Understanding the Different Types of Light Sources
Posted on Jul 13th 2018
Understanding the Different Types of Light Sources
- By Decorology
- Posted By Marika 7/13/18
Buying a light bulb or lamp is not that simple anymore. With the advancement in technology and increase in environmental awareness, energy conservation has become a paramount concern. It is common knowledge that buying the right bulb or lamp can reduce your energy bills and positively impact the environment. But with the different types of lighting technologies available, which one should you choose?
via Homebunch.com
In this post, we’ll explore the types of light sources to help you choose the best one.
Here are the main light sources used in homes:
1. Incandescent Bulbs
Incandescent bulbs are the oldest and most commonly used light bulbs. They produce light when a wire called a tungsten is heated by electric current passing through it making it very hot that it starts to glow. This makes the bulbs to release a lot of heat and get hot to touch. Consequently, they are inefficient and don’t last very long compared to other sources of visible light.
via Circa Lighting
Although inefficient, incandescent lamps have numerous advantages – they are inexpensive, are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes and give off a warm light with excellent colour rendition.
2. Fluorescent Light Bulbs
These light bulbs are far more efficient than incandescent bulbs. They use a quarter of the energy used by incandescent products to produce a similar amount of light and last 6-5 times longer (6,000-15,000 hours).
via adegadoalbertino.com
Fluorescent light bulbs are filled with mercury vapour that produces UV rays when electricity is applied. There is also a coating on the inside of the bulb which turns the UV rays into visible light. The way fluorescent bulbs work allows them to generate a lot of light but not much heat, making them an energy-efficient option.
Fluorescent lamps are available in a variety of shapes and styles, and each is designed for a specific purpose. The total surface area (size) of the bulb determines the amount of light it produces.
Some of the most common types of fluorescent bulbs include compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), reflector bulbs, floodlight lamps and tube fluorescent lamps.
3. Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs work in a similar way to incandescent bulbs. Unlike the incandescent lamps, they have halogen gas that re-deposits the burnt off tungsten onto the filament for reuse.
via West Elm
These bulbs are more energy efficient, last longer and burn at a higher temperature than the standard incandescent lamps. Halogen lamps are commonly used in recessed lights, pendant lights, and under-cabinet lighting.
4. Light Emitting Diode (LED)
The LED is one of the most energy-efficient and rapidly evolving technologies. LED lamps, especially ENERGY STAR certified lamps, use about 75% less energy and have a longer lifetime (40,000 hours) than incandescent lighting.
LED lamps are very different from other lighting sources such as fluorescent bulbs and incandescent bulbs. Key differences include:
via West Elm
• The direction of light – LED lighting emit light in a specific direction, eliminating the need for diffusers and reflectors that can trap light. This makes LEDs ideal for a variety of uses including task lighting and recessed downlights.
• Heat – LEDs produce very little heat when compared to other light sources.
Generally, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are the most energy-efficient lighting technology you can buy for your home. Additionally, they have a long lifetime, are compact and can be used in a variety of applications.
If you’re looking to reduce your electricity bill, buy quality LED lightings for your home at lights.co.uk. The online store sells a wide variety of quality LED lightings including LED wall lights, pendants lighting, ceiling lights and uplights.