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Originally Posted by koudakat  First off, I appreciate tha info on CFLs, but I got a question about wattage. I've been on google all day trying find this out...does a 200 watt CFL use as much power as a 200 watt HID? Where I live people get caught because of their HID usage, and I don't want that...lol. thanks |
Usually a CFL package will give info such as” equivalent to 100 watts of incandescent light". That usually means, a 100 watt equivalent CFL will draw around 30 watts of power but shine as bright as a 100 watt incandescent bulb. Therefore, it depends on how the CFL wattage is being measured.
I can't imagine that 200 watts of anything would tip off the cops to what’s going on. Generally, the size of the residence is a key point they look at. If you are in an apt. and cooking 1000 watts of HID, then I would worry. But, for 200 watts and a couple of fans? I would not be concerned. Plus, you can always practice other energy saving techniques such as changing the household lights to all CFL, raising or lowering the thermometer, washing dishes by hand instead of w/dishwasher etc.