The Difference between Different Types of Light Bulbs Today, there is no longer a single style of lightbulb available to use in every application. The advent of new light bulb materials and styles has resulted in a wide range of products that provide the right lighting for the application and perform in the most energy-efficient way possible. Modern products like the GE LED lamps available at Telecom Electric Supply Company offer an excellent alternative to traditional incandescent light bulbs by providing thousands more hours than old-fashioned bulbs, while also being more energy efficient. What Makes a Light Bulb Efficient? A combination of factors are considered when evaluating the efficiency of a lightbulb: overall lifetime, wattage of electricity used, and its annual cost for the amount of energy it takes to burn it based on 3 hours/day use. On average, a light-emitting diode (LED) lasts about 50,000 hours, while an incandescent light bulb with equivalent brightness lasts about 1,200 hours. The huge difference that makes the LED bulb much more efficient is its ability to provide the same light as the incandescent bulb at less than 10% of the cost. Appearance Matters, Too! Energy efficiency and good value are important to most buyers, but the quality of light that you get is just as important. The appearance of light makes a difference in how comfortable you feel in the room and the degree of visibility it provides in daylight and dark settings. LED vs. CFL Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, are energy-efficient light bulbs that are slowly phasing out traditional incandescent lights. In comparison with light emitting diodes, or LED light bulbs, CFLs cost less to purchase, but the price is continually going down as technology simplifies the manufacturing process. The drawback to LEDs is that they work in applications where directional light is needed, such as under cabinets, but not in areas where light is needed over a broader area. CFLs, on the other hand, are mini versions of the traditional fluorescent lights. No adapter is needed to use them in standard light bulb sockets, and the light is very much like that generated from traditional incandescent bulbs. The biggest disadvantage of these bulbs is the mercury content. Broken and old bulbs need to be discarded according to special guidelines and not simply tossed into the regular trash. Although LED lights cost more, they also last longer and don’t require the special handling associated with CFLs. Where Do Halogen Bulbs Fit In? Halogens are the most similar to incandescent bulbs, but are below the other bulb types in regards to value. They last about the same amount of time as the original bulbs, but also run hotter and are less energy-efficient. What to Look For in Light Bulbs Today Making the transition from incandescent bulbs to more energy-efficient types will be easier if you understand the differences between them and the best locations for using each type. LEDs
use 6 to 8 watts, while CFLs use 13 to 15 watts, in comparison to 60 watts of use in traditional incandescent bulbs. If you used to use a 60 watt bulb in a lamp, the new bulbs will likely tell you on the packaging what wattage it replaces. Both CFLs and LEDs are available for special design light fixtures such as recessed cans or floodlights. In addition to the savings in energy use and operating costs you can enjoy from today’s bulbs, future technology promises to offer more of a variety at an even better value. Company Telecom Electric Supply Company (http://www.tes.com) is an electrical supply company that has been offering customers exceptional values on electrical supplies and wholesale batteries since 1985. Their diversity of supplies caters to all types and sizes of businesses, including municipal agencies, government agencies, and utility providers. They are the largest minorityowned electrical supply company in the Plano, Texas area.