Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Can Save You Money

Did you know that just by upgrading 15 of the incandescent light bulbs in your home, you could save as much as £50 on your yearly energy bill.  Incandescent bulbs stopped being manufactured in 2012, but many homes still have them in place.  The newer, energy efficient, bulbs may be more expensive to buy, but most guarantee over 10,000 hours of light, so in the long run, you will be saving money on both the cost of the electricity, and the bulbs themselves.

The new energy saving light bulbs are available in the same range of light levels and colours that you have become accustomed to, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a bulb that is perfect for the lights in your home.  Keep reading to find out the three most common types of energy efficient light bulbs.

LED’s

LED’s are a form of solid state lighting (they convert electricity into light through semiconductors).  Although they are most common in traffic lights and car indicators, the technology behind them is being rapidly developed.  Normal LED light bulbs use 25% of the energy of normal incandescent bulbs, whilst Energy Star LED light bulbs use 20% of the energy.  Both types also last up to 25 times longer.

CFL’s

CFL’s (otherwise known as compact fluorescent lamps), are twisted variations of the fluorescent tube lights that you probably already have in your garage or kitchen.  They are available in a wide range of colours, and can be found encased so that the curls are hidden.  It is also possible to buy CFL’s that can be used with dimmer switches.  A typical CFL will pay for itself within nine months and then start to save you money.  They last ten times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and use 25% as much energy.  It is important to note that CFL’s contain a minute amount of mercury, and so they should be disposed of properly at the end of their lifespan.

Halogen Incandescent Light Bulbs

Halogen incandescent light bulbs look very similar to traditional incandescent bulbs.  They have a capsule inside of them that holds gas around the filament.  This helps to make them more energy efficient when compared to the older bulbs.  Halogen incandescent light bulbs do meet the new energy standards, however, they are less energy efficient than the two bulbs described above.  They do, however, come in a wide selection of colours and lighting options, and can also be used with dimmer switches.

When you consider how much money you can save on energy, just by updating your light bulbs, there is no real reason not to make the switch.  And, you can use the money that you save to invest in some truly unique lighting options, such as the ones offered by housejunkie.co.uk vintage industrial furniture. Finally, remember to look out for the Energy Star rating on any light bulbs that you buy.  These are the most energy efficient bulbs available, and will save you the highest amount of money on your energy bills.

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