The Wyatt Dowling way

Consider energy efficient lightbulbs in your home?

January 31, 2022

Incandescent light bulbs are gradually being phased out of homes and replaced with energy efficient bulbs. They are brighter, use less energy, and last longer. Energy efficient lightbulbs can last 12 times longer than incandescent bulbs and can help you reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bill.

What are energy efficient light bulbs?

Energy efficient light bulbs can be light emitting diode (LED), halogen incandescent, or compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs. LEDs are popular because of the warm, soft light they emit. For a long time, LEDs were cold and harsh and not a pleasant way to light a room but now there are many options. Energy-saving bulbs used to take a long time to get bright enough but halogens and LEDs now light up instantly. CFLs still take some time to light up completely.

Why is it important to switch to energy efficient light bulbs?

Switching to energy efficient light bulbs benefits the environment and decreases your electricity bill. In 2014, Canada banned the importing and manufacturing of higher-wattage incandescent light bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, to get 25,000 hours of light for indoor use, you would need 25 incandescent lightbulbs, 2.5 CFLs, or just one LED bulb. This means you will pay less for electricity and the impact on the environment is lower because less energy is required and there is less waste. Replacing one bulb will not make much of a difference but many households replacing most of their incandescent bulbs with energy efficient ones does make a difference. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent bulb with an LED bulb can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 160 kg per year.

Because energy efficient light bulbs produce less heat, they are also safer to handle, especially for households with children. Incandescent lights can be a fire hazard if they come in contact with flammable materials.

What are the advantages of LEDs?

LEDs were originally used in electronic products and are semiconductor devices that emit light when electricity passes through them. They use energy much more efficiently than incandescent bulbs, which waste 95% of their energy as heat. LEDs are the most common type of energy efficient light bulb and have many advantages.

• LEDs are compact and good for small spaces.
• They perform well in cold temperatures.
• They turn on instantly.
• LEDs produce color without the use of filters, which decrease light output.
• They have a wide range of colors.
• They have a long lifespan.
• They do not produce much heat.
• They do not contain lead or mercury
• They are durable and resist vibrations and breakage.
• LEDs are the most efficient type of energy efficient light bulb.

Choosing the right energy efficient bulb

When choosing an energy efficient light bulb for your home, consider color, type, and lumen value.

What is lumen value?

Watts have traditionally been used to determine the brightness of a lightbulb but because energy efficient light bulbs use less power, wattage is not practical for determining their brightness and lumen output is used instead. Lumens are used to measure brightness while watts are used to measure electricity consumption. For example, the brightness of a 60-watt incandescent light bulb is comparable to a 700 lumen LED bulb.

Which type of energy efficient bulb do you need?

Which type of bulb to buy depends on where and for what you will be using it. For outdoor lighting, CFLs and LEDs are best. Chandeliers and spotlights use LEDs and dimmable lights use LEDs or B-rated halogen bulbs.

What color of energy efficient bulb is best?

For natural lighting, choose energy efficient bulbs that are described as warm white or soft. For areas that need more light and for spotlights you should use bulbs described as cool or pure white.

Look for energy efficient light bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR symbol because they meet high-performance criteria. They match the brightness of other bulbs, maintain a consistent output of light over their lifespan, have good color quality, and distribute light well.