Gone are the days of having just one type of light bulb to
choose from when installing a light fixture. You’d be able to walk into the
hardware store, grab one without looking and walk out without a second thought.
That’s not the case anymore. Now, there are more choices than you probably know
what to do with.
So when you walk into that same store and are confronted
with a wall of different types of light bulbs, it helps to know which one would
be best for what you need. Luckily, electrical services fl has the lowdown on the different types you’d
be choosing from. Let us break them down so you’ll know exactly which one is
best for your specific situation!
These are the most common types of light bulbs out there,
and they’re probably the ones you instinctively think of when you imagine a
light bulb. They operate by heating a filament inside the bulb until it emits
light, and they’re good for most situations.
Incandescent bulbs are the cheapest of the bunch, but they
burn out the quickest by far, and they use the most energy. So, if you’re
looking for an easy, tried-and-true light bulb, this one’s for you.
Halogen light bulbs are a very close relative of
incandescent bulbs. They use a filament as well, but they offer a few
advantages. Since these bulbs use the halogen cycle – hence the name – they are
more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs.
They also last longer than traditional bulbs, but you’ll pay
a bit more on the front end for those benefits.
Fluorescent bulbs are the first one in this group to not
operate using a filament. As a result, they don’t burn out nearly as quickly as
incandescent or halogen bulbs do – in fact, they can last 10 times as long as
those bulbs, and they’re energy efficient to boot.
However, there are a few negatives. CFL bulbs contain a
small amount of mercury in the bulb itself, which is what it uses to create
light in the first place. If a CFL bulb breaks, that mercury can get out if it
isn’t a plastic-coated bulb, meaning it’s potentially dangerous. They also take
a while to warm up due to the nature of their lighting process – it might take
30 seconds before it has illuminated completely.
The last major type of light bulb is also the one that packs
the most punch. LEDs operate strictly with electronics, so there’s no risk of
early burnout or any chance of a hazardous chemical or gas leaking into your
home. They are also ridiculously energy-efficient and last extremely long – you
might not ever have to change an LED
bulb out because they last so long!
LEDs do, however, come with a heftier price tag than the
other bulbs, so that’s something to keep in mind. They’re also limited in how
they direct light, given that they’re not omnidirectional – an LED points one
way, and that’s all.
Not Sure? Give Us a Call!
Picking the right light bulb is a harder choice than you
might have expected, and depending on what you need illuminated you could have
a difficult decision on your hands. Instead of fretting over it, just let Electrical Services fl help you
choose! Our experts know
lighting inside and out, and our team would be glad to make your decision a
bit easier.
