, etc, up to 60K. We predominantly carry 27K bulbs.

What is the "color rendition index?"

The CRI is a rating scale comparing a given light source to "perfect" light. Perfect light would be make colors look 100% accurate. Incandescent light is 100. Good CFL bulbs are in the mid to high 80's. The CRI rating of our LED bulbs is 85, our CFL bulbs are 84.

What is "full spectrum" lighting.

Full spectrum light simulates daylight. They tend to have a CRI of 90 or higher and a color temperature of 5000 Kelvin or higher. We can special-order these, but we currently only stock the warmer 27K and 30K bulbs.