Low Energy Light Bulbs

by HDME Staff

One of the most successful efforts toward standard household environmental friendliness has been low energy light bulbs. The standard light bulb had become an automatic choice for most consumers. Generally, purchasing light bulbs just meant finding the right wattage and price, while making sure that it was the right shape.

In most lamps, one light bulb was the same as the next. But then came “compact fluorescent” low energy light bulbs. They began as large, ugly, expensive products that didn’t carry much appeal. However, in a very short period of time, they became much more attractive and could be used in many more kinds of lamps because their size was decreased. Even better, for most people, was that with their sudden popularity came a sudden drop in price.

This lowered product cost meant that you could not only save money at the cash register, but you were also saving money throughout the year because they use only a fraction of the energy consumed by standard incandescent light bulbs. Moreover, they last a lot longer than the old bulbs, meaning that they don’t cost as much in replacements and don’t cause the nuisance of needing to be changed as frequently.

With all the saving and the fact that using these bulbs allows you to do your small part for the environment, the low energy light bulbs have become the new automatic choice for millions upon millions of people. It is an easy option, without any drawbacks that would cause any real debate when trying to make the decision between the incandescent bulbs and the low energy light bulbs.

In truth, the technology for the compact fluorescent bulb has actually been around for several decades, first arriving on the store shelves in the 1980’s. Even though they could save some money in the long term, the initial output of cost was so high for such an ugly bulb that virtually nobody bought them for their homes. When they became more visually attractive and cheaper to the consumer, though, that situation quickly changed.

The money savings did get the ball rolling, but it was the green movement in combination with the lower cost over time that truly made the sales spike. Governments around the world from Australia to England, Canada and the United States, are commonly encouraging the use of these low energy light bulbs and advertising their benefits for greater awareness.

In many of these countries, these new low energy light bulbs have become so popular that there are plans to gradually phase out the incandescent light bulbs. Australia, for example, plans to have incandescent bulbs removed from their store shelves by the end of this year.

The fact that the technology is always improving helps to make the availability of different sizes, styles, shapes, and brightness levels possible. They may just be low energy light bulbs, but over time, they’re making a tremendous difference.

The Big Question for YOU!
What’s been your experience with low energy light bulbs? Tell us about the type of bulbs you purchased and if you noticed a reduction in your electricity bill.

Comments for Low Energy Light Bulbs

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Not liking low energy light bulbs
by: Mike

I switched about 3 months ago to them and I have to say that I don't like the low energy light bulbs at all. It's like the light they give off is eerie. I am hoping that someone can fix this and come out with a low energy light bulb that gives off good light.

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Mercury?
by: Tori

I've been using low energy light bulbs for years. I had no idea they had mercury in them. Is that a hazard if they bust? That makes me uneasy. I use them to try to save on the electric bill, but I don't particularly like the light they emit.

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I Know
by: Irene D

I know that the low energy light bulbs are becoming a fact of life and I know you can save energy by using them. But I really, really like my old incandescent light bulbs. I do appreciate the fact that they new ones are coming down in price. They are going to take some getting used to.

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We use low energy light bulbs
by: Santana

We've been using them in our house for a few years, and when we started, we noticed that the one's we put in the ceiling fans tended to burn out really quick. But they don't do that anymore though. It's weird.

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Better than they used to be.
by: OneTwin

We don't have much choice now because in Europe it's illegal to sell them, but they are better than they used to be. It's difficult to know how to dispose of them though because of the mercury they contain.

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They take some getting used to
by: Delores

I grew up on the warm light of incandescents and I do agree with the others that low energy light bulbs do take some getting used to. I heard that we will no longer have the option to buy incandescent bulbs in the near future, so I suppose we'd better get used to it. On a positive note, they have drastically gone down in price over the past few years and they are cheaper to run.

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I Have Mixed Feelings
by: Jewlya

We changed all of our light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs, and it is true that they save you money, but I don't like the type of light that they give off. I find that they actually make my eyes hurt, especially if I am reading.

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Are they good
by: AmberT

I have always thought that lower energy light bulbs put off less light. Am I wrong? They are also more expensive. Ok, they might save money in the long run right with the electric bill. I'm going to go buy a couple and give them a try.

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Good for some rooms
by: Ginny

I like the fact that low energy light bulbs are an easy way to do a little for the green movement. I don't mind the different light they produce, though at the moment I use them in the garage and playroom only.

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Unattractive light
by: Kayla

I have a few low energy light bulbs in my house. They were given to me and I find the light has a strange hue to it. The light is dim and unattractive as well. I'd rather have the warm lighting that incandescents provide.

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Mixed Feeling
by: Trevor

I have mixed feelings about low energy light bulbs. Although I like the fact that it saves energy, they don't seem to do a good job in my ceiling fan lights.

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