Which energy-saving lightbulbs are the best?

Asked by sarahsugs (2906

) January 1st, 2009

I am doing my best to switch to energy-saving lightbulbs. However I keep getting frustrated when the box says “natural light” or “clean white light” and it ends up giving off a horrible sickly florescent yellow. Some of them are also extraordinarily expensive (like $10–15 per bulb) while others are cheap (3 bulbs for $5) and I don’t know why. Then there’s lumens vs. watts. Can someone break it all down for me?

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4 Answers

try cfls
they last like 10 times longer and dont look any different
good luck

okgowireless (47

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Lumens is a measure of the light output. The higher the number, the brighter the bulb.
Watts is a measure of power usage.

BE SURE TO LOOK AT THE SOCKET FOR THE WATT RATING. PUTTING IN A BULB OF HIGHER WATTAGE CAN SCREW UP YOUR STUFF, OR CAUSE A FIRE!!

Typically: the higher the watts, the higher the Lumens. Look for the highest lumens per (highest allowed) wattage. This will be your best-bet.

blastfamy (2174

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Compact fluorescent bulbs are efficient, but will be obsolete in about two years (replaced by LEDs). LED bulbs are even more efficient, have longer lifespans, burn cooler and do not contain mercury. As soon as the LED bulb industry gears up for mass production, the cost of LEDS will drop dramatically.

Then, light-emitting flat plastic panels will render LEDs obsolete, but that will take 10+ years.

steelmarket (3603

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@steelmarket, true dat, but I think you’d be hard pressed to find an LED bulb for a std. socket… maybe in a few years.

blastfamy (2174

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