A series that runs every Tuesday, where I ask questions unrelated to the environment, fair trade, or local politics that I’ve been wondering about but haven’t been able to google the answers to. Any advice is appreciated.
A confession: A few days ago, I bought a non-CFL bulb. In fact, I bought 2 cuz they came in a 2-pack.
The reason: I needed a special bulb for my new IKEA lamp. I got this lamp specifically because I needed a general lamp to light up the room when I walked in the door, and also cuz I needed a smaller, reading light so I can snuggle up on the couch while reading Freud.
So I got the nice lamp to the right. But while the general lamp conveniently takes “normal” lightbulbs — and thus has a “normal” CFL bulb screwed in now — the little lamp does not. It needs a special small bulb.
To try and find a CFL one that would fit, I did all manner of research on lightbulbs. Now, what I know is that I need a globe-shaped bulb with a candelabra base that’ll emit 40W of light.
As far as I can tell, there aren’t any CFLs that meet these criteria. I even went to Environmental Defense’s handy “Find a Bulb” feature, plugged in my variables, and got this message: “0 light bulbs meet your criteria.”
Anyone know of a magical place where globe-shaped, candelabra-base, 40W CFL bulbs exist?
Update, 1/10/06: Solution found! Thanks all you wonderful people for offering suggestions! I’ve found a workable CFL bulb for a mere $6.95, and will report back once I get it in the mail –
Update, 2/19/08: That $6.95 bulb didn’t work out, but an Ikea bulb did.
Ikea.
At the store, Ikea has a great selection of CFLs, including these nifty ones with plastic casing that diffuses the light.
For some horrible reason they don’t list these on their website, but I know they’re there. I have them. In my Ikea lights…
They even come in cool colors like red, blue, and yellow…
Comment by Cassandra — January 9, 2007 @ 10:24 am
what is a candelabra base?
a pic of the socket might help
if it looks like a pigs nose - round with two holes - it is a halogen lamp.
IKEA normally uses standard light bulb sockets - wide or narrow. i think they have started to use LEDs as well, but i dont it is the case this time.
I found the FINAL on IKEA website:
Halogen E27 Max 150W
Bulb E14 Max 40W
Comment by Johan — January 9, 2007 @ 10:28 am
It does raise the point that availability of eco-friendly lightbulbs should be part of the lamp-buying decision…
Comment by don hosek — January 9, 2007 @ 10:38 am
I think Ikea has little CFLs.
Word of caution:
CFL bulbs contain mercury, while traditional bulbs don’t. If you use a CFL, be responsible when disposing them (contact your local govt). Otherwise, you’re probably doing more harm than if you used a conventional bulb.
Comment by Rafi — January 9, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
I have a similar IKEA lamp which has the same problem. The small light bulb is a European size which is generally not available in the US (except at IKEA stores of course). So you might be able to find a suitable CFL from some European website, but I doubt you’ll find one locally.
Comment by Tim Buchheim — January 9, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
I tried looking for lightbulbs at IKEA, but I specifically didn’t buy ‘em there b/c they only had non-CFL bulbs in the size I needed. I couldn’t find a CFL one in the size I needed, and I thought I’d be able to find one elsewhere –
A candelabra base looks like a regular screw-in lightbulb, except it’s like a third of the regular size.
don — Too true about considering the bulb in the lamp-buying decision! If only I’d thought of this before buying the lamp!
Rafi — We have hazardous waste drop-offs all over SoCal (though we could really use more of them, with better hours) for used CFLs. The main issue is getting the word out about this so that people know they’re there and USE them!
Now I feel like IKEA should put like a lil warning tag or something on their lamps with hard-to-find bulbs. WARNING! No CFL lightbulbs avaliable for this lamp! :P
Comment by Siel — January 9, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
This site seems to sell a lot of bulb types. http://www.lampco.co.uk/results.asp?method=browsecat&type=Energy+Saver
If you could get LED lamps they would be better
Comment by simon — January 10, 2007 @ 1:44 am
the smaller screw bulb fittings are very common in Europe so I am surprised that IKEA did not have such low energy bulbs available. any hardware store or supermarket would low energy bulbs of both normal and small size.
if you worried about the environmental impact i guess the halogen bulb is the big problem because it is so inefficient in delivering light compared to CFLs.
Comment by Johan — January 10, 2007 @ 1:49 am
does it have to be globe shaped?
found one “conical” on Environmental Defefence
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=634&campaign=mts&bulbID=34
It E12 base. I do not know what is difference between E14 (as stated on IKEA.se) and E12 …
Comment by Johan — January 10, 2007 @ 5:44 am
search using “E12 compact fluorescent” on
http://www.servicelighting.com/ or
http://www.okelectricsupply.com/nsearch.html
plenty of choices :-)
Comment by Johan — January 10, 2007 @ 5:50 am
You should call Ikea to ask and leave feedback! :)
Comment by Jasmin — January 10, 2007 @ 7:27 am
Hey Johan — The problem with the conical bulb is that it only emits about 16w of light — not bright enough for reading :( The shape’s not important, but wattage is. And simon — I wasn’t sure ’bout ordering from Lamp Company cuz the bulb would be shipping from so far away –
However, you guys are AWESOME! I found some bulbs — they meet all criteria, aside from the globe part, which as I said, isn’t so important. Service Lighting has not just 1, but 2 options! (basically, they’re the same — one’s a lil brighter than the other). They are a bit expensive, however, at $25.30. Oke Electric Supply has 1 “torpedo” shaped one that’ll work — on sale for $6.95! I’ll try that one first, see how I like it.
Thanks everyone for helping! And now, I know where to point anyone who’s trying to replace a small IKEA bulb!
Comment by Siel — January 10, 2007 @ 9:37 am