The lights are almost always on as it’s essential for us to clearly brighten our spaces whether we’re in the office, bedroom, kitchen, garage or basement. Having your lights on for most of the day can be costly so eco-friendly light bulbs are key!
There is so much to what goes into a light bulb – it can be enlightening!
Types of light bulbs
There are three primary types of light bulbs – halogen, compact fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting diode (LED).
Halogen
- Uses up to 28% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs
- Lasts up to 3x longer than traditional incandescent bulbs
- Comes in a variety of colors
CFL
- ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs can use up to 75% less energy
- Lasts 10x longer than traditional incandescent bulbs
- CFLs can pay for themselves in energy savings in approximately eight months*
LED
- Lasts 25x longer than traditional incandescent bulbs
- Uses less energy than CFLs
- Available for most residential purposes
Many of the readily available lights are more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. However, the light bulbs you choose depend on your preference and usage needs. In spaces where the lights are on most of the day, an LED light bulb is the best option. Remember to always check the recommended light bulb and lumens on your lighting sources so you don’t overpower the fixture’s capability.
Still not sure which light bulb to use? Here are some other things to keep in mind.
Watts or Lumens
Many light bulbs show the lumens instead of watts. Lumens = light produced. Watts = power used.
Traditional Incandescent Bulbs (Watts)
| ENERGY STAR® Bulb Brightness (Minimum Lumens) |
40
| 450
|
60
| 800
|
75
| 1,100
|
100
| 1,600
|
150
| 2,600
|
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