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If you recently found yourself in need of new light bulbs, you were probably confronted with what seemed like an endless number of possibilities. New light technology has emerged as a result of recent advances. What was once just a simple source of light has evolved into lightbulbs that respond to sound waves and those meant to fight off deadly bacteria.
But how can you be sure you are selecting the appropriate choice when all you need is a new bulb for your nightstand lamp? Which light bulbs are created to be more environmentally friendly and to lower our electricity costs?
Below, we address these and other common queries about lightbulbs.
What options do I have for light bulbs?
In a word, lots! However, these are the top three:
Incandescent bulbs: These are the traditional, vintage bulbs with which many of us were raised. They don't last very long and are not very energy-efficient.
CFLs: When we think of energy-efficient bulbs, "spiral" bulbs like compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) may come to mind.
LEDs: LED lights have the appearance and feel of an incandescent bulb while being extremely energy-efficient.
Different types of lighting—LED, CFL, and incandescent—use various amounts of energy. However, we firmly believe that you should focus on LED bulbs.
How do LED bulbs work?
LED stands for "light-emitting diode," which are tiny semiconductors (diodes) coated in plastic to protect them from the elements and concentrate the light. Even though a lightbulb has wire filaments, an LED does not.
How are LEDs unique from incandescent lights?
A typical lightbulb is an incandescent bulb, which has been in use ever since Thomas Edison's innovation was patented in 1879. When energy passes through the glowing filaments of these bulbs, heat and light are produced. On the other hand, LEDs use electrons that move in order to produce photons, or visible light. Photons produce very little heat. Additionally, LEDs last a lot longer and use a lot less energy to produce the same brightness as incandescent lights.
Do LEDs reduce energy use?
Because diode light is much more power-efficient than filament light, LEDs use much less energy than incandescent bulbs. More than 75% less energy is used by LED floodlights than by incandescent lighting. At low power levels, the disparity becomes substantially larger. Bright LED floodlights have a light output similar to a 50-watt incandescent bulb while using only 11 to 12 watts. The "fuss factor" is another benefit of LEDs that users must consider. A conventional bulb does not last as long as an LED.
But don’t LEDs cost more?
An LED used to cost around twice as much as an incandescent bulb at first. However, prices have been declining, and it is currently difficult to locate lightbulbs that aren't LEDs. They actually cost less over time than incandescent bulbs since they are so much more efficient. They have become the standard in the lighting business as a result. In a typical American home, there are about 40 light bulbs. If they are all incandescent bulbs, switching them all out for LEDs might save you $300 a year on energy bills. If you have CFLs, you can wait until they burn out before switching to LED canopy lights. That more than compensates for LEDs' slightly higher initial purchase price.
Do the prices and quality of light bulbs vary?
Since CFLs produce a wider light beam than LEDs, making them ideal for floor lights, many consumers initially chose CFLs over LEDs. But as LED technology advances, LED landscape lighting now produces a broader, warmer light. The amount of energy that LEDs and CFL bulbs require to produce a certain amount of light is what makes them significantly more energy efficient than incandescent lights. There are differences between different lights when it comes to wattage. Even if a 1,000-watt bulb of any kind uses the same amount of energy, the level of light it produces is quite different. Therefore, while evaluating bulbs, it's critical to consider brightness, or lumens.
Light intensity is measured in lumens, and equal lumens indicate equal brightness for LEDs, CFLs, and incandescent bulbs. Lumens are specified on lightbulb packaging. Find the lumen output you desire (the larger, the brighter), then select the bulb with the lowest wattage for the most effective lighting. LEDs are likely to triumph in any situation. The "fuss factor" is another benefit of LED spot lighting. Since LEDs last much longer than a standard bulb, you avoid the inconvenience of constantly looking through drawers for lightbulbs and the expense of purchasing replacements. According to the manufacturers, an LED may operate continuously for 100,000 hours or about 10 years.
Can LEDs help me save money?
Although most people are now aware of how much energy led canopy lights save, they may still be reluctant to pay the increased price for them. It's worthwhile, though.
What should I do with the old bulbs if I replace them with LEDs?
Don't discard them! Always recycle your light bulbs for energy efficiency and safety reasons. If a CFL bulb breaks in a landfill, mercury vapor could leak into the atmosphere and contaminate stormwater runoff. The bulb's components can be reused. Bring your neatly collected bulbs to the hazardous waste facility in your area.
LEDs can legally be dumped in the trash because they don't contain mercury, but recycling is still preferable.
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