Most consumers probably own at least a handful of compact fluorescent bulbs and noticed the energy savings they provide. But many also have experienced some problems with CFLs, including in rare cases, adverse physical symptoms.
In those situations, such as on dimmer switches or in hallways and closets, where CFLs don't make sense, there are alternatives. Saving money and energy with energy efficient bulbs is becoming more and more possible as new technologies advance.
LEDs for All
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs have long been considered the ultimate in both energy efficiency and reliable, long-lasting lighting. But the high price of LEDs has been prohibitive.
Over the past two or three years, lighting companies have poured millions of dollars into research and development of LED bulbs. The result is that consumers can now find LEDs in a few standard bulb shapes for home lighting, at much more affordable prices. Some discount retail stores offer LED bulbs for $15 to $45 per bulb.
LED bulbs use solid state technology, similar to that in silicon computer chips. A single LED doesn't give off much light, but manufacturers are hard at work to improve their brightness. Bulb makers combine a group of LEDs, along with special reflectors, inside a bulb-shaped cover, to maximize the amount of light given off.
Because LEDs are solid state, they don't break when dropped. LED bulbs contain no mercury and they are about as efficient as CFLs. LEDs can be recycled easily, and the materials re-used. And most important, they have the potential to become even more efficient and less expensive as LED technology improves.
Energy Saving Halogen Bulbs
For situations that require brighter light than LEDs can produce, some manufacturers are beginning to market energy saving halogen bulbs, which are about 25 to 30 percent more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.
Halogen bulb technology has been around for decades, and is an improved version of the incandescent bulb. Halogen bulbs also contain a tungsten filament, which glows when an electric current flows through it. However, by encasing the filament in a small, glass "envelope," filled with a halogen gas, the amount of light given off by the filament can be maximized.
Originally, halogen bulbs were known for lasting longer than incandescent bulbs, because the halogen gas in the glass envelope would react with tungsten atoms and "re-deposit" the tungsten back onto the filament. This would prevent the filament from breaking so quickly, which meant that the halogen bulb would last longer. It also made it possible to run the bulb at a higher temperature, so that it could give off a brighter, clearer light for the same amount of electric current used.
Saving 30 Percent More Energy
The new energy saving halogen bulbs contain special filter coatings inside the halogen envelope that optimize the amount of light without using more energy.
They need to be handled more carefully because they run hotter than incandescents and should not be used if the outer coating is scratched. Halogen bulbs are fully dimmable, contain no mercury, don't flicker and don't give off EMFs.
These new "energy saver" halogen bulbs cost more than regular bulbs--about $5 per bulb in retail stores. Consumers should make sure that the packaging specifically states that the bulb saves energy. In some cases, the bulbs may not be labeled "halogen," but any energy efficient light bulb that saves 25 percent to 30 percent of the energy of a standard bulb is using halogen technology.
Substituting a 40-watt energy saving halogen bulb for a 60-watt incandescent bulb will give the same amount of light output for one-third less energy. In many situations, energy saving halogen bulbs would be a good alternative to CFLs, at least until LED technology improves.
Holly Martin - Holly B. Martin's blog, www.scienceshift.com explores the world of science beyond the fringe.
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