← Go Back

A Better Light Bulb

Light bulb with plant

Light bulb with plantNEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

In 2007, President Bush signed a law that requires all light bulbs to meet gradually increasing energy efficient standards to:

1) preserve energy resources

2) reduce harmful emissions

3) save consumers money in energy bills

This law inspired a flurry of made-in America innovation and has created high tech jobs.

The traditional incandescent light bulb has been upgraded and new versions such as CFL and LED are now on the market.

 

TYPES OF LIGHT BULBS ON THE MARKET TODAY

 INCANDESCENT (TRADITIONAL)
      1) produces light by heating a tungsten filament with an electric current
      2) least expensive
            3) shortest life
            4) uses the most energy  
            5) loses brightness over time
           
HALOGEN
            1) produces light same as incandescent with the addition of special gas that causes the vaporized tungsten to deposit                      back onto the filament
            2) a little more expensive   
            3) same life as incandescent
            4) 28% more energy savings than incandescent bulbs
            5) maintains brightness through life
 
CFL (COMPACT FLUORESCENT)             
             1) The CFL bulb is a phosphor coated glass tube filled with an inert gas and small amounts of mercury 
             2) expensive
             3) lasts 10x longer than traditional bulbs
             4) 75% more energy savings than incandescent
             5) delayed brightness/not dimmable/disposal requires special handling because of mercury content
 
LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE)
            1) The LED bulb uses a semiconductor as it’s light source
            2) very expensive
            3) lasts 25x longer than traditional light bulbs
            4) 85% more energy savings than incandescent
            5) instant full brightness/dimmable

The new LED bulb may be the light of our future.  The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that rapid adoption of LED lighting over the next 20 years in the United States could save about $265 billion in energy costs and replace the construction of 40 new power plants

 

WHY CHANGE?

Replacing the traditional bulbs in the home with newer more energy efficient ones will save a lot in monthly energy bills and use up less of our energy resources. Though the newer bulbs cost more, they have a much longer life.

Start by replacing the bulbs in the lights you use the most – a reading light, desk lamp, kitchen, hallway and bath lights. No need to put expensive bulbs in seldom used lamps.

 

COMPARISON OF THREE 60 WATT BULBS

Here’s a comparison between a traditional incandescent, a compact fluorescent and an LED bulb, each offering the equivalent of 60 watts in a table top lamp.  As you will see, the CFL and LED bulbs last much longer and cost a lot less to burn.

 

0004316848688 500X500

GE Reveal Incandescent 60 Watt (uses 60 watts)
Incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a tungsten filament with an electric current
Brightness: 630 lumens
9 month warranty; life 9 months (based on 3 hours per day)
Estimated energy costs per year: $7.23
Instant on
Dimmable and suitable for timers
Disposable in regular trash
Cost:  $1.46 each ($8.77 for six pack at Home Depot last week
 
 
738950922 260
 
Ecosmart Compact Fluorescent Daylight 60 Watt Equivalent (uses 14 watts)
The CFL bulb is phosphor coated glass tube filled with an inert gas and small amounts of mercury
Brightness: 750 lumens
7 year warranty; life 7.3 years (based on 3 hours per day)
Estimated energy costs per year:  $1.69
Slightly delayed brightness
Not dimmable/should not be used in timers
Contains mercury/cannot be put in regular garbage bins/special bins available at TownTransfer Station
Cost: $4.98 each ($9.97 for a two pack at Home Depot last week)
 
 
CreeCree LED Soft White 60 W Replacement (uses 9.5 watts)
LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulb uses a semiconductor as its light source
Brightness: 800 lumens
10 year warranty; life 22.8 years (based on 3 hours per day)
Estimated energy costs per year: $1.14
Instant full brightness
Dimmable with standard dimmers
Safety coated glass for shatter resistance
No toxic mercury or lead, regular disposal
Cost: expensive, but prices are coming down ($6.97 each – the half price cost at Home Depot last week)