How much do you know about energy saving light bulbs

Believe it or not one of the most important purchases in home lighting are energy saving light fixtures on the market, but it won't produce the light you expected with the wrong light-bulb in it.

When you switch to long life or energy efficient light bulbs you won't notice any cost saving advantages right away, the energy saving costs will be spread out over the year. Of course the more bulbs you replace with energy efficient ones the more you will save over time.

Decorative light bulbs are normally coded by a system that seems a little weird at times. Basically it is a code that defines the watts, shape and size. The numbers go like this:

• 50WR30 = wattage - bulb shape - diameter. Meaning it is a 50-watt R-bulb that is 30/8 inches in diameter.

Bulbs are given in 1/8th inch diameters so a size of 30 is about 3 3/4 inches across. A A19 bulb would be about 2 3/8 inches wide. Often you will se a code for the pattern or beam spread. 50WR30FL the FL stands for flood light. VNSP would mean vary narrow spot or beam sort of like a flashlight.

Types of  efficient lightbulbs:

Appliance, Candle blunt tip, Candle Flame tip, Compact Fluorescent, Globe, Halogen, MR-16, Reflector, Standard Household, Tube and Xenon.

Usage: 2-PIN, 4-PIN, Bi-Pin, Candelabra, Double Contact Bayonet, Double Ended, G-9, G8-8mm, Bi-Pin, GU-10, Intermediate, Mini-Can and Standard/Medium

Wattage: is from 3W to 500 watt
Voltage: from the standard line 120 V to the low voltage 12V

Types of household energy saving light bulbs

Incandescent bulbs;

They give a warm comfortable glow that can be enhanced with a dimmer control. The draw back is that they are the most inefficient light bulb. These are the standard pear shaped bulbs that come in - clear, frosted and colors. They are also our main three way bulb for lamps.

Reflector bulbs are used in directional accent lighting, track and recessed lighting. The SB or silvered cap bulb is best for pendants, track fixtures and down lights.

Tubular bulbs are best for pharmacy lamps, task lamps and picture lights. Decorative bulbs are used as chandelier bulbs and for wall sconces more about this in our home lighting section. These are normally flame shaped and colored clear or frosted.

Fluorescent bulbs and tubes - diffuse light evenly in all directions.

These types of bulbs are usually used in kitchens, workshops and laundry rooms.

Clothing stores use them because if you play with the color of the tube you can bring out the colors in fabrics better. This is why when you buy a piece of clothing and take it home the light is different so it doesn't look as good.

Great for broad ambient light and because of their long life and low temperature they are used in soffits, coves and built-in cabinets. Range in wattage from 10 to 25W. Tubes can range from 12 inches to 6 feet.

New on the scene are PL fluorescents they are used for the smaller light fixtures and come in twin tube and quad tube. Circular tubes are for the round ceiling fixtures and pendant lighting, which is a cheaper alternative ambient light used instead of incandescent bulbs.

Most of these smaller tubes now screw right into existing light sockets and have their own mini ballast.

Halogen light Bulbs

Quartz halogen bulbs also referred to as tungsten bulbs contain a gas that produces a brighter whiter beam. They out shine all other types for task lighting and dramatic effects. The down side is they get very hot so you need to pay close attention and only use the specified bulb rated for that particular fixture. They are normally used as spot lights and Christmas lights. Xenon bulbs are new cooler burning bulbs that are much smaller and used in strip lighting and recessed display lights that you see being used with kitchen decor, for more home decor ideas go back to our main page.

Specialty light bulbs

These are your neon lights that the color is produced by a particular gas in a tube or line. Not normally used in the home unless it is in the form of a sign or neon lamp. Cold cathode is a high end light bulb that can be used in valances and coves. Think of it as a tube or rope that bends and shapes to your will. Fiber optics is a light that shine though a filament to give off a certain color. You see this in some decorative lamps that you don't need to produce a lot of light. Referred to as a end lit fiber cable.

High Intensity discharge

Mercury vapor lights are shaped like an oversized light bulb and used in gardens or for security lighting, they produce a strong light. HID bulbs produce a lot of light and use a small amount of power. Normally you see them in street lights or high up on poles in public areas. High pressure sodium bulbs are the normal street lighting and indoors commercially. Low pressure sodium bulbs is even more efficient and used exclusively for highways and security lighting.

If you are using fluorescent tubes like you have in a workshop or the kitchen you can save energy just by not turning the light on and off. Fluorescents are made to stay on so they take more power to turn on. This is normally why you have to keep replacing the ballast and tubes before its time.

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