Everyone wants to save money on their electric bills – and you can do it simply by replacing your light bulbs! Energy-efficient light bulbs have been around for years, but it wasn’t until the last decade or so that households began using them in place of their traditional incandescent light bulbs. Here are some of the best options for your home:
Halogen Light Bulbs
In an incandescent light bulb, the electric current runs through a wire tungsten filament and heats it up until it glows. Halogen bulbs work the same way, however, the halogen gas triggers a chemical reaction with the tungsten and causes the light to be redeposited back onto the filament. This makes them last longer. They are also able to illuminate instantly, like incandescent bulbs, and can be turned off and on frequently (unlike CFLs, which need to run about 15 minutes at a time).
Incandescent lifespan: about 1,200 hours
Average incandescent power usage: 60 watts
Halogen lifespan: about 2,500 hours
Average Halogen power use: 40 watts
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
CFL light bulbs (like the one above) have the most intricate illumination process among energy-efficient light bulbs. The electric current runs through a tube that contains argon and mercury vapor. The tube generates an ultraviolet energy, which then illuminates a fluorescent coating. Because of the process, CFLs take longer to fully illuminate than incandescent bulbs, but after they’re lit, they consume around 75% less energy. Just make sure you use them in open fixtures indoors (because of their sensitivity to extreme temperatures).
Incandescent lifespan: about 1,200 hours
Average incandescent power usage: 60 watts
CFL lifespan: about 10,000 hours
Average CFL power usage: 13-15 watts
LED Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs are bulbs that are made up of a series of small light-emitting diodes (or LEDs). Their illumination process is much simpler than a CFL’s: an electric current runs through a semiconductor material, which then illuminates the LEDs. These light bulbs are available in many different colors and don’t burn out like many light bulbs – instead, their light depreciates over time. LED light bulbs also remain cool to the touch and don’t emit heat like incandescent light bulbs or halogen light bulbs.
Incandescent lifespan: about 1,200 hours
Average incandescent power usage: 60 watts
LED light bulb lifespan: about 40,000 hours
Average LED power usage: 6-8 watts
If you’re interested in switching your light bulbs to more energy-efficient type, talk to our electrical service experts. We can help!
