Product Description

GE, FLE20HXL/SW/CD, 20W, Mini Twist Compact Fluorescent Bulb, Electronic Ballast, Medium Base, Maximum Overall Length 5.3", 1170 Lumens, 6000 Hours, Kelvin Temperature = 2700°ree., Cri=80, Energy Star Qualified, Clamshell.FLE32HLX/2/D3/CD, 32W,120V, 3 Way, Compact Fluorescent Mini Spiral Lamp, 50/150 Incandescent Equivalent, 500/1400/2100 Lumens, 6000 Hour Life, MOL 6.4", Carded.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2780 in Home Improvement
• Size: 12-Watt
• Color: Soft white
• Brand: General Electric
• Model: 47448
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Features

• A smart way to save energy
• Application: 3-Way table lamps
• Base: medium screw (E26); Bulb type: T3; Watts: 12/23/2029
• Initial Lumens: 600/1600/2150
• Guaranteed to last 6 years based on 4 hours use per day at 120V.

From the Manufacturer
GE 12 Watt-23 Watt-29 Watt (50/150 Watt equivalent) Energy Smart Spiral 3-Way 6 Year Life Light Bulb. Specifically designed for 3-way lamps in your home or office, GE 3-way bulbs offer a range of light levels. Choose the low light setting for energy savings, higher settings for general and activity lighting. Choose the low light setting for energy savings, higher settings for general and activity lighting. Saves $121.00 in energy costs*. GE Energy Smart bulbs provide the same light as a Soft White bulb while using fewer watts. Application: 3-Way table lamps. Base: Medium screw (E26). Bulb Type: T3. Initial Lumens: 600/1600/2150. Guaranteed to last 6 years based on 4 hours use per day at 120V. Electricity cost savings based on rated life of 10,000 hrs compared to 8 150 watt A21 bulbs (rated life 1,200 hrs). Energy savings based on 10c per kilowatt hour. Reliable starting to -10oF(-23oC). Lamp requires a short warm up period to reach full brightness.

Customer Reviews

Larger than a standard incandescent bulb
Just want folks to be aware that these measure approximately 6.5" in length, or about an inch longer than a typical-sized incandescent bulb (like 60 or 100 W variety). I was interested in getting one of these to replace the 50/100/150 W incandescent bulb in my living room lamp (the tall, free-standing kind), but found it to be too long as it comes out of the top by about an inch. For now I am waiting for a company to come out with a CFL 50/100/150 equivalent that matches up in size better.

Nice warm light ...
If you're looking to move to more environmentally-friendly lighting, these are for you. These 3-way spiral fluorescent bulbs are wonderful. I haven't had mine long enough to address the extended lifespan. But they serve beautifully as a replacement for standard 3-way 50-100-150W incandescent bulbs.

The "color" of the light is very warm -- not at all like the greenish-bluish tone one usually associates with fluorescent light. It does take a few seconds for the full intensity of the light to develop at the 29W (150W-equivalent) level, so keep that in mind. It comes on fairly dim, then develops the bright light you expect in about 15 seconds or so.

I'm currently in grad school (an older "non-traditional" student), and I do a LOT of reading. I'd been going through standard 3-way bulbs about one every 3 months or so, so I was looking for a more economical solution. The claim for "7 year life" is based on 4 hours per day of use. I know I use mine a lot more than that (more like 18 hrs or so), so I don't expect 7 years. But if they last more than about 24 months, they'll pay for themselves.

Also, my local discount hardware store charges $22.99 apiece for the exact same bulb, so Amazon's price is a good deal.

UPDATE: It's now March 19, 2010, and I'm still using the SAME 3-way CFLs I wrote about above. One of them is in my living room, where it's in use on the highest setting from around 9:00am until around midnight nearly every day; another one is in the bedroom where it's on from around 5:00pm until around midnight. That's right -- these are the same bulbs I purchased in January 2008, and they're still going strong. They've MORE than paid for themselves. Maybe I lucked out or something (I've read some of the other reviews from folks who've had problems) -- but I'm definitely planning to continue using these, and will be replacing ALL light bulbs in my home with CFLs as the incandescent ones burn out.

3 way that saves money? Not so much...
I purchased these bulbs (3 of them at almost $15 a pop) to do my part and replace old incandescent 3 ways. All three worked well upon arrival. It has now been a little over 2 months and not one of the three works correctly. One bulb works when it feels like it...which is rarely- and that actually is a good thing. It's a weird flickering mess. Then the other two only turn on on the second click, so basically it is the equivalent of a one way regular bulb. These were a waste of money for sure. Since throwing them away would be wasteful, I guess I grin and bear it for the next few years...that is, if they lst that long. Probably not..hopefully??

There are better bulbs out there for the money.