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.