If you still have any of the traditional incandescent light bulbs in your home, you might want to take a picture of them, since they are no longer being manufactured. The old bulbs required a great deal of energy to illuminate your home and over 90% of that energy was in the form of heat. With new lighting standards in place since 2012 you have more options for the types of bulbs you can use to light your home. Continue reading this week’s blog to find out the difference between incandescent halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps and LEDs.
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
LED’s can last up to 25 times longer than the old incandescent bulbs and use 25% percent of the energy compared to halogen bulbs. The LEDs essentially turn electricity into light using semiconductors. They are more expensive than halogen and compact fluorescent light bulbs, but their lifespan is far greater than the two. The good news is that the cost of LED bulbs is expected to come down as the technology advances.
Halogen Incandescent Light Bulbs
In the past the main concern with halogen light bulbs was that they didn’t meet the federal minimum energy efficiency requirements; however, they too have advanced. Halogen light bulbs on the market now have a variety of shapes, colours and have dimmer capabilities.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
CFL’s ultimately are the curled and twisted version of the long fluorescent tubes you’re used to seeing. The CFLs use a quarter of the energy and have a life span 10 times greater than that of the old incandescent bulb and produce the same amount of illumination. If you require dimmer capabilities for your room, you have to double check the CFL your purchasing, since not all of them have that function. It’s also important to note that CFLs contain small levels of mercury and need to be recycled when they reach the end of their lifecycle.
It doesn’t matter if we’re in a slow economy or not, it’s always smart to save money with your energy bills! Use the information in this blog to help decide on what type of bulb to use to light up your home. For more information on lighting solutions for your home or business, contact us at Fluorescent Man Lighting in Calgary today at 403-863-8529.
