As the saying goes, “Work smarter, not harder.” Nothing could be truer when it comes to energy-efficient lighting in your home.
Thanks to technological advances over the past few years, homeowners have been given a multitude of options to illuminate their spaces, save money on energy costs, and do right by Mother Earth. Now, some new players have lit up the scene and are putting the standard incandescent lightbulb quickly in the rearview.
Let’s shed some light on these options and where they fit best.
LED Lighting
Pacing the pack is the versatile, all-around best bet LED, or light-emitting diode. This popular little energy-efficient breakthrough is clearly the standard for the future, evidenced already with its many applications in other things such as computers, televisions, mobile devices, vehicle lights, and traffic signals.
LEDs, which illuminate through the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material, do not contain filaments like the run-of-the-mill incandescent bulb. The result is a cleaner, more energy-efficient process that does not emit heat and can be used in the interior, exterior, and mobile applications. They work particularly well in tight spaces and areas where light is required for long periods of time.
In most cases, LEDs can use anywhere from 75 percent to 90 percent less energy than an incandescent, while lasting 25 times longer as well. Additionally, an LED bulb’s lifespan trumps CFLs threefold.
The only real knock? LEDs are not exactly cost-effective for the residential market, at least not right now. But it is a worthy investment for that home of the future, as production becomes cheaper and the option becomes more viable. (Much like how installing rooftop solar panels can pay for itself down the road.)
Compact Fluorescents (CFLs)
Compact Fluorescents, or CFLs, sit somewhere in-between LEDs and incandescents. Also very versatile but without an instant start, CFLs will improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce utility bills, and they will do it at a fraction of the cost of LEDs. In fact, CFLs cost just a few bucks more than your typical incandescents.
And while they’re not nearly as efficient as LEDs, they still use 66 percent less energy than incandescents and can last up to 10 times longer, too. This amounts to a savings of $30 for each incandescent bulb that you replace with a CFL.
So why aren’t CFLs more popular? Well, these bulbs produce visible light using mercury gas, and they must be disposed of via hazardous waste to prevent contamination of landfills and water systems. Energy efficient? Yes. Eco-friendly? Not really.
The high-efficiency halogen bulb is another lighting option that’s gaining steam. Halogen bulbs, which are essentially incandescents that use halogen gas, are no secret to the market and have been a worthy alternative to standard bulbs for many years.
Although they aren’t on par with LEDs or even CFLs in terms of energy efficiency, halogen bulbs are still a step up from incandescents, using less energy and lasting longer. However, the benefits may be marginal, as halogen bulbs can sometimes burn hotter than incandescents, which may crank up the air conditioning bill.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs are also not the most versatile, and the best applications are on the exterior, such as with floodlights or outdoor living spaces such as the patio, balcony, swimming pool and children’s play area.
When it comes to your home, there likely won’t be one single type of bulb that works across the board. Much will depend on the specific look/ambiance you’re after and the type of room in your home. Big living spaces and common areas will require brighter, more luminous lighting; whereas, a more intimate space like a nook or loft may suit something softer or dimmable.
In the kitchen and bathroom, for instance, bright, crisp lighting works best, especially if there’s a lack of windows and natural lighting. These two areas of the home are occupied quite often, so a practical, beautiful and, yes, efficient solution is most ideal.
Want More Kitchen and Bathroom Lighting Information? Contact Us Today!
When it comes to energy-efficient lighting and design, the kitchen and bath CRATE team can help! We have the experience and know-how to help you design the kitchen or bath of your dreams!
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Scott Monday is co-founder and CEO of kitchenCRATE and bathCRATE. Follow him on Facebook or Linked-In.
