Lightbulb technology has come lightyears in recent years. Did you know that swapping out your five most used light bulbs to high-efficiency bulbs can save you as much as $45 per year? According to Energy.gov, upgrading the bulbs around your home is one of the easiest and quickest ways to reduce your monthly energy bill, by as much as 5%.
If you still use traditional incandescent bulbs in your home, consider upgrading to more energy-efficient bulbs such as halogen incandescent, CFL, and LED – which are popular choices among Chicago area homeowners. The electricians at Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric discuss the different types of light bulbs available on the market today and which ones are best for your home.
Types of Light Bulbs Available Today
Remember, when you’re shopping for light bulbs at your local home improvement store, you’ll find that newer types are typically more expensive upfront, but they’ll save you a lot of money in the long term through their increased lifespan and energy savings.
Here are the four most common types of light bulbs available today:
Traditional incandescents
Traditional incandescent light bulbs have been around for more than 100 years and are the cheapest and still the most popular choice on the market. They produce a warm light, but they’re the least energy-efficient, and many countries have banned the manufacturing and purchasing of incandescent bulbs. They are still available in the United State, however. They last about 1,000 hours, compared to LED bulbs which can last for 50,000 hours! An incandescent bulb’s short lifespan is mainly to blame for the fact 90% of its energy is given off as heat.
Halogen incandescents
Halogen incandescent bulbs are an enhanced version of incandescent bulbs. The main difference is that halogen bulbs have a small amount of halogen gas added to the inside of the bulb, while traditional incandescent bulbs use argon gas. Halogen gas prevents the buildup of soot on the interior of the bulb, which causes them to burn brighter and longer. Halogen bulbs are up to 30% more efficient than traditional incandescents. These bulbs last about 2,000 hours, or about twice as long as traditional incandescent bulbs.
CFLs
CFL stands for compact fluorescent lamp. In incandescent bulbs, the electric current runs through a wire filament to heat the filament until it glows. With CFL bulbs, the electric current is driven through a tube containing argon, which generates invisible ultraviolet light which excites a fluorescent coating on the inside of the tube to emit light, according to Energy Star. These bulbs use one-fourth of the energy and can last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs that put out the same amount of light. They also come in different colors and with dimmable features. CFL bulbs can last for up to 10,000 hours.
LEDs
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. According to Energy Star, an electrical current passes through a microchip to illuminate the LED to produce light. LEDs don’t burn out as traditional bulbs do; they slowly begin to dim over time. Their lifespan is good until lighting capacity decreases by 30%. There are many benefits to purchasing LED lights, including:
- Extended lifespan. They can last from 30,000 to 50,000 hours.
- Energy efficiency.
- Durability.
- Controllability. LED lights can be dimmed to 10% of light output.
- Cold temperature operation.
- They turn instantly on.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric for Your Home’s Electrical Needs
As you can see, there are many benefits to upgrading to more energy-efficient light bulbs, including cost savings and added features. For more information about lightbulb options or for any electrical services you may need in your Chicago home, contact the electricians at Ravinia Plumbing today. Our company has been in business since 1928, and also provides quality and reliable plumbing services as well as furnace, heat pump, and air conditioning tune-ups, repairs, and installation services.
