Beyond Basic Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

We’re always hearing about compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) – and for good reason. CFLs are more earth friendly and last longer than typical bulbs. CFLs are an inexpensive way that any household can incorporate greener standards. BUT, what other greener lighting options are there? CFLs are not the only lighting choice if your goal is a green home. Following are two more green lighting options.

LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES (LEDS): Led lighting is actually more efficient (about three times more so) than CFLs and ten times more efficient than typical incandescent bulbs. They don’t give off much heat and last far longer than CFLs or standard bulbs. For example, the typical lifespan of a CFL is at most 10,000 hours while a LED can last up to 50,000 hours.

A downside of LED bulbs is that they’re more expensive to get started with. They do pay off in energy savings and lifespan in the long run, but in the short run you’ll need a larger budget to start using them. Also, LEDs are and are not handy depending on your needs. They make sense for smaller spaces where direct light is needed, but won’t work as well to light up large areas. See more tips on where LED lighting works best.

COLD CATHODE BULBS: These are actually a type of CFL but they run at room temperature, unlike average CFLs that work (in simple terms) by heating up. These can also be used for dimmers and any other light situation where flashing lights are needed. and last longer than other CFLs. You won’t have to fork over much extra cash for cold bulbs either, they’re not too much more than other CFLs and save you a little more over time due to their long life span. Cold cathode bulbs used to be used more like LEDs – i.e. in smaller, direct light situations, but currently you can find all sorts of bulbs for all kinds of applications.

Where to find these bulbs:

• Your local hardware or home improvement store.
• Litetronics
• LED Light
• 1000Bulbs
• EcoLEDs