PV Project Thermography- PVRES Home (4/8/98)

Incandescent versus Compact Fluorescent

One of the many energy saving features of the PVRES house are the compact fluorescent light bulbs that were installed throughout the entire house. In addition to using considerably less energy than their incandescent counterparts, as the following IR photographs show, they also give off less heat. This leads to a lower overall cooling load.

A total of 30 compact fluorescent bulbs (donated by Panasonic Lighting, model EFG15E28) were installed in recessed cans in the PVRES house (as well as 6 exterior fluorescent bulbs). Typical of most new homes, the 30 recessed cans in the Control House use 65 or 75 watt PAR incandescents - we installed 15 watt fluorescent bulbs that provide about the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs.

Examining the IR photographs below, it is obvious that the 65 watt incandescent bulb emits more heat than the 15 watt fluorescent.

The temperature range is from 59°F (darkest colors) to 95°F (lightest colors).