Let There Be Light, and Let it Not Use Much Energy!

Energy Saving Technology
There has been a good deal of debate about the merits or otherwise of energy saving light bulbs. Whilst they last longer and use less electricity some people complain about the time they take to warm up or about the different quality of light that they provide. The technology is changing though and if you haven’t tried some of the latest bulbs you might be surprised at how good they are.
The Past has Dimmed
Older low energy bulbs tend to be the compact fluorescent (CFL) type. When first introduced these were expensive and bulky. They took a long time to reach full brightness after being switched on, tended to grow dimmer as they grew older and generally weren’t the most stylish of options. The latest versions are smaller and slimmer but still retain the advantages of long life and minimal heat production. They also come in styles similar to older incandescent bulbs so they’ll suit most fittings.
An increasingly popular option now is the halogen bulb. Halogen has been used in car headlights for many years because it provides a bright, white light. However, it’s only just getting a foothold in the domestic environment. You may have encountered halogen spot lamp bulbs but they’re now available in a variety of other styles. They have many of the low energy and long life benefits of CFLs but with the advantage of a brighter light and instant start up without flickering. They also retain consistent brightness throughout their life.
The latest technology is the LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulb. Again this is something that’s been around for a while in other applications – indicator lamps on instrument panels for example and car rear lights. LED bulbs are available in styles that mimic conventional incandescent bulbs. They’re quite expensive but because they use around 90% less energy and last up to 100 times longer they’ll more than pay for themselves over the life of the bulb. They’re available in the traditional bayonet fitting (B22) or the increasingly common E27 screw type. You can also get LED replacements for the familiar fluorescent tube lighting. These have a 50% energy saving over normal tubes with a longer life and flicker free start up. Because LED tubes contain no mercury they’re safer to dispose of at the end of their life too.
A Bright Future
The latest low energy lighting solutions can not only save you electricity, they offer longer life which means you’ll need to replace them less frequently. Developments in technology have overcome the old problems of flickering, dimness and slow start up. They now also come in shapes and styles to suit just about any situation. If you haven’t bought new bulbs for a while now might be a good time to take a closer look at what’s on offer.

Visit the site of a specialist supplier like JB Light Bulbs to see the wide range of low energy options now available.