From incandescent to CFL and LED, there are many types of lightbulbs you can use to illuminate your home. While each type of bulb performs the same purpose, CFL and LED bulbs outperform incandescent bulbs in nearly every way. As a leading provider of complete residential electrical services, the team at Expert Electric knows that the bulbs you choose can have a significant impact on your energy expenses along with the look and feel of your home. That is why we have provided some information comparing LED bulbs vs. CFL bulbs to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
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What are LED Bulbs?
LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs use a semiconductor to apply electricity to a negatively charged diode, resulting in the release of photons to emit light. They typically maintain the typical “pear” shape of incandescent lightbulbs, though their glass is not transparent.
What are CFL Bulbs?
CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs are lit by an electric current that is sent through a tube containing argon and a small amount of mercury gases. This in turn generates an invisible ultraviolet light, which then stimulates a fluorescent coating on the inside of the tube, producing visible light. They are easily identifiable by their spiral or “curly” shape.
Which Option is Better?
While both options are better than incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs offer the following benefits over CFL bulbs:
1. Low Power Consumption
While CFL and LED bulbs offer enhanced efficiency compared to incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs are more efficient than CFL. For reference, CFL bulbs typically use 20%-33% of the electricity of an incandescent bulb, while LED bulbs use anywhere from 10%-20% of the electricity of an incandescent bulb.
2. Long-Lasting Lifespan
CFL bulbs can last for up to 10,000 hours, making them a great choice compared to the 1,000 hours offered by incandescent bulbs. Due to their simple construction and design, LED bulbs can last for over 25,000 hours, roughly 25 times the length of incandescent bulbs and 2.5 times that of CFL options.
3. Instant Brightness
One of the downsides of CFL bulbs is that they are fluorescent and need time to warm up and generate their full amount of light. LED bulbs begin emitting the maximum amount of light as soon as they are powered on and generate less heat.
4. Natural Lighting
CFL bulbs emit an artificial type of light that many people find harsh or grating while the spectrum of light produced by LEDs is similar to the sun. This ensures that they feel more natural when used indoors.
To learn more about our residential electrical services or to discuss the details of your project with a licensed electrician, get in touch with Expert Electric. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.
