The 5 types of light bulbs (and which one to choose for your home)

A house generates, approximately, about 990 euros or almost 1,200 dollars of annual energy consumption. Of all this budget, 35% corresponds to the use of electricity. We go further because a home, on average, consumes 9,922 kilowatt-hours of light per year, a value that is equivalent to 0.85 tons of oil.

We take for granted that electricity is an unlimited resource, but government sources highlight that 13% of the world's population still does not have access to electricity. Between the clear economic impact at the individual level that the lighting cost supposes and this last data, perhaps it is time to rethink whether or not we abuse the light output or do not fully optimize the types of bulbs present in our homes.

Do not worry, because in today's opportunity we present the 5 types of light bulbs on the market and which one best suits each individual situation. Stay with us, because you will surely discover how to optimize the lighting space in your home after reading these lines.

• We recommend you read: "15 tips to save when you live alone"

The light bulb and its importance

An electric bulb or lamp is defined as a device that produces light from electrical energy. This conversion from electricity to electromagnetic radiation can be achieved by various means, but the most typical is that of the incandescent light bulb. We will tell you quickly.

In this case, the bulb looks a lot like a torch (saving the distance), since the light-emitting mechanism is based on heating a metal, tungsten, through an electrical current conducted by a fine filament inside the crystal of the light bulb. In this way, the tungsten incandescent and radiates light. As simple as that.

It is estimated that, on average, a human being discards 5 light bulbs annually. This, without a doubt, shows the enormous use that we give to these light sources on a day-to-day basis. In addition, today it is estimated that humans have generated technology to produce light with an efficiency of 10 to 70%.

The different types of light bulbs and which ones to choose

Once we have made a short preface on the world of lighting, it is time to get down to business. We are going to present you the 5 types of light bulbs and, next to each one of them, the luminous efficacy of each light source. This parameter, also known as luminous efficiency (η), is defined as the relationship between the luminous flux emitted and the power consumed by said source.

In units of the international system, the luminous efficiency is measured in lumen per watt (lm / w), measurements of the luminous flux and the unit of the electrical power. Without further ado, let's get to it.

1. Incandescent bulb (η = 10-15)

Undoubtedly, the most famous type of light bulb, but also the worst. We have explained its operation in previous lines, but we have left an essential information: the 80% of electrical energy is dissipated as heat and only the remaining 15-20% is converted into light. For this reason, it is considered a very inefficient lamp. As a benefit, it is that it is the cheapest type of bulb. Its duration is 1,000 hours.

We cannot tell you in which situation they are suitable for your home, as incandescent bulbs are no longer produced in the European Union since 2012, in compliance with the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125 / CE, after more than 130 years of existence. These measures have been taken in order to achieve greater energy use globally since, of course, incandescent lamps were a real waste.

2. Halogen bulb (η = 25)

The halogen bulb is the natural evolution of the incandescent and is present in homes today. In this case, a halogen compound (such as iodine or bromine) is added to the previously described system and thus it is possible to maintain a regeneration cycle due to a chemical equilibrium. This improves the performance of the filament inside the bulb and lengthens its useful life.

The life of this lamp is 1,500-2,000 up to 4,000 hours and halogen bulbs have evolved, as in some cases they can offer up to 40% more light than incandescent bulbs. Halogen bulbs are recommended, above all, in spaces that require intense lighting.

3. Fluorescent (η = 60)

Undoubtedly, fluorescent tubes knock out incandescent and halogen bulbs, since they consume 80% of electricity for the same light emission as these and above. have a useful life of 6,000 to 9,000 hours, that is, 6 to 9 times more than conventional lamps.

This type of lamp consists of a thin glass tube lined with various substances called phosphors. (although they generally do not contain the element phosphor), which emit light when receiving radiation ultraviolet. This ultraviolet radiation is produced by the effects of electrical discharge on substances such as mercury vapor or argon gas, although we will not dwell on the chemical characteristics of the process.

As a clear advantage, we can highlight that fluorescent lamps need much less energy to illuminate a space, which translates into reduced energy consumption. In addition to this, as we have already said, their duration is much longer and, as if that were not enough, they can also have different colors depending on the purpose for which they are intended.

The disadvantages are few but also very clear: fluorescents are much more expensive than halogen bulbs. In addition, over time they can fail and blink and abuse a continuous on and off drastically reduces their useful life. For this reason, the use of fluorescent lamps is only recommended in spaces where a continuous light source is required. In rooms where the bulb is constantly being turned on and off, fluorescent is not a good option.

4. Energy saving light bulbs (η = 85)

Energy saving light bulbs are really compact fluorescents that try to replace incandescent and halogen lamps with few changes in the structure of the installation and with less consumption.

For example, for 249 lumens, the electrical power required for an incandescent light bulb is 25 W and for a low-consumption light it is 5 W. The benefits are clear. The only downside to this type of light source is its price, but of course, it pays for itself., as it has the same useful life as a conventional fluorescent.

5. LED bulbs (η = up to 150)

The LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when it is polarized directly and is crossed by an electrical current. We all think of those flickering emitters present in machines like television, which are red when it is off and green when we are watching it. It is a much more efficient light source than those mentioned so far and, surprisingly enough, with about 12 LEDs you can build the equivalent of a light bulb. As if that weren't enough, these bulbs have a lifespan of about 50,000 hours, a value that a halogen can not even close to.

It is expected that in the coming years we will reach the “LED era” where 90% of the representation of the lighting production market is made up of these types of bulbs. Of course, there is no possible contraindication to this type of technology, since energy saving is both a global and individual need. Without a doubt, this is the variant that we recommend the most on the entire list.

Resume

As you have been able to read in these lines, there are 5 types of light bulbs, each one with its uses, advantages and disadvantages. Even so, It's hard to fault an emerging industry as promising as LED bulbs. Yes, today they may be more expensive than conventional halogens, but we hope that in the In the next few years, the market prioritizes energy savings beyond a relative lowering of prices.

Bibliographic references

• How does a light bulb work? Elespañol.com. Picked up on November 6 at https://www.aboutespanol.com/como-funciona-una-bombilla-1240063#:~:text=Una%20bombilla%20incandescente%2C%20de%20las, in% 20 incandescence% 20e% 20radiates% 20light.
• Annex I: types of lamps and their characteristics, Navarra.es. Picked up on November 6 at https://www.navarra.es/NR/rdonlyres/EF3E86AF-CD31-4A63-8137-6F4338513B14/319632/AnexoI4.pdf
• Every year an average of 5 light bulbs are thrown per person, interempresas.net. Picked up on November 6 at https://www.interempresas.net/Reciclaje/Articulos/152771-Cada-ano-se-tiran-una-media-de-5-bombillas-por-persona.html
• 13% of the world population still does not have access to electricity, THE COUNTRY. Picked up on November 6 at https://elpais.com/economia/2018/05/02/actualidad/1525257286_099135.html
• The led era, smartlightining.es. Picked up on November 6 at https://smart-lighting.es/la-eficiencia-del-led-o-rendimiento-luminico-por-alve/#:~:text=Los%20LED%20de%20luz%20blanca, w% 20de% 20today% 20en% 20d% C3% ADa.
• Electric lamp, Wikipedia. Picked up on November 6 at https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A1mpara_el%C3%A9ctrica
• Types of light bulbs we can find, The UN refugee agency, acnur.org. Picked up on November 6 at https://eacnur.org/blog/tipos-bombillas-nos-podemos-encontrar/