Comparison of CFL Light Bulbs With Incandescent Light Bulbs

For years the standard household light bulb was incandescent. Lighting technology has evolved and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are becoming commonplace. Compact fluorescent bulbs have many advantages over incandescent bulbs.

Incandescent Bulb Technology

An incandescent bulb works by running electricity through a filament until it glows. This is very inefficient since most of the electrical energy is converted to heat.

Compact Fluorescent Light

A compact fluorescent bulb works by sending electricity through the tube causing the argon gas to glow which makes the phosphor coating emit light.

Energy Efficiency

Compact fluorescent bulbs are much more energy efficient than an incandescent bulb. A 100 watt incandescent bulb has a 1,600 lumen light output. Compact fluorescent bulbs only use 23 to 30 watts of energy for the same light output.

Specialty Light Bulbs

When compact fluorescent bulbs first came out they had a somewhat limited use since they didn't work with dimmers or three way fixtures. As the technology improves, bulbs are being developed for these and other applications including smaller sizes and outdoor lighting.

Bulb Shapes

Compact fluorescent bulbs now come in almost as many shapes as incandescent bulbs so you can use them in exposed fixtures like candelabras or sconces.

References

• energystar.gov: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
• energystar.gov: How Much Light?
• gelighting.com: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs