Comparing Light Bulb Types - Incandescent, Halogen, and Compact Fluorescent Lamps

!±8± Comparing Light Bulb Types - Incandescent, Halogen, and Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Incandescent Bulb

The fat bulbs that most of us have been using for general lighting in bedrooms since childhood are known as incandescent light bulbs. These lamps have been the standard for a long time due to the natural, warm light they produce and their undeniable low price. These bulbs are also very easy to put on a dimmer control in comparison to other lamp types.

The main problem with incandescent bulbs is that they consume two to three times more energy than the alternatives. This coupled with a much shorter lifespan (up to 1,500 hours) than its competitors makes incandescent bulbs an expensive option. This has led to a worldwide movement to ban their use before 2014 for the sake of energy. Some countries, including those in the European Union, have already begun this ban.

Halogen Bulb

Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent lamp that produce an intense light with higher color temperatures than non-halogen incandescent lamps. Halogens are most often used in track lighting systems, ultramodern light fixtures, and, believe it or not, headlights. The intensity of the light makes halogen lamps a good choice for task lighting. Halogen light bulbs tend to initially cost more than non-halogen incandescent bulbs but make up for the difference with a longer lifespan (2,000 to 2,500 hours) and higher energy efficiency.

The trouble with halogen bulbs lies in the fact that they produce a lot of heat. This makes halogen lamps a bad choice for workspaces in close proximity to a halogen lamp or for children's rooms due to safety issues. Note that you should never touch a halogen lamp with bare hands or leave flammable materials nearby. It is best not to leave with these lamps on for an extended period without someone close at hand.

Fluorescent Bulb

You more than likely associate fluorescent lamps with the long fixtures found in kitchens, laundry rooms, and garages. The fact is that fluorescent lamps comes in many different shapes and sizes and can be used for diverse purposes and in various light fixtures. Fluorescent lamps produce a large amount of white light that reveals detail without producing excess heat. This together with a low operating cost makes fluorescent bulbs a ideal choice for work areas. The lamps themselves tend to cost more than both incandescent and halogen bulbs since a ballast is required for the function of a lamp. However, fluorescent lamps last ten to twenty times longer (up to 25,000 hours) than incandescent lamps and is the most energy efficient of these three types, though the life of fluorescent bulbs may lessen if it is turned on and off frequently. Note that the life of a fluorescent bulb should be indicated on the packaging.

One downfall for the fluorescent lamp is that it produces a very white light that does not seem as natural or warm as an incandescent bulb. This light has also been connected with the fading of paintings since it contains a high amount of UV rays. You may also notice that the bulbs become dimmer towards the end of their life and may not turn on in extremely cold temperatures. Fluorescent bulbs have also been accused of being harmful to the environment due to the mercury and phosphor materials contained inside. Because of this used fluorescent lamps typically cannot be disposed of as regular trash. The disposal procedure is usually regulated by local government agencies.

Compact Fluorescent Bulb (CFL)

This type of fluorescent bulb has been offered as a replacement for the incandescent bulbs that may be banned by 2014. They are closer to incandescent bulbs in size but retain the energy saving properties.The two most common shapes are U-shaped and spiral. Recent developments have also led to a light that is more natural and similar to the light produced by incandescent bulbs.

Making the Switch to CFL Bulbs

There are a few things that you should consider when converting to compact fluorescents.

Size

Though smaller than standard fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent bulbs are nevertheless larger than incandescent bulbs. It is important to consider this since a compact fluorescent bulb might be to large for some of your fixtures.

Wattage

A fluorescent lamp produces five times more light than an incandescent of the same wattage. So if you are using a 100-watt incandescent lamp to light a room, a 20-watt compact fluorescent will produce roughly the same amount of light.

Light Temperature

The light produced by fluorescent bulbs typically has a bluish white quality that may not seem as natural as light from incandescents. You can get an idea of the color by taking a look at the color temperature indicated on the package. Light from an incandescent bulb typically has a color temperature of 2,700 K, so if you want a more natural light, you should purchase a compact fluorescent lamp of that same temperature. Bulbs with a temperature of 3,000 K to 3,500 K produce a neutral white light. Anything above 4,000 K will be closer to daylight.

In Conclusion...

There are actually many more types of light bulbs than the three described here. However these are the most popular for interior lighting. Less common types include LED (light emitting diode) and HID (high intensity discharge). Choosing the right light bulb is all in all a matter of preference and savings. Well, that goes for all but the ill-fated incandescent bulb...

Comparing Light Bulb Types - Incandescent, Halogen, and Compact Fluorescent Lamps

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A Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Saves You Money

!±8± A Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Saves You Money

In case you hadn't noticed, the "Green Movement" is taking hold. More and more people are realizing that we, as individuals, need to do something about pollution, and we need to start now.

The problem is that with all the media hype, most people think it's too hard a job to go green. In truth, there are literally thousands of easy ways to go green. One of the most cost efficient and easiest ways to go green is to switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's).

History of Early Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Not many people realize that fluorescent light bulbs have been around since the 1800's. In the 1970's, General Electric improved the design, but found it was too expensive to build factories to mass produce the bulbs. The use of these bulbs was generally limited to office buildings, garages and under the kitchen cabinets.

In addition, the light they gave off was not of the quality we expected from an incandescent light bulb. The shape also restricted their use to a fixture that would allow the use of a long tubular bulb. They could not be easily used in table lamps, desk lamps or floor lamps.

Another factor that limited their use was that they often flickered and made an annoying humming noise.

In recent years, all that has changed. Improvements in the bulbs, especially with the development of the electronic ballast, have eliminated most of the negative features that made them less popular in the past.

The Pros of Compact Fluorescent Lamp, (CFL'S)

Listed here are some of the positive reasons to switch to CFL's:

1. CFL's now are shaped to fit nearly all our light fixtures.

2. The light they give off is comparable to traditional light bulbs.

3. They use 75-80% less electricity then traditional light bulbs.

4. A 60w standard bulb can be replaced with a 13-15w CFL Bulb to give the same amount of light.

5. The CFL bulbs last ten times longer. The average life of a CFL is 10,000 hours compared to less than 1,000 hours for a standard bulb.

6. It is estimated that using one CFL bulb will keep one half a ton of carbon dioxide from being dumped into the atmosphere over the life of that bulb.

7. The CFL bulb is less hot to touch, so is easier to change if it had been lit.

8. There will be eight less incandescent light bulbs that find their way into landfills if CFL's are used.

9. CFL's now come in many designs and can be used for many different applications.

10. The installation of CFL's can earn a discount with some utility companies.

The Cons of Modern Compact Fluorescent Bulbs, (CFL'S)

As with anything, there are some negative features to these bulbs that should be taken into consideration when you decide to make the switch.

1. CFL's have a higher initial cost.

2. CFL's do not work well in places where the light is switched on and off frequently. This will reduce the life span of the bulb.

3. Not all CFL' can be used with dimmer switches. Special bulbs are required for this application. Again the life of the bulb will be shortened.

4. Some timer mechanisms are incompatible with CFL's.

5. Not all bulbs are suitable for outdoor use. Low temperatures may reduce light levels.

6. CFL's contain a small amount of mercury which is toxic. Mercury vapor can be released if the bulb is broken.

7. Bulbs of inferior quality are showing up on the store shelves and may not be of high quality and will not last as long.

Despite the negatives, CFL's have become extremely popular in the last several years.

Benefits of CFL's

Replacing one 60 watt standard bulb with a 15-w CFL will save you more than in electricity costs over the life of the bulb if you use it 6 hours a day. Add to that less trips to the store, and less money spent on replacement bulbs, the savings are significant.

Multiply that times the number of light bulbs you have in your home and you could realize a significant savings in both money and energy consumption.

Some states require that burned out CFL's be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility (the preferred method of disposal) while most municipalities allow them to be disposed of in regular trash. CFL's can easily be recycled at stores such as Home Depot and Ikea.

CFL's do contain a small amount of mercury and opponents to these bulb cite that as a major drawback. One should just remember to never incinerate these type bulbs. This will disperse the mercury into the atmosphere.

Conclusion

The benefits of CFL's have become evident in terms of the amount of energy saved and the amount of green house gasses that are not being pumped into the atmosphere. If everyone in the US used CFL's we could retire 90 average size power plants.

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses, Australia and Canada have already banned the use of incandescent bulbs and the United States has passed legislation that is phasing out the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs and will ban them entirely by the year 2012.

Replacing energy-hogging incandescent bulbs with energy-saving fluorescents (CFLs) is a simple, effective way to slow the rate of global climate change while saving money. It's good for the environment, it's economical, it's efficient, and it's easy.

A Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Saves You Money

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