How to Pick the Best Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

There's something about compact fluorescent (orare rendered is measured by what's called the
CFL) bulbs and the light they put out. The lightColor Rendering Index (CRI). A score of 100
looks different from what we're used to withdenotes incandescent light that perfectly renders
energy-wasting incandescent bulbs. Why is that?color.
And is there a CFL that comes close to the lightThe issue with CFL's is that their CRI falls short
quality of incandescents?of incandescents. They generally have a CRI
There are two ways to describe indoor light: itsscore of around 70. That causes skin color,
color temperature and how it renders color onclothes, and other things around the lamp to not
other objects.look quite as vivid, hence the difference in light
Color temperature is easy to describe. As anquality we see.
example, look at an incandescent lamp, and thenHowever, not all CFL's are alike and some
look at an overhead fluorescent tube. The lamp'sdefinitely render color better than others. Which
light is warm, yellowish and cozy, like a candle orone is the best?
a fireplace. The fluorescent tube's light is colderI have tried many CFL bulbs--I'm picky and the
and bluer in quality, more like daylight. Colorlight quality of most CFL's bothers me. After
temperature is measured in kelvins--the higher themany tests with bulbs from different companies I
value the cooler the light. So 2700K-3000K iscan say there is one unqualified winner: the
considered "warm white" when you see that termN:Vision compact fluorescent light bulbs sold at
on CFL packs, and 4100K+ is "cool white." ForHome Depot. They come in several color
indoor use you definitely want "warm white," andtemperatures, but you want the "warm white"
if the pack lists the kelvin value then the lowerones in the green packaging for indoor use. They
the better.have a CRI of around 82, far superior to most
The second factor is a bit harder toother bulbs. Their light is bright and warm, and I
quantify--basically it speaks to how richly colors onhave even come to prefer them over
an object look when you shine a light on them.incandescents for general lighting.
Think of how different your skin and clothes lookIt's important to switch to CFL light bulbs since
under an incandescent lamp and an outdoor streetthey use far less energy. Now we can do so
light. Under the first, your skin tone and clotheswithout sacrificing most of the light quality we
look vivid and full of life; under the second, theyexpect indoors. Try out the N:Vision CFL bulbs and
look pale and dead. This difference in how objectsI think you'll agree.