|
|
You are here:
Get Paid to Submit Articles Click Here
Which light bulb is right for you
See More articles From davesabri@googlemail.com
|
Up until fairly recently, you did not have to put a great deal of thought into your choice of domestic light bulb, as not only was energy a lot cheaper, but also incandescent bulbs were the only type available.
However, in recent years, all that has changed, and today there are three distinctly different types of bulb available to you - incandescent, compact fluorescent,and LED. In this article, we shall discuss the various advantages and disadvantages to each type, in order to help you decide what is best for you.
The oldest, and perhaps the most familiar type of bulb currently available is the incandescent bulb, which was invented way back in the 19th century. These work by passing an electrical current through a filament, heating it up until it produces light, inside a glass bulb which prevents oxygen from getting anywhere near the white hot filament, and thus prevents it from burning up.
Although incandescent bulbs are still the cheapest type to buy, their high running costs and comparatively short life make them something of a false economy when compared to compact fluorescents or even expensive LEDs.
The most common type of bulb currently in use is the Compact Fluorescent variety, often referred to as energy-saving bulbs. These are usually only a little more expensive than incandescent bulbs, and are both a lot more energy efficient and long lasting, making them by far the most affordable type of lighting available.
Although these are a lot better for the environment than incandescents from an energy usage and global warming perspective, the chemicals used in their manufacture are highly toxic to the environment, and even more so when they disposed of in landfill. Therefore, you should ensure that these are disposed of correctly when they stop working if you want a clearer conscience.
Even these seemingly miraculous bulbs are starting to look dated now in comparison to the great white hope of the light bulb industry, the LED light bulb. These use high-power light emitting diodes of the type you may have seen used in a number of live concert venues and festivals. They are basically the same technology as used to produce the little red power light on your television set, only much more powerful.
LEDs are without a doubt the future of the light bulb, as they are a lot more energy efficient and long lasting than the much lauded energy saving CFLs, with none of the toxic by products associated with that technology. They are currently too expensive to be a mass market product, although this is expected to change over the next few years.
If you only plan to use a lightbulb very occasionally, for instance in a little used cupboard, or require it as a heat source as well, for example in a lightbulb heated fish tank, then an incandescent bulb might still be a viable option. However, unless you can afford to buy the latest LED lights, then CFLs would seem to be the most sensible option for everyday use, at least until the price of LEDs comes tumbling down.
|
British Gas is the nation's favourite cheap gas and electricity supplier, boiler service provider, and energy efficiency advisor. Reduce your electricitybills by switching to British Gas' cheap energy online!
Flag as inappropriate
| Comment |
|
| Share this article |
|---|
|
|
|
|
