Efficient Electric

View Original

Exploring Affordable Energy-Saving Light Bulb Options

Installing energy-efficient light bulbs is an excellent way to reduce electricity bills. Best of all, you can buy various types of these economical devices.

Here are the most popular money-saving light bulbs:

LEDs (light-emitting diodes)

LEDs are the most common energy-efficient light bulbs, outperforming incandescent bulbs by a wide margin. They help you save around 80% in electricity costs every year and deliver similar brilliance to natural daylight.

LED bulbs can last approximately 50,000 hours and immediately reach their full brightness. As a result, you don't need to wait for optimal illumination after flipping the light switch.

Furthermore, they shine brightly outdoors, indoors, as well as in cold and warm climates.

The only downside of LEDs is their high price. However, the investment usually pays off since the longer lifespan prevents premature replacement.

Halogen incandescent light bulbs

Halogen incandescent light bulbs are an excellent choice for people who want higher efficiency and similar visual appeal to traditional bulbs. The most significant difference between these two types is the gas. Halogen bulbs use bromine instead of nitrogen-argon, meaning they operate differently.

While they're not the most popular kind of light bulb for household use, halogen light bulbs offer high efficiency, illumination, and durability. The switch from conventional bulbs is also seamless since they closely resemble their design.

On top of that, halogen incandescent bulbs consume around 25% less energy than traditional bulbs. They also come in various colors, such as natural white and soft white, making them great for lamps with dimmers.

CFL light bulbs

The most prominent feature of CFL bulbs is their spiral shape. They emit light with a range of phosphors and run on the same technology as traditional fluorescent bulbs. Still, they're much more compact and require less electricity.

CFL bulbs last approximately 10,000 hours. They cost more than conventional light bulbs, but you usually get your money back within nine months.

Nevertheless, CFLs have a few notable downsides. They don't brighten a room as fast as halogen or LED bulbs. Thus, they're not the best option for outdoor settings, cold climates, entryways, and other places that require direct light. Instead, they're a much better match for indoor lamps.

Another disadvantage of CFLs is mercury content, which can hinder appropriate disposal. You have to exercise care at their disposal to ensure they don't end up in landfills.

Get expert advice for lighting your home

To determine the correct light bulb for your household, reach out to a licensed electrician. They can provide all the information about energy-efficient bulbs to help you make a good choice. Moreover, they can install them while following all safety protocols to prevent damaging your electrical system and appliances.


If you need a highly-reviewed, licensed electrician in the Phoenix Valley area, call Efficient Electric at 623-900-1461. We would love to hear from you!