Save Electricity With Energy Saving Lamps
In many households, up to 20% of the energy cost goes to lighting. The high cost of lighting is largely due to the use of incandescent light bulbs which are notoriously inefficient. Only about 95% of the electricity it uses is converted to light. The rest is Energy-saving Lamp wasted as heat. That’s why the government is advocating the use of energy saving lamps such as compact fluorescent lamps and LED lights to replace incandescent bulbs.
Using energy saving lamps for lighting can have a huge impact on energy cost savings. Lower energy consumption will result in a cleaner environment due to reduced harmful emissions from power plants.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs are becoming popular replacements for incandescent light bulbs. CFLs are about four times more energy efficient than incandescent lamps. They are designed to fit into traditional light fixtures. Many users find the covered CFLs and spiral CFLs somewhat unattractive compared to traditional light bulbs. However, they can be easily covered by many traditional light fixtures.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs last 8 to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The average lifespan of a CFL is between 6,000 and 15,000 hours. In contrast, incandescent lamps are manufactured to last for 750 to 1,000 hours. In practical terms, CFLs last three to five years while traditional bulbs last an average of six months.
CFLs now come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from a small 10-watt bulb to a larger 30-watt bulb. These energy saving lamps are more expensive than incandescent bulbs but their longer lifespan and energy saving features make them a very attractive option.
Light Emitting Diode or LED Bulbs
More recently LED lamps were introduced as a new alternative to standard lamps. Energy-saving LED lamps offer a number of advantages over incandescent lamps. They are energy efficient, cost effective, and good for the environment. LED lamps are considered a “green” option for lighting in the home and outdoors.
LED lamps use 80% less energy than incandescent and up to 50% less than fluorescent lights. Thus, they help save energy and protect the environment. Unlike fluorescent lamps that contain harmful mercury, LED lamps are made of non-toxic materials.
Energy efficient LED bulbs are very bright and produce very little heat. Power consumption does not exceed 0.1Watt. These green light bulbs are maintenance free and can last up to 100,000 hours.