Less Energy Light Bulbs - Evaluation Of The Cfls And Leds Light Bulbs

There are strengths as well as disadvantages of using low energy light bulbs like CFL and LED bulbs.

President Barack Obama has announced plans to dismiss traditional incandescent light bulbs by 2014. The administration favors low energy light bulbs, such as lightweight fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Both are employed in homes across the United States, but the CFLs have been available the longest. There are several advantages and disadvantages to using these technologies. Let's examine them here:

Pros and Cons of CFLs

When compared to incandescent bulbs, lightweight fluorescent bulbs burn 10 times longer on average. CFLs with an Energy Star ranking use less energy, about 75%, contributing to savings of $30 over the life of one particular bulb. However, CFLs take longer to get warm and result in a colder light than incandescent bulbs. Producers responded to individuals who complained about the low quality of lighting produced by CFLs, by producing a new generation of lights that look like incandescent light bulbs.

CFLs that are closest to incandescent bulbs when it comes to illumination fall in between 2700 and 3000 on the Kelvin scale. CFL bulbs that produce a natural daylight tone, as an alternative to the yellow tones of the incandescent bulbs, fall in the variety of 5000-6500 on the Kelvin scale, and those in between 3500-4100 produce a cooler, whiter light. (These numbers for the Kelvin scale are seen right on the packaging.) A major disadvantage to using CFLs is the mercury contained in every bulb. If the bulb breaks, it can be dangerous to everyone in the home if you don't get rid of it correctly. Cleaning up a single shattered bulb sometimes needs contracting a hazardous materials specialist, and can cost thousands of dollars.

The price of 6 General Electric 26-watt CFLs is $16, which works out to $2.67 per bulb. This is the equivalent of a 100-watt incandescent bulb. A General Electric 100-watt Reveal bulb (4-pack) will cost $6.08, which works out to $1.52 per bulb. CFLs cost more but offer energy cost savings. However, CFL consumers are looking forward to inexpensive products.

Pros and Cons of LEDs

LEDs use less wattage (2-10 watts) as compared to CFLs and don't turn out much heat. They can be employed for 4.5 years consistently before "dying," the equivalent of 40,000 hours. Not like CFLS, LEDs don't contain mercury, which is a huge advantage. They don't have any filaments, and so there's no chemical risk if they break.

There are disadvantages to LEDs. One being, they're only useful for lighting downward or for task lighting. They don't cast light toward the base of the bulb, and the best ones available are only equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb. LED light bulbs look dimmer due to the fact the temperature of the light is cooler than incandescent bulbs and CFLs. However, they will be more useful as night lights since they give off a bluish hue. You can also use them for highlight lighting.

New technologies are being developed to solve the problems with using LEDs. As an illustration, the LED light bulbs series by Sharp (a nine-bulb LED) is available in Japan. It comes with a remote control that permits users to change the light's paint tone. LEDs are still expensive though, costing $82 for the Sharp unit, and around $35 for regular LEDs. When the price for these bulbs does fall, it may end up being better value than both CFLs and incandescent bulbs. LEDs utilize $50 worth of electricity less over 4 to 5 years, and can end up surpassing them together.

Low Energy Light Bulbs

There are some things you should know before acquiring low energy light bulbs.

by: John Reid

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