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What types of light should I use in my home?

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Understanding how to use different light sources in your home effectively is very important, especially with the goal of reducing your energy consumption. When comparing light bulbs, some last longer, emit equal light, radiate less heat, and use less energy (watts), saving you money.

Incandescent Lights

Many people still use the standard incandescent bulb in their homes because it is the cheapest on the market in terms of cents per bulb. There are many different types of incandescent lighting, such as quartz, halogen, track lighting, floodlights, etc. Although it can come in many forms, it is still the original technology invented by Edison in 1879. They have filaments that glow to produce light, but they also produce tremendous heat. Most people do not take this into consideration when screwing a new bulb into the socket.

Incandescent light bulbs waste about 90% of their power in heat and the remaining 10% is converted to light. So, if you want an inefficient heat source, screw in a bunch of incandescent light bulbs and install a larger air conditioner to overcome the heat gain in the summer. These light bulbs generally have a life expectancy of 1000 to 2000 hours before the element burns out.

Compact Fluorescent Lighting

Compact fluorescent lighting, or CFL, light bulbs require an electronic ballast to boost the voltage and ignite argon and mercury vapor creating light. This type of light generates far less heat, but produces the same amount of light as incandescent lights do. This type of lighting is definitely an improvement in energy efficiency, but not all CFL bulbs are of the same quality.

Some CFL light bulbs have inferior electronics. They can have high quantities of mercury and can fail sooner than their standard 10,000-hour life rating. However, when you buy an Energy Star CFL bulb, you can expect quality electronics and mercury as low as 1 mg per bulb. Pay attention to what you are buying and start looking for that Energy Star label. It will pay off when you have to replace bulbs less often and you see your electricity bill reduced.

One last tip on CFL lighting: Installing CFLs in enclosed fixtures can create too much heat and shorten their life. Keep these light bulbs protected from outside moisture and pay attention to their temperature rating for cold climates.

LED Lights

LED, or light-emitting diode, lighting starts with a tiny chip with layers of semi-conducting material. LED lighting may contain just one chip or multiple chips, mounted on heat-conducting material called a heat sink and usually enclosed in a lens. LED lighting is more efficient, durable, versatile, and long-lasting than incandescent and fluorescent lighting. LEDs emit light in a specific direction, whereas an incandescent or fluorescent bulb emits light heat in all directions. LED lighting emits both light and heat more efficiently. Many manufactures boast that LED lighting can last more than 50,000 hours.

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