Incandescent vs. Compact Fluorescent vs. LED Lighting Options
Posted on Wed, Jan 11, 2012 @ 02:04 PM
Steven George
sgeorge@tesengineering.com
Over the years, lighting options have changed. These changes have resulted in more cost efficient, more energy efficient, and longer lasting options for homeowners and businesses.
Incandescent lamps are the most traditional option. Many homes contain these lamps in 40, 60 and 100-watt varieties in an array of different applications - from desk lamps and closets to hallways and stairs. They can be purchased cheaply, although availability is becoming limited due to a restriction by government regulations.
Wasted energy is a problem with incandescent bulbs. The inefficiency results from a high-burning metal filament inside the bulb that spends an enormous amount of energy creating light, but also creates heat. Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs because there is no burning filament. A 15-watt CFL uses about $75 of electricity a year and produces the same amount of lumens as a 60-watt incandescent bulb which would cost about $300 of electricity in an average office application.
The lack of a burning filament also means the CFL lasts 8 to 15 times longer than incandescents. CFLs typically have a rated lifespan of 6,000 to 15,000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps are usually manufactured with a rated lifespan of 750 hours or 1,000 hours. The downsides of CFLs are their mercury content and associated high cost of disposal.
Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lamps are the newest and arguably best option for homes and businesses. To achieve the same lighting potential as a 60-watt incandescent bulb, LEDs use just 8 watts of power, costing a consumer only $30 per year. These bulbs also last an average of 50,000 hours or longer. LED lighting is also used in decorative applications, like in areas where lighting needs to alter between different colors, because it can be changed electronically. A drawback to LED lighting is its high initial cost, a factor that can be offset by low power usage and extremely long life.
Lighting options are constantly changing and improving. Stay tuned to TES Engineering for dependable guidance on this issue, as well as other exciting topics.
