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Gone are the days of having just one type of light bulb to choose from when installing a light fixture. You’d be able to walk into the hardware store, grab one without looking and walk out without a second thought. That’s not the case anymore. Now, there are more choices than you probably know what to do with.
So when you walk into that same store and are confronted with a wall of different types of light bulbs, it helps to know which one would be best for what you need. Luckily, electrical services fl has the lowdown on the different types you’d be choosing from. Let us break them down so you’ll know exactly which one is best for your specific situation!
Incandescent Bulbs
These are the most common types of light bulbs out there, and they’re probably the ones you instinctively think of when you imagine a light bulb. They operate by heating a filament inside the bulb until it emits light, and they’re good for most situations.
Incandescent bulbs are the cheapest of the bunch, but they burn out the quickest by far, and they use the most energy. So, if you’re looking for an easy, tried-and-true light bulb, this one’s for you.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen light bulbs are a very close relative of incandescent bulbs. They use a filament as well, but they offer a few advantages. Since these bulbs use the halogen cycle – hence the name – they are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs.
They also last longer than traditional bulbs, but you’ll pay a bit more on the front end for those benefits.
CFL (Compact Fluorescent) Bulbs
Fluorescent bulbs are the first one in this group to not operate using a filament. As a result, they don’t burn out nearly as quickly as incandescent or halogen bulbs do – in fact, they can last 10 times as long as those bulbs, and they’re energy efficient to boot.
However, there are a few negatives. CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury in the bulb itself, which is what it uses to create light in the first place. If a CFL bulb breaks, that mercury can get out if it isn’t a plastic-coated bulb, meaning it’s potentially dangerous. They also take a while to warm up due to the nature of their lighting process – it might take 30 seconds before it has illuminated completely.
LED Bulbs
The last major type of light bulb is also the one that packs the most punch. LEDs operate strictly with electronics, so there’s no risk of early burnout or any chance of a hazardous chemical or gas leaking into your home. They are also ridiculously energy-efficient and last extremely long – you might not ever have to change an LED bulb out because they last so long!
LEDs do, however, come with a heftier price tag than the other bulbs, so that’s something to keep in mind. They’re also limited in how they direct light, given that they’re not omnidirectional – an LED points one way, and that’s all.
Not Sure? Give Us a Call!
Picking the right light bulb is a harder choice than you might have expected, and depending on what you need illuminated you could have a difficult decision on your hands. Instead of fretting over it, just let Electrical Services fl help you choose! Our experts know lighting inside and out, and our team would be glad to make your decision a bit easier.