What Types of Light Bulbs Can You Get?
Incandescent bulbs work by passing electricity through a thin tungsten filament. The filament glows, producing heat and light. These bulbs run hot, burn out quickly, and waste electricity.
Halogen light bulbs work the same way as incandescent bulbs, but the gas inside the bulb includes a halogen such as bromine or iodine.
CFL bulbs use electricity to generate photons of light. They are less popular than the more efficient LED bulbs.
LEDs work by passing an electric current through a semiconductor. They are commonly available in stores in many colours and brightness levels.
Comparison of Light Bulbs
A comparison of light bulbs reflects a century of technological progress. The older incandescent and halogen bulbs were the least efficient and most expensive. Modern CFL and LED lights have many advantages.
Efficiency
LED lights are the most efficient of the three types of light bulbs. Fluorescent light bulbs are less efficient than LED bulbs but more efficient than halogen bulbs.
Traditional incandescent bulbs are the least efficient type of bulb. An incandescent bulb consumes twenty times as much energy than it releases as light.
Longevity
An incandescent or halogen bulb typically lasts less than 1,000 hours. In contrast, CFL bulbs can last ten times as long, and LED bulbs can last 25,000 hours or more. Because they convert less energy into heat, their electrical components do not burn out as quickly.
Light Output
Manufacturers classified traditional incandescent bulbs in terms of wattage, meaning the electrical power they utilised. Modern light bulbs use far less power than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light.
Measuring light output in lumens rather than watts prevents confusion. Consumers can use a table to convert the wattage of an incandescent bulb into lumens.
When Should I Use This Light Bulb?
Incandescent Bulbs
In the 21st century, there is no longer a need to use incandescent bulbs for lighting. Still, incandescent light bulbs remain part of our culture as a symbol of illumination and innovation. People who feel nostalgic for the 20th century can still obtain incandescent bulbs.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs and linear halogen lighting were once popular for store and factory lighting. However, most halogen bulbs are no longer legal for manufacture or sale in the UK.
For non-directional overhead lighting, consumers can choose between fluorescent light bulbs and LEDs for their homes and offices.
Best Bulb Types for Office Lighting
Fluorescent bulbs and linear fluorescent lighting have been a staple of office lighting installations for decades for their efficiency. They have many drawbacks that make them less suitable compared to LEDs, such as:
- their tendency to flicker when they turn on
- their lower efficiency
- their shorter lifespan
- their use of potentially hazardous mercury vapour
CFL bulbs were once an energy-saving lighting solution for the office, but LEDs have since surpassed them as the energy-efficient bulbs of the future.
You can find LED lights in many shades and colours. “Cool white” is a popular choice for office lighting.
Best Bulb Types for Home Lighting
LED light bulbs provide energy-efficient lighting at a low cost. They turn on and off instantaneously without any annoying flicker.
LED smart bulbs and other smart lighting technologies allow users to control bulbs remotely through software apps.
Many prefer “soft white” and “warm white” bulbs for home lighting installations.
Discover the Potential of Modern Lighting Today
Let Haley Electrical Services of Essex help you switch to cost-effective, energy-efficient light bulbs. Browse our website to read customer reviews and learn more about our commercial and industrial lighting services. Call 0330 828 1597 to speak with an expert electrician today.
