The Problem with Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)
Over the past several years, many homeowners have been seeking to green their households by replacing their old energy-wasting incandescent light bulbs with more efficient technologies. The US government has also expedited the process by announcing that incandescent bulbs will be phased out of production starting in 2012. In response, many remodeling outlets have stocked up on alternative products such the well-known compact fluorescent bulb.
While CFLs use up to eight times less energy than incandescent bulbs, they have other issues, which make them a less-than-ideal solution. From an aesthetic standpoint, CFLs emit less light than incandescent bulbs and also take up to a minute to 'warm up' to their full brightness. More troublesome, however, is the fact that CFLs contain a small amount of toxic mercury, which is a cause for concern if a bulb breaks in the home. The mercury makes disposing of CFLs difficult as well, since most municipalities aren't equipped to handle mercury disposal and the chemical then ends up in the soil of a landfill.
LEDs: Lighting the Future
LEDs seem to be one of the best solutions for future lighting needs. They have several benefits compared to more inefficient lamp types:
- Create almost no heat output
- Can deliver over 100 lumens of light from a single watt of electricity
- Energy efficient at around 40,000 to 50,000 hours a bulb
- Made of recyclable semiconductor materials
Also, unlike compact fluorescents, LEDs light instantly and are dimmable, quiet, and deliver a steady stream of light. Since LEDs are a relatively new technology, there are some disadvantages. LED fixture options are still somewhat limited, though large lighting showrooms are displaying more and more LED products by the month. LEDs also tend to be more limited in color but better technology is also rapidly bringing LEDs closer in color to that of traditional incandescent. Still, the biggest drawback to LEDs tends to be the price. At $15 to $45 for an LED "bulb" that can be used in the same application as an incandescent 'A' bulb, LEDs are still best used in specialty applications such as strip or point lighting, or in locations where CFLs are inappropriate, like on dimmers and in closets. As technology and production improves however, LEDs will likely come down in price. They may well become the preferred lighting source in the coming years.
Other Energy-Efficient Alternatives
Some other lesser-known lighting types that "shine" where CFLs are deficient are also making their way to the market. Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL) lights are a new technology that create the same light quality as incandescent bulbs, but are up to 70% more energy efficient and last up to 5 times longer. Their 11,000-hour life span is comparable to CFLs. They produce half the heat of incandescent bulbs and have many similarities to LEDs:
- Light instantly
- Easily dimmed
- Quiet operation
- Low-voltage power supply which makes them safer
Unlike LEDs however, ESLs shine with a brighter white color, and can be as much as half the price. Unfortunately, only one company, Vu1, is currently manufacturing ESLs, which may make procuring them difficult until the technology spreads.
Halogen
For a readily available lighting solution that provides energy savings (though not nearly as much as the types listed above), consider energy-saving halogen bulbs. Halogen bulb technology has been around for decades, and is an improved version of the incandescent bulb. By encasing the filament in a small glass "envelope" filled with a halogen gas, the amount of light given off can be maximized. These specialized halogen bulbs are useful in instances that require more light than LEDs are able to give, and they are about 30 percent more efficient than standard incandescent. At $5 per bulb, these new "energy saver" halogens cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but are comparable to CFLs. 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 bulb that saves 25 to 30 percent of the energy of a standard bulb is using halogen technology. This lamp is a good alternative to mercury-containing CFLs until LED technology improves.