It used to be that you’d see fluorescent lights mostly at your place of work, or when you were out shopping. If you used them at home, they were usually relegated to the basement or garage. People knew that fluorescents illuminated big spaces better and more cheaply than regular bulbs, but the cold, bluish light they gave off seemed too harsh for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.
Throwing light on today’s light bulbs
All that has changed. Generating and purchasing electric power has become so expensive that energy-efficient lighting is now a necessity throughout the house. And Thomas Edison’s 130-year-old incandescent bulb isn’t up to the task any longer.
The US Department of Energy has set strict efficiency standards for light bulbs, which require that new bulbs use a lot less power than old bulbs; the standards take full effect in 2012. (Other governments have passed similar laws.) As it happens, old-fashioned bulbs fall short, because they convert so little of the energy they use into light (most of it turns into heat).
So, you won’t be dropping by the store for “a pack of 60s” the way you used to. On the other hand, you now enjoy a much wider range of light bulbs from which to choose.
Fluorescent technology in particular has seen a lot of advances in recent years, and while LEDs and halogen lights have their advantages, industry leaders point to fluorescents as being the consumer’s best value.
Still cheap to use, fluorescents now come in many shapes and sizes, and the light they emit comes in colors from cool to warm, soft to strong. Best of all, using fluorescents means you’re going to save on your electric bill. Lowe’s and other big retailers can walk you through the choices.
Tubes, spirals, and more
There are two basic types of fluorescents:
- Tubes that come in various lengths and in linear, U-type or circular shapes. These require special fixtures to accommodate them, and a qualified electrician to install the fixtures. Still good for the garage, some of these have made their way into designer kitchens!
- CFLs, or compact fluorescent lamps, that screw into fixtures originally designed to hold incandescent bulbs. This is the now-familiar “spiral” bulb.
CFLs themselves come in a multitude of shapes, strengths, and light colors for almost any lighting requirement imaginable, from desk lamps and ceiling fixtures to candelabras and flood lights. Home Depot explains some of your options here.
Even interior designers are getting into the act, seeing CFLs’ potential as decorative light-sculptures.
Though CFLs are more expensive to buy than conventional bulbs, their cost can be offset by the projected energy savings and the longer life of each bulb. Dimmable and three-way CFLs are available, too.
When you buy, make sure the package has the EPA’s Energy Star® label. And when the bulb finally does burn out, be sure to dispose of it safely – the EPA tells you how.
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