5 Types of Energy-Saving Light Bulbs to Explore For Your Facility

The fact is that we are no longer living in an age where light bulbs are either energy-saving or not – it’s about what kind of energy-saving light bulbs to buy. Advances in lighting and energy technology have made it so. Once you’ve acknowledged this, if you’re wondering where to start with updating your facility’s lighting, you’re in the right place. Here are five types of energy-saving light bulbs to consider for your facility:

Halogen Incandescents 

Halogen incandescent light bulbs that contain a capsule inside the bulb which, in order to save energy, holds gas around a filament. Compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs, when measured in watts, halogen incandescent light bulbs use on average 25% less energy. That means, for example, to produce the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent light bulb, a halogen bulb would require 42 watts of energy. The benefit of halogen bulbs is that they’re much cheaper than other energy-efficient bulbs, come in many different shapes and colors and provide instant light when turned on.

CFLs Part 1

Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLS, fall into two categories: integrated and non-integrated CFLs. Both are said to use about one-fourth of the energy of traditional incandescent light bulbs while lasting ten times longer! Both offer a modest range of color, from white to yellow, and both contain trace amounts of mercury, meaning they need to be recycled after use.

The difference between the two is simple: integrated CFLs include the ballast and bulb in a unit, while non-integrated don’t. This matters when installing and replacing.

CFLs Part 2

CFLs come in all shapes and sizes, including tube shaped (that you see in the ceiling light fixtures of offices and warehouses), spiral, incandescent shaped, globe, candle shaped, post, and reflector. With so much to offer in savings and serving a wide range in purpose, it’s no wonder why CFLs are the most common energy-efficient light bulbs around.

Standard LEDs

Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, like CFLs, fall into multiple categories, including standard, can, flood, and globe. LEDs use the least amount of energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, with 12 watt LED bulbs emitting the same amount of light as a 60 watt traditional. Standard LEDs are the most common, dispersing light widely and are commonly used to light hallways and for fitting common light fixtures.

Can, Flood & Globe LEDs

Can LEDs, which are larger and fit a flat surface, are used for recessed lighting via mounting into ceilings. Flood LEDs, which are mainly used for exterior lighting, emit a strong and wide beam of light to illuminate large areas. Finally, globe LEDs are globe-shaped bulbs that emit light in all directions. This makes them ideal for (and found most commonly in) bathroom vanities.

With so many types, sizes, styles, and purposes, you should have no problem finding the right energy-efficient light bulbs for your facility!