Energy Efficient Lightbulb Options

Spiral-shaped compact fluorescent lightbulbs are some of the more recognizable energy efficient lightbulb options on the market.

One energy efficient lightbulb saves an average of $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb, drastically reducing home energy consumption.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use two-thirds less energy over incandescent light bulbs, making them an obvious cost-saving option.

With over 30 light fixtures in the average home, the potential for overall energy savings and utility bill reduction is considerable.

Conservation of natural resources has never been more important. With depletion of energy resources reaching epic magnitude, conservation of energy and preservation of the environment is essential. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if every household replaced just one regular incandescent light bulb with one compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), it would prevent ninety billion pounds of greenhouse gas omissions presently emitted into the atmosphere, the equivalent of taking over seven-million vehicles off the road.

Energy Efficient Light Bulb Options

A popular energy efficient light bulb option , compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL s) are available in a wide selection of sizes and styles for any given installation and application, commercial or residential. Presently, compact fluorescent light bulbs are available in the following configurations:

• Spiral - most commonly selected for home applications.
• Triple tube lamps - High light output. Used in table lamps, reading lamps and open lamp hanging lamps.
• Standard lamps - Resembling an incandescent light bulb with dome cover appearance. Produces a soft-white light that is pleasing and soothing.
• Globe lamps - Used in bathrooms vanity mirrors. Produces less heat with higher quality of lighting.
• Flood lamps - Designed for track lighting for indoor and outdoor applications.
• Candelabra - Used in chandeliers and wall sconce lighting. Produces high quality up-lighting which may or may not be controlled by dimmer switches for increased ambiance.

Lighting accounts for approximately 25% of energy consumption in the average home. With energy savings of $36.00 per bulb over the life of the bulb, compact fluorescent light bulbs last 500 to 2,000 hours longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs, consuming 50-80% less energy. Guaranteed to last up to 8,000 hours, compact fluorescent light bulbs generate 70% less heat, which saves additional cooling costs in homes and offices. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, replacing incandescent light bulbs in the home or office with compact fluorescent light bulbs would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes worldwide.

Energy Efficient Light Bulb Benefits

CFLs offer the following numerous benefits over traditional incandescent light bulbs:

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs last up to ten times longer than conventional incandescent light bulbs. A 22 watt, compact fluorescent light bulb is equal to a 100 watt incandescent light bulb consuming 80% less energy.
• Initially more expensive, compact fluorescent light bulbs use 1/3 the energy to produce the same lighting lumens and quality.
• Replacing one incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent light bulb eliminates ½ ton of CO2 gasses from the atmosphere.
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs produce a warm, inviting lighting atmosphere with high quality lighting.
• With unlimited applications and uses, compact fluorescent light bulbs can be substituted for outdated incandescent light bulbs in a matter of a few minutes, requiring no special tools or skills.

Energy Efficient Light Bulb Costs

Today’s energy-efficient lightbulbs cast the same warm glow as incandescent but with far greater savings on the utility bill.

Initial energy efficient light bulb costs typically range from three to six-dollars ($3-$6.00) each, depending on wattage output and application. Traditional incandescent light bulbs often need replacing once a month, with an approximate cost of twelve-dollars ($12.00) per year. With the initial cost of energy efficient light bulbs averaging three-dollars ($3.00) each and the bulb lasting six-times longer than traditional conventional incandescent light bulbs, energy efficient light bulbs pay for themselves in a relatively short period of time.

New Lighting Technology

LED (Light Emitting Diodes) are the next generation in home lighting. Destined to become the future standard for most lighting needs, LED s are currently being used in commercial applications by large automobile manufacturers due to high- quality lighting output in turn signal and break light applications. LED s are clusters of over one-hundred and eighty (180) miniature light bulbs combined into a single energy efficient light bulb with benefits that surpass even the most efficient compact energy efficient light bulb currently on the market today.

Benefits of LED Lighting

Surpassing the exceptional benefits of its predecessor-- the compact fluorescent light bulb-- LED lighting benefits include:

• LED bulbs last 10 times longer than energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs with life expectancy up to twenty (20) years alleged.
• LED light bulbs have no filament and so are remarkably resilience to jarring and bumping.
• LED light bulbs produce 3.4 BTU s per hour compared to 85 BTUs omitted from incandescent light bulbs.
• LED light bulbs contain no mercury .
• With reduction in energy costs consumption of 80% or more, commercial applications of LED’ are surfacing in traffic lights with less maintenance and increased reliability.
• Due to low power requirements for LED s, the use of solar panels becomes more practical than in the past with reduction or elimination of traditional power sources.

With a future remaining uncertain, the conservation and preservation of natural resources is essential to maintain and improve present lifestyles. Replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient options is one way in which both the environment and a homeowner’s bank account can benefit.