How are energy efficient light bulbs better?

There are lots of choices in lighting. From traditional incandescent bulb to energy efficient light bulbs, those are halogen incandescent, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Those light bulbs are the most widely held light bulbs available. They can be found easily in popular hardware and home stores.

The first generation of light bulbs is halogen incandescents. Halogen incandescents are the traditional light bulbs which consist of gas around a filament. These types of light bulbs offer a wide range of colors and shapes and compatible with various timers and dimmers. These types of light bulbs are almost replaced since they less efficient compared to CFLs and LEDs.

Another type of light bulbs is Compact Fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which contain a small volume of mercury. So, we have to notice that at the end of their lifespan, they have to be reprocessed. We do not to be worried since there are so many retailers offering free recycle CFLs.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are the most innovative light bulbs recently because of they a kind of semiconductors that transform electricity into light. Since they are semiconductors, so that they are called as a type of solid-state lighting, and this is the why LEDs are less bulky. This innovative technology substituting the filament wire in a traditional incandescent bulb, and this is the reason why LEDs have a longer lifetime because there is no burnout filament. 

It is already known that energy efficient light bulbs perform much better than non-energy-efficient light bulbs. In general, energy efficiency means how much energy costs to generate something. In lighting point of view, energy efficiency is determined in lumens per watt, since lumens are a measure of brightness and watt is a measure of electricity. We can say that one bulb uses a quarter of the energy when it gets four as many lumens per watt as another bulb does the same job.

In terms of efficiency between various types of light bulbs, traditional incandescent bulbs are far away from efficient since they get about 15 lumens per watt, while halogen bulbs are better, about 20 lumens per watt. However, fluorescent light bulbs are the best when they get about 75 lumens per watt. It means that the efficiency is about five times of incandescent light bulbs and more than three times of halogen.

How is the recent light type, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)? The performances of LEDs are very amazing, which get 80 lumens per watt. In addition, this number is predicted to increase soon as the technology of LEDs is based on semiconductor which is dramatically developing as fast as computer processing rate.

From costs point of view, if you are changing incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs then you save costs by 80%, while if using LEDs you save 81% monthly bill of lightning. Since the portion of the lightning bill is only about 10% to 15% of the overall electricity bill, so all these saving contribute to a minor amount of monthly electricity invoice. Initial costs of LEDs are more expensive than incandescent light bulbs. However, in term of a lifetime, since LEDs lasts up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, so then, they will cut your expenses on electricity.

Recently, the colors and light levels of LEDs are available in a wide range which has come to your expectation. LEDs are also compatible with various controls such as timers and dimmers. By using timers, they reduce electricity consumption by turning off when lights are not in use. While dimmers can lower light levels so can save electricity consumption.

By replacing the traditional light bulb with CFLs or LEDs light bulbs, it prevents CO2 emissions which mean that we save our world from global warming. Switching one incandescent bulb, it is equal to reducing about half a ton of CO2 emissions. The emission of greenhouse gases comparable to that which generated from about eight hundred thousand cars might be prevented by every American replaced just one incandescent bulb.

Even though CFLs and LEDs are the most favorable type of energy-efficient light bulb, however, they have some drawbacks. There are some weaknesses that we need to consider before switching incandescent light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs.

One of the weaknesses is compatibility with a dimmer switch. Some CFLs are not well-suited with regular dimmer and timer switch. Dimmable CFLs are more expensive than regular CFLs. Another drawback is that regular CFLs are not suitable for high temperature and extreme humidity (like in bathroom steam).  These conditions might decrease the level of brightness and a rated lifetime. The special CFLs which are proper with these environments are costly.

The last but not least drawback of CFLs is that they contain up to 5 milligrams of mercury, a hazardous substance to fetuses and children. Although small numbers, this dangerous ingredient in CFL is still a concern, especially if the bulb is disposed of inappropriately then it releases into the environment. However, by using very careful recycling programs and cleanup methods, the use of CFLs still have lots of benefits.

To avoid the risk involved in CFLs, LEDs might be chosen as alternative light bulbs. LEDs do not contain mercury. However, the limitations of LEDs are the cost and field of light. LEDs are more expensive than CFLs, usually 5 – 10 times. In terms of field of light, LEDs generate converged light, rather than diverged light. For those restrictions, LEDs offer an only limited solution for lighting needs. Hopefully, by improving technology will overcome these limitations and may soon turn into the ideal choice of energy-efficient light bulbs.

In spite of concerns with the compatibility of dimmers, a field of light, humidity, purchasing costs and containing mercury, both CFLs and LEDs are more recommended than an incandescent bulb. Energy-efficient light bulbs are a fantastic option to save your money and our environment since they consume less energy and their long lifetime.

People say that it is hard being green, but we have to start from a little step. Now, it is our time to take a part in saving our world, use energy-efficient light bulbs.