Green Living with Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
This year marks the end of incandescent light bulbs. It is not illegal for retailers to sell them or for you to purchase them. But, they can no longer be manufactured or imported into the United States. For many of us who believe in green living, we say, “Good riddance!” Over the short lifetime of an incandescent light bulb, you would use five to ten times the original price of the bulb in electricity. Energy efficient bulbs like compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) have revolutionized the lighting industry. We will take a closer look at these two efficient bulbs.
Compact Fluorescent Lights
When it was decided in 2007 that it was time to do away with incandescent light bulbs, many believed that CFLs would become dominant due to the high price and impracticality of LEDs. CFLs are still wildly popular and less expensive than LEDs, but it looks like they may just be a stepping stone on the way to LED dominance.
There are a lot of benefits to CFL light bulbs. Here, we will focus on five of them:
- High quality lighting – Originally, CFLs gave off a “cool white” color that seemed only appropriate for a morgue. The newer CFLs have improved on this quite a bit giving off an inviting and warm light.
- Less expensive – Compared to incandescent bulbs, you save $45 over the course of the CFL’s life. Here’s five other ways to save energy at home!
- Versatile – CFLs work anywhere incandescent lights are used.
- Reduced water and air pollution
- Efficiency – Compared to incandescent bulbs, CFLs are four times more efficient.
Light Emitting Diodes
By clustering the small LED bulbs, manufacturers have expanded their uses. Today, they are available in clusters of 180 or more and can be found with standard bases to fit in household fixtures. LEDs are the future of home lighting. In the last few years, engineers and researchers have worked to make the lighting characteristics of LEDs match what consumers are used to. Plus, the prices have gone down. Some other benefits:
- LEDs last ten times as long as CFLs
- LEDs use less than 33 percent of the amount of electricity CFLs use
- Since they are energy efficient, LEDs run cool
- Bumping and jarring will not affect LEDs, unlike incandescent bulbs with their fragile filaments
- Great for use off the grid or in other remote areas due to the low power needs
Conclusion
As you can see, LEDs and CFLs are both great alternatives to incandescent bulbs. However, LEDs are king. If you are interested in extending your need to live green to your light bulb choice, 1lightbulbs.com is a great resource. They have the widest selection of affordable energy efficient lighting on the internet.
Green Living Ideas would like to thank 1lightbulbs.com for sponsoring this post.
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