GE

GE 15834 20-Watt CFL Soft White Light Bulb

4.3 (18 reviews)

Save energy with this 20-watt CFL spiral bulb that delivers 1,200 lumens of warm soft white light for up to 8,000 hours.

$12.15*
Check availability

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The GE 15834 is a 20-watt compact fluorescent spiral bulb engineered to deliver energy-efficient lighting for facilities and everyday applications. Producing 1,200 initial lumens at a warm 2,700 Kelvin color temperature, it outputs a soft white glow comparable to a traditional 75-watt incandescent bulb while consuming roughly 73% less electricity. The self-ballasted T3 spiral design screws directly into any standard medium-base socket, requiring no external ballast or adapter, which makes it a straightforward drop-in replacement in a wide range of fixtures.

With a rated life of 8,000 hours, the GE 15834 significantly outlasts standard incandescent bulbs, reducing maintenance and replacement costs in high-turnover lighting environments. It operates on standard 120-volt input drawing 0.3 amps, and its compact spiral form factor fits comfortably in both open and enclosed fixtures. Over its lifetime, mean lumens settle to 965, which is a normal characteristic of CFL technology as phosphor coatings gradually age. For facilities managers and cost-conscious buyers, this bulb represents a proven, reliable lighting solution, though those prioritizing the latest in efficiency and longevity may wish to consider LED alternatives as well.

Key Features

20-Watt Light Bulb

Rated Life of 8,000-Hours

CFL Self-Ballasted Spiral Soft White Spiral T3 - Facilities Light Bulb

GE for every application

FLE20HT3/2/827

Specifications

Brand
GE
Model
15834 (FLE20HT3/2/827)
Type
CFL Self-Ballasted Spiral (T3)
Wattage
20 Watts
Color Temperature
2,700 K (Soft White)
Initial Lumens
1,200
Mean Lumens
965
Input Voltage
120 V
Input Current
0.3 A
Rated Life
8,000 Hours

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Uses only 20 watts to produce 1,200 lumens, offering significant energy savings over incandescent bulbs
  • 8,000-hour rated life reduces the frequency of bulb replacements
  • Soft white 2,700K color temperature provides a warm, comfortable light
  • Self-ballasted spiral design fits standard medium-base sockets with no adapter needed
  • Compact T3 spiral form factor fits in most enclosed and open fixtures

👎 Cons

  • CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and require special disposal
  • Takes a brief warm-up period to reach full brightness unlike instant-on LED alternatives
  • Mean lumens drop to 965 over the bulb's life, representing a roughly 20% brightness decline
  • Not dimmable with standard dimmer switches
  • LED technology has largely surpassed CFL in efficiency and lifespan

Frequently Asked Questions

At 1,200 initial lumens, this 20-watt CFL produces roughly the same light output as a traditional 75-watt incandescent bulb while using significantly less energy.
It produces a soft white light at 2,700 Kelvin, which gives a warm, yellowish glow similar to traditional incandescent bulbs — ideal for general-purpose and facility lighting.
CFL spiral bulbs are generally not compatible with standard dimmer switches unless specifically labeled as dimmable. This model does not indicate dimmer compatibility.
The GE 15834 is rated for 8,000 hours of use. Based on average usage of about 3 hours per day, that translates to roughly 7 years of service.
It uses a standard medium (E26) self-ballasted base, making it a direct screw-in replacement in most standard household and facility light fixtures.