So, yesterday I posted a process I might go through to replace a fixture in my home with something more energy efficient. However, it isn’t really what I would do in my own home because I like everything to be dimmed. That includes fluorescents.
A good number of fluorescent and compact fluorescents can be dimmed using dimming ballasts. That does NOT include the self-ballasted CFLs with the screw-in base that you find at the hardware store. GE has come out with a self-ballasted replacement CFL that can be dimmed, and I’m sure others either have or will have soon their own versions. However, these can only be dimmed about 50% before they just turn off. They aren’t worth it.
Instead, I would have to buy separate dimming ballasts and install them myself. I would also have to change out my dimmers to a special versions for fluorescent lighting or perhaps install an interface. Some fluorescent dimming is done using two-wire ballasts, which would be easier to install using existing wiring, but the better dimming is accomplished using three-wire ballasts, which requires a third connection between the dimmer or interface and the ballast.
Fluorescent dimming ballasts typical have a minimum power setting of 1%, 5%, or 10%. For residential use I always recommend using 1% ballasts. This is because reducing the power doesn’t look like the same amount of light reduction. If you dim fluorescents down to a 10% it looks like it has only been dimmed down to about 30%. This just isn’t low enough for use in homes. Instead, using a 1% ballast means the lighting will look like it has been reduced to about 10%.
