| The difference in power usage between low energy | | | | as previously mentioned, and the LED, or light |
| light bulbs and conventional light bulbs can be | | | | emitting diode bulb, both provide significant energy |
| surprising and low energy bulbs generally last up to 15 | | | | savings with important differences between the two. |
| times longer. Manufacturers typically produce low | | | | LED bulbs while on the expensive side, are considered |
| energy use bulbs with the same connections (either | | | | the most efficient low energy light bulbs. However |
| screw or bayonet cap) as standard light bulbs. The | | | | the higher cost of the LEDs in addition to the |
| low energy light bulbs will not only reduce your | | | | difficulty with converting standard fixtures and |
| electricity usage but also lower unwanted emissions | | | | fittings have left CFLs as the primary choice for the |
| and carbon footprint. | | | | house and office. |
| These bulbs are based on a compact version of the | | | | LED bulbs generate light due to a semiconductor with |
| fluorescent lamp technology thus establishing the title | | | | added impurities and a process called |
| compact fluorescent lamp or CFL. The new bulbs | | | | electroluminescence. When and electric current is |
| work by employing a difference in voltage between | | | | applied, atoms on one end of the semiconductor |
| the positive and negative terminals of the bulb large | | | | jump across and combine with its oppositely charged |
| enough to cause the electrons to jump the gap | | | | equivalent. When the combination is complete energy |
| between the terminals. Portions of the electrons that | | | | is produced in the form of light and the color of the |
| attempt to jump the terminals do not make it and | | | | light is dependent of the gap size between the two |
| collide with an inert gas. An inert gas is any gas that | | | | terminals. |
| does not react with anything under usual conditions. | | | | Through research and development it is probable that |
| During the collision with the gas, the electrons within | | | | there will be many additional advancements to lighting |
| the gas become excited and release this increased | | | | in the future. The evolution of low energy light bulbs |
| energy in the form of photons, or visible light from | | | | has progressed greatly in such a short amount of |
| the bulb. | | | | time considering the recent emergence of the light |
| Although the single cost of purchasing low energy | | | | bulb in the 1800s. Shoppers today have a much wider |
| light bulbs is typically higher than a conventional bulb, | | | | variety of products when choosing the ideal bulb for |
| the purchase is offset by the longer life span of the | | | | any application and it is best to always do research |
| bulb in addition to the continued electricity savings. Of | | | | before deciding which bulb is best for you. |
| the two main kinds of energy saving bulbs - the CFL | | | | |