How to Select Energy Saving Light Bulbs?

The advancement in lighting technologies now means that there are a spectrum of energy saving light bulbs available to purchase which can make it difficult to decide which ones are right for your application. There are halogen, CFL and LED bulbs which all utilise distinct technologies that give the light bulbs intrinsic characteristics and energy saving properties. Here I will disclose a high level overview of the technologies that should assist you in making the correct choice for your lighting scheme.

Halogen Light Bulbs

Halogen bulbs are essentially a high technology version of the early incandescent filament light bulb. The incandescent technology was actually invented by Thomas Edison in 1879. High efficiency halogens will generally save approximately 30% in electricity costs and have the additional advantage that they are generally dimmable. Furthermore, halogen units employ miniature technology which means they can be built small and with gratifying aesthetics.

CFL Bulbs

Compact Fluorescent Lamp- CFL energy saving light bulbs which use a miniaturised type of the fluorescent tube technology are especially efficient saving in excess of 75% in electricity costs. Modern CFL units shouldn’t suffer from the dullness and flickering difficulties that were intrinsic in the first CFL’s that hit the market. The big drawback of the CFL is the looks but modern spirals have enhanced the looks and the globes can look most desirable.

LED Bulbs

LED are the favoured type of energy saving light bulbs. The LED gives a monstrous efficiency saving of around 90% when contrasted to orthodox light bulbs. Also LED’s have an especially long life and their particularly low energy consumption means that CO2 emissions are minimised making the LED the ideal green choice. The final facet is the visual impression because LED’s have a high technology look which it is important to accommodate as part of the interior lighting scheme.

Conclusions

Your final choice will undoubtedly be a balance of performance, efficiency, aesthetics, commercials and the level of importance attributed to the environment for your specific application. Also with the technology moving so fast, particularly in the LED area then you need to keep abreast of the market. For example the LED bulbs which have only been on the market for a few years and were traditionally quite dim are now being manufactured in high power units so that a 3W candle bulb which is equivalent to a 25W conventional unit can now be acquired at a good price. So take some time to review your needs against these points and get illuminated in an environmental manner.