You have several light bulb options for your home. Home lighting can be highly customizable, and the perfect bulbs can help you save money over time. But choosing the right light bulbs can be a challenge. Do you know your options?
Here are your choices:
- Incandescent: The standard in American homes for over 100 years. They typically last roughly 1,000 hours and are costly because 90% of the energy they create is lost as heat. The U.S. is phasing out incandescent bulbs and starting in January, companies will be barred from making them.
- Halogen: A variation of the incandescent but 25% more efficient. A capsule around the wire filament holds gas to increase efficiency. These bulbs are most used under cabinets, in pendant lights, and in recessed cans.
- Fluorescent: Producing a visible light that appears bluish in color, these lights are commonly used in basements, garages, and attics. These light bulbs are not as warm and therefore not as good for other applications.
- Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs): A curly version of the fluorescent light, it lasts 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and can be used in most lighting fixtures. These light bulbs take awhile to get to full strength when turned on which causes some people not to like them. CFL’s are better than fluorescent but not as good as LED.
- LED: LED bulbs are a solid state lighting source that lasts 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs are gaining in popularity as they become more inexpensive and easier to find. Many smart bulbs today are of the LED variety and allow you to change color, timing, and lightness through an app on your phone.
For your future purchasing of light bulbs, a 72-watt incandescent halogen or 23-watt compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb will replace, and be as bright as a traditional 100-watt incandescent bulb.
For more information about the latest light bulb technology, please contact the professionals at Country Club Homes, Inc. today at 203-762-0550.