CFL Question

I have a 2700K 23W (100W) equivalent CFL bulb that I have running off of a 60W output lamp socket, is this the reason for the CFL being as hot as an incandescant bulb or hot to the touch? It will heat up my grow space tremendously if I do not have my fan running at all times. My 20W fluorescent tube can be on constantly and not change temperatures at all. NOTE: The fluorescent tube is of the blue spectrum and the CFL is of the red spectrum.

Your CFLs pulls a load of 23W of current from its source via your socket. If your socket is rated to 60w then your socket can handle the load plus a splitter if you wanted.

The heat changes may be from the different spectrum and it may be from the bulb itself. The fluorescent tube disperses 20w which is what 14% less than the 23w over the span of that length of tube. The bulb is refined heat in that location only, as the coils wrap on themselves.

So if you are doing what I am guessing is that the cfl is right above the plant then yes your temperature readings will be greater at that source of light than 6 inches from it.