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What are your lightbulb choices?

energy efficient lighting

There are many reasons to rethink the lighting scheme of your home. Perhaps you’re looking for a budget-friendly energy solution in order to put some extra savings back into your wallet? Or maybe 2019 will finally be the year to start making the switch to a more energy efficient lighting solution? Regardless of why you’re into shaking things up, evidently, the right use of light bulbs in and around your home has the ability to provide an embellished, ambient appeal, can prove to be cost-effective and has the power to offer you an eco-friendly, energy solution. After all, who doesn’t want to do their part to take care of the environment? Now, let’s take a look into your light bulb options.

What are your lighting choices?

If you’re looking for some lighting options that exhibit all of the qualities you’re looking for in a lightbulb, halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a few common choices that possess varied abilities to offer you savings and energy-efficiency while also exuberating a beautiful, aesthetic glow of illumination during their lifetime. They all possess their own unique design to withstand weather elements, such as rain or snow, as well as their ability to work diversely as an exposed fixture. But which bulb is the right choice for you?

Halogen Incandescents

These round, traditional-looking lightbulbs have remained the most common light source over the years — probably because they’re often the cheapest options.

The way halogens work is they possess a capsule inside that holds gas around the filament, which increases their performance and efficiency. They come available in a wide assortment of shapes and colors and can be used with dimmers if you’re looking to illuminate an area with a particular aesthetic look. These bulbs possess many advantages, but in terms of technology, halogen bulbs are a little behind with the times and there are many more energy efficient lighting solutions that overshadow the competence of their current abilities. Needless to say, if you’re looking for a cost-effective energy solution that you can depend on, halogen bulbs may be your best lighting option.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

CFLs are longer, curly versions of the long tube fluorescent lights that you may already have lighting up your kitchen or garage. The typically use less electricity than traditional incandescents and although are costlier upfront, they pay for themselves in the longevity of your energy savings. The average CFL bulb uses about one-fourth of the energy and lasts ten times longer than a more traditional incandescent bulb that puts out a similar amount of light. CFLs also come in a range of shapes and colorful tones that allow them to diffuse light into every featured direction. They are recyclable and an excellent eco-friendly solution for those who care about the environment and their everyday waste.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

LED bulbs are a state-of-the-art technology that possesses semiconductors that convert electricity to light. At one time they were only known as the indicators for traffic lights, but now LEDs (typically white) provide illumination in many applications of our everyday lives — including many of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly developing technologies. Commonly, LEDs use 25%-30% and last eight to 25 times longer than a traditional halogen bulb.

LEDs come in a variety of wattage, can be used as reflector bulbs in recessed fixtures, small track lights, desk lamps, kitchen undercabinet lighting and many elements of an outdoor lighting scheme. They are incredibly versatile, durable and perform well in cold environments. LED products as also common in pathway lights, step lights and porch lights. While they are little more expensive, they save you money in the long-run and emit a very low dose of energy use. As with any other electronic product, prices are expected to come down in future as the technology changes and more advanced products enter into the energy efficient lighting market. Needless to say, if you want the best of the best in terms of savings and efficiency, LEDs bulbs are the ultimate lighting investment.

Which form of energy efficient light do you plan to use to achieve your lighting goals? Tell us in the comments section below.

 

Alex Wilks is the Social Media & Content Creator for Trek Marketing. Her work has been featured on Global News, Black Press Media, andthe Kwantlen Chronicle