Lightbulbs That Conserve Energy

• Energy-efficient light bulbs can cut the electricity bill and benefit the environment. Shana Novak/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Energy conservation is an increasingly common criterion for selecting household goods, from major appliances like washers and dryers all the way down to light bulbs. Using products that consume less energy can mean significant savings on electricity bills as well as decreased demand for fossil fuels to supply that electricity. The U.S. Government's Energy Star program provides helpful guidelines for choosing light bulbs that are energy efficient.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) are the primary energy-saving light bulb, earning the government's Energy Star rating in 1999. Within the broad category of CFLs, there are various product designs that suit the needs of most household and commercial lighting projects.

Types & Shapes of CFLs

• A-Shape CFL bulbs are designed to resemble this traditional incandescent bulb. light bulb image by Photosani from Fotolia.com

  Spiral: the most commonly seen CFL, it looks like a tightly coiled spiral

  A-Shape: a spiral bulb covered by glass shaped to look more like a traditional incandescent lamp

  Globe: a spiral shaped bulb covered by spherical glass that can be used for decorative purposes

  Tubed: the original design of CFL bulbs, resembles old TV tubes

  Candle: more decorative and generally smaller, tube or spiral shaped bulb covered by glass resembling a candle flame that can be used in small light fixtures or flameless candles

  Reflector: smaller indoor and larger outdoor bulbs that are encased with reflective metal at the stem end to provide directional light (also commonly known as flood lights)

Benefits of CFLs

• By reducing wattage, CFLs use roughly 3/4 less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. They are also designed to last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Thus, purchasing a CFL bulb will save you money on your energy bill by drawing less power, and save you money by reducing the replacement frequency of your bulbs. CFLs also produce less heat than a standard bulb, which allows for easier handling and can help save on home cooling costs. Most manufacturers estimate cost savings over the lifetime of a CFL bulb at between $30 and $40.

  Energy-saving light bulbs can work with a dimmer switch, and come in the same light colors (i.e. bright white, soft white) as standard bulbs.

How CFLs Work

• The characteristic spiral tubes of an energy-saving bulb contain gas activated by an electric current to produce light. Specialist Light Bulb image by tmarven from Fotolia.com

  Unlike a traditional incandescent bulb that burns a filament, giving off light and heat, CFLs utilize a gas that's inert until electricity activates it. The gas produces invisible ultraviolet rays that shine through the white glass tubes to create visible light. Very little energy is wasted as heat as a result.

  CFLs draw less wattage from the power source to provide the same amount of light as a traditional bulb. For instance, a 9W compact fluorescent bulb yields the same amount of light as a standard 40W bulb, but draws 31 fewer watts.