Best Light Bulbs
Best Light Bulbs: Light Bulbs: What to Look For
When choosing between incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs for your home lighting needs, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. While it is true that compact fluorescent bulbs are overall more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs are, they are also more expensive; whether or not their initial cost is balanced out by their overall savings depends upon how long each individual bulb lasts.
The lifetime expectancies printed on bulb packaging are averages only, and even then only apply under ideal conditions. Many consumers have complained that compact fluorescent light bulbs rarely last as long as they’re supposed to. However, since incandescent bulbs are rated for about 1,000 hours and compact fluorescent bulbs are rated for about 10,000 hours, even compact fluorescent bulbs which last only half of their expected life span are more energy-efficient (and thus cost-effective) in the long-term than incandescent bulbs are. Since compact fluorescent light bulbs have come down significantly in price over the past few years, it is likely – though not guaranteed – that using these bulbs will save you money.
To ensure the maximum efficiency of compact fluorescent bulbs (and thus save the most money), it is important to use them in the proper light fixtures, keep them on for at least fifteen minutes at a time, and to exchange any defective bulbs without paying return shipping. It is also worth remembering that these bulbs will be mandatorily phased out in 2012, so take that into consideration when replacing your incandescent lighting.
When shopping for compact fluorescent bulbs, be sure to pay attention to the color temperature. With the exception of halogen bulbs, each type of light bulb is available in various color temperatures, usually measured in degrees Kelvin. Lighting options generally range between a warm 2,700K to a bluish-white 5,000K.
When considering various bulb options, pay attention to lumens, not wattage. Lumen measures overall light output, which is what you really need to consider when purchasing a bulb.
Finally, consider the warranty. Warranties can vary between stores and manufactures, so be sure to read the labels before purchasing.
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Types of Light Bulbs
In general, there are five different types of light bulbs available: Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), Fluorescent Bulbs, High-Intensity Discharge Lamps, Low-Pressure Sodium Lamps, and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Knowing the differences between them can help you decide which bulb best suits your lighting needs.
Incandescent bulbs are the most common for household needs and are, typically, the most inexpensive lighting option. Incandescent bulbs produce a warm and steady light that compliments skin tones, can be used with a dimmer, and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. However, they are not the most energy-efficient of bulbs, lasting on average between 700 and 1,000 hours.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), on the other hand, are the most energy-efficient bulb available. Capable of lasting up to 10,000 hours, these bulbs use 67% less energy than incandescent bulbs do. CFLs typically come as short glass sticks or small tubular loops. This type of bulb tends to be more expensive than its more ordinary counterpart, though their energy-efficiency may end up saving you money in the long run. Also, it is important to note that CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and cannot be disposed of in the trash can along with your regular waste like other bulbs can.
Fluorescent bulbs generally produce more light per watt and last longer than incandescent bulbs do. These bulbs are your best bet if you have a large space to light. However, their linear design makes them difficult to coordinate with most home décor.
High-Density Discharge Lamps (HIDs) produce even more light per watt than fluorescent bulbs do, though their unique design requires a special sort of fixture. Housed inside a specially designed glass tube, HIDs employ a combination of gas and metals to ignite, striking an electrical arc across tungsten electrodes. Additional equipment, such as ballasts and starts, is necessary to operate this type of bulb.
Low-Pressure Sodium Lamps have the highest efficiency of all commercially available bulbs, though as with HIDs, they require a ballast to ignite. These bulbs operate much in the same way as fluorescent bulbs do, requiring a brief warm-up period to reach their full brightness. Low-Pressure Sodium Lamps are typically used for outdoor, roadway, parking lot, and pathway lighting, where color is unimportant but energy-efficiency is a primary concern.
Finally, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), lacking a filament, require minimal power to function and have a long life-span. However, they lack the output necessary to compete with incandescent bulbs as primary household lighting.
Categories: Types of Light Bulbs Tags: Fluorescent Bulbs, Types of Light Bulbs