Lighting Types 101
The most common home lights are incandescent, halogens, compact fluorescents (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs). The incandescent was invented over 100 years ago by Thomas Edison, and more than 90% of the energy consumed by a standard incandescent bulb is given off as heat, while only 10% is converted into light! Halogens are high output incandescents that screw into standard sockets and are often used as spot or accent lighting. Infrared (IR) lights use a coating that recycles waste heat within the bulb and can be up to 50% more efficient than standard incandescents. They emit a whiter light, making them a good choice for illuminating areas where visual sharpness or color clarity is important, such as for lighting artwork (consider proper UV shielding).
Super Savers: CFL Bulbs
Lighting technology has advanced over the past decade, and more efficient lighting can help lower your overall electrical consumption while meeting visual performance needs. The latest generation of CFLs are the most common and multi-functional energy efficient products available. The first CFLs cost $20 to $25 per bulb and were only available in 2 or 3 styles. Now, CFLs cost almost the same as conventional incandescents ($1.50 to $3 apiece). They’re available in hundreds of styles and can be used almost anywhere — there are ceiling mounted, recessed, decorative, vanity fixtures, and more. Modern CFLs provide a range of colors, from daylight white to “warm” colors similar to incandescents. While CFLs are still a bit more expensive than incandescents, they often last up to 8 times as long and, for comparable light, use about 1/4 of the electricity. One CFL can eliminate the need to produce, install, remove, and dispose of up to a dozen standard incandescent bulbs. To top it off, each CFL you install can save you over $30 in electricity costs over the lifetime of that bulb. For example, if you replaced the 5 most-used 75-watt bulbs in your house with CFLs, you could save $500 over 8 years!
Bright Ideal: CFL Fixtures
You can save by replacing an incandescent bulb with a screw-based CFL — but if you also replace the entire light fixture with one designed exclusively for a CFL, you may save just as much and get even more benefits. It could reduce the risk of the CFL overheating, and help the CFL last longer. Check out this table for statistics:
| Light Bulb Retrofit Life Cycle Cost Analysis | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard A-style Incandescent Bulb | CFL Bulb | |
| Energy Consumed (watts) | 100 | 29 |
| Rated Lamp Life (hours) | 1,500 | 12,000 |
| Cost Per Bulb and Fixture* | $0.50 | $10 |
| Life of Bulb (years)** | 1.0 | 8.2 |
| Energy Use Per Year (kWh) * | 146.0 | 42 |
| Operating Cost Per Year*** | $21.60 | $6.30 |
| Savings Per Year | NA | $15.30 |
| Payback Time for Price of CFL (years) | NA | 0.65 |
| Total Life Cycle Costs (8.2 yrs) | $181 | $16.30 |
| Total Life Cycle Savings | NA | $165 |
| * It is assumed the fixture for the incandescent is already installed ** With an average use-rate of 4 hours per day *** Calculations assuming an average electricity rate of $0.1483/kWh, U.S. Energy Information Administration, "Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State," (March 11, 2011), Source: Goorskey, Sarah, Wang, K., Smith, A., “Rocky Mountain Institute’s Home Energy Briefs #2 Lighting,” (2004). | ||
A Long Time Coming: LEDs
LEDs, also called “solid-state” devices, are an emerging technology with potential for energy savings and longevity. LEDs have become the standard lights for washers and dryers, cell phones, bicycle lights, and holiday lights. Their use is expanding into retail, grocery, and restaurant uses for spotlighting merchandise and food. LEDs are also used outdoors for street lighting, open or covered parking lots, traffic signals, building façades, and monument accent lighting. LEDs are different from incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, because they’re made from materials like silicon and nickel, similar to how computer chips are made. LED lights are long-lasting, durable and efficient.. Today they come in a wide range of colors including white. Modern LEDs can last 7 to 15 times longer than CFLs, and are 30% to 66% more efficient — some LED table lamps use only 5 watts. Screw-in LED bulbs are available in various sizes, but are expensive at $40 to $60 per bulb.
A Little Light Housekeeping… Besides light bulbs, there are many other things to think about when deciding what kind of lighting to use. Using sensors, dimmers, creative day lighting, or even simply painting walls, can significantly enhance a home. Lighting controls ensure lights are turned on when needed; they can also adjust lighting to desired levels, and can save energy if used properly.
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