How to choose the right energy-saving lamps. How to choose an energy-saving lamp? Which lamps are energy saving?
In the context of the ever-increasing price of electricity, we strive to save money and at the same time use normal lighting that does not hurt the eyes, is bright enough and does not cause irritation. That is why energy-efficient devices are the best solution for those who want to use high-quality light economically. From this material you will learn which lamps are the most energy-saving, what types currently exist, the better a particular type is, and whether their cost is really fully worth it.
Energy saving lamps: which ones are better
To understand which lamps are the most energy-saving, let’s compare them with the usual incandescent light bulbs that are already familiar to us all, or, as they were also called, “Ilyich light bulbs.” By purchasing one such device, in just a month you will understand how profitable it is, how pleasing to the eye and how economical it is. Compared to a conventional incandescent lamp they:
- They consume less energy but give the same light output. That is, the efficiency is of this device much higher. Unlike an incandescent light bulb, which produces an efficiency of no more than 18–20%, such a product achieves maximum performance of no less than 70–80%. In simpler terms, out of every hundred watts an ordinary lamp, working at full power and heating the spiral, produces only eighteen to twenty percent of light.
- They last longer and have a longer warranty period. Any store that sells energy-saving light bulbs will provide you with a guarantee for a certain service life. In some varieties it can be about twenty years. Considering how often ordinary lamps burn out, this is very beneficial, because you can always replace a burnt-out energy-saving device under warranty.
- Quite safe. All energy-saving lamps (except the halogen type) do not have direct contact connections, while the Ilyich light bulb has all contacts connected by a spiral. Therefore, in this case, a short circuit is practically impossible.
- They do not carry such a load on the general apartment network as ordinary ones. This is also one of the safety indicators; thanks to the non-overloaded network, other household appliances will not be affected.
If we consider all these devices regarding their effect on human vision, energy-saving lamps, incandescent lamps, daylight, then they all flicker with a certain periodicity during their operation. This is due to the way the electron pulse passes through them. This is not noticeable to the naked eye, but upon detailed study, scientists discovered that:
- The cold spectrum affects vision more than usual and because of this, the retina is destroyed.
- Brightness and increased flicker in fluorescent lamps affect the brain and the stability of the nerve ganglia. People who work in an office with such lighting are 30 times more likely to seek help from psychoanalysts.
- According to the latest data from ophthalmologists, the optimal brightness is considered to be 2700–3100 K. This is good for both the living room and the children's room. Therefore, when choosing a light bulb, take this into account.
- If the lamp is located opposite the mirror, it affects vision an order of magnitude higher. It is best to install energy-saving light bulbs near mirror surfaces and glass doors. By paying attention to your appearance, putting yourself in order before going out to the store or for a walk, your eyes and brain will not be so tired.
If we talk in more detail about what they are and what they are, then let's move on to the next point of our material.
What types of energy-saving lamps are there?
By definition, an energy efficient lamp is special device for uniform light distribution, powered by mains power. Compared to its analogues, this product has an increased level of light output and significantly saves electricity.
Such economical devices are linear (LL) and compact (CFL). They all contain mercury and LED substances. A common feature of linear and compact fluorescent lamps can be considered tangible savings in electrical energy consumption. And at the same time, they fill the space with much more light than conventional incandescent lamps. The latter are gradually going out of use, as many countries around the world have recently set a course for the operation of energy-efficient devices due to their overall safety and cost-effectiveness.
Which lamps are energy-saving?
Energy-saving fluorescent lamps include compact and linear lamps, which differ from each other in technical indicators and functions. Let's take a closer look at them to understand which energy-saving lamps are better for the home:
- CFL (compact fluorescent lamps) It is characterized by an arched shape, which allows it to be placed in small lamps. They are almost always used at home, being an optimal replacement for conventional incandescent lamps. They are often included in the package of non-standard lighting fixtures. Such a light bulb contains inert gases (argon and neon, known to many), as well as mercury vapor. The outer casing is finished with phosphor. Due to the collision of electrons with mercury components, outwardly imperceptible UV radiation is released, which turns into scattered light (this is facilitated by the phosphor coating). Compact lamps consist of three parts: a base for connecting to the electrical network, an electronic control device for igniting and maintaining the light bulb. It makes the transition from a 220 W power supply to that required for stable operation of the lamp without flickering. The third component of the device is the bulb, which is the outer shell of the lamp. Due to the differences in these elements, the type of CFL is also determined: for example, by the color of the radiation, the features of the base (there are 2D categories, often installed in shower stalls, E27 - for a regular cartridge, E14 - for a smaller cartridge, E40 - for a large cartridge).
- Linear fluorescent lamps (LFL) They can be circular, straight, or a specific U-variation. Straight-line devices have the shape of long glass tubes, at the ends of which there are glass legs, where, in turn, electrodes are fixed. There is a phosphor coating on the inner surface of the lamp, and the tube cavity itself is filled with inert gases and mercury. The safety of people from the harmful evaporation of mercury is guaranteed by hermetically sealing the lamp. Linear lamps differ in terms of the diameter and length of the tube, and the width of the base element. As a rule, the larger the dimensions of the LL, the greater the electricity consumption. Often, such luminaires are used in manufacturing plants and enterprises, in offices and places of public importance. Compact fluorescent lamps have become most popular among consumers, and their linear alternative is slowly going out of production.
Proven benefits of energy efficient lamps
Summarizing all of the above, I would like to emphasize that the use of energy-saving lighting devices in everyday life or at work has many advantages, among which the following are especially noticeable:
- According to manufacturers of lighting devices, the use of energy-saving lamps can reduce electricity costs by up to 80%. The luminous flux of these devices is much higher than that of conventional incandescent lamps.
- Energy efficient lamps have a long service life. This is more than 10 times longer than ordinary light bulbs last. Such a long operating time is also a big plus for placing energy-saving lamps in places where frequent changes of light bulbs are very difficult (on high ceilings, between flights of stairs, etc.).
- Produce less heat compared to conventional lamps. Due to this, it is advisable to install small CFLs with a high power rating, especially in complex designs: sconces, chandeliers and twisted forms of lamps. Economical lamps will not melt the wires and plastic elements of the socket, which sometimes happens when using ordinary lamps.
- The light from energy-saving lamps is much healthier for vision because it is distributed evenly. A uniform glow is obtained due to the design of the lamp: the area of their body is larger than that of the spiral of conventional light bulbs.
- A choice of different color temperatures is possible. Lamps 2700K give white color, 6400K - cool white, 4200K - daylight. The specified data is measured on the Kelvin scale.
For more information about choosing energy-saving lamps, watch the video:
It is difficult to imagine how a century and a half ago humanity managed without lighting lamps. After the advent of this miracle of technology, for a long time we were content with ordinary incandescent lamps, but they, like candles and kerosene lamps, are already fading into oblivion. They are being replaced by more economical lamps that consume less electricity and last for years. But how can we, who are accustomed to focusing only on the power of an ordinary lamp and its base, choose the right energy-saving lamp for our home and apartment, since there are a huge number of them on store shelves? We were helped to figure it out by real experts in this field, employees of the online store 220svet.ru, who have been helping Russians make their lives brighter for several years in a row and are selling various kinds of lamps and fixtures.
The store delivers products to all regions of Russia, and over many years of operation it has managed to establish cooperation with major manufacturers, so it offers its customers competitive prices. The company sells a huge number of lamps different types and power, the entire range can be found on the page https://220svet.ru/catalog/lampochki/. In addition, the online store sells floor lamps, sconces, spotlights, chandeliers, table lamps and other lighting items, offering customers a guarantee on all products.
No. 1. When can you not do without energy-saving lamps?
The whole world has recognized that energy-saving light bulbs are the future, but cheap incandescent light bulbs are still sold en masse. So which lamps are best to use? For lamps that operate at least 2-3 hours a day, it is better to take energy-saving lamps. In this case, the purchase will pay off within a couple of years, and then full savings will begin.
When we are talking about a lamp that is turned on infrequently and for a few minutes a day (for example, in basements and attics), then it will be more economical to use an incandescent lamp, at least while they are still on sale. By the way, the government of the country has already limited the sale of incandescent lamps with a power of more than 100 W and its next step will most likely be a ban on lamps with a power of more than 50 W. 
No. 2. Types of energy saving lamps
Energy-saving lamps include:
- fluorescent lamps;
- LED lamps.
Looking ahead, we note that LED lamps are superior to fluorescent lamps in all respects: they are more durable, completely harmless, do not flicker, and their luminous flux does not decrease over time. LED lamps lose only in terms of price, but they are more economical in operation.
Both versions of energy-saving lamps differ from incandescent lamps in that all electricity is converted into visible light, while “Ilyich light bulbs” lose a significant part of the energy by converting it into heat. 
Sometimes energy-saving lamps include halogen lamps., which is not entirely correct. They are 2-3 times more durable than conventional incandescent lamps, but are still significantly inferior to their LED and fluorescent counterparts. A halogen lamp is actually the same as an incandescent lamp, only filled with bromine or iodine vapor (substances belonging to the halogen group). In a conventional lamp, the tungsten atoms from which the coil is made begin to evaporate at high temperatures and deposit on colder surfaces. This is the main reason for their low durability. If you add halogens to the flask, they will react with tungsten, and the resulting compounds will then decompose into their original components: part of the tungsten returns to the spiral, and durability increases.
The service life of halogen lamps is 2-4 thousand hours, but when used together with a dimmer, the durability increases to 8-12 thousand hours. Such lamps have high quality color renditions, they are small, can be performed in interesting forms and do not require specific disposal. Not the longest service life and low efficiency still do not allow halogen lamps to be classified as energy-saving. 
No. 3. Fluorescent energy saving lamps
Fluorescent lamps are 5-20 times more durable than incandescent lamps and use 75% less electricity to produce the same light output. Visible light technology this is fundamentally different. In fluorescent lamps, an electrical discharge passes through vapors of mercury and inert gases, causing ultraviolet glow. When it passes through a layer of phosphor applied to the inner surface of the lamp bulb, it produces visible light.
It is more correct to call those lamps that are used in everyday life compact fluorescent lamps(CFL), since non-compact ones are also manufactured, which have very long bulbs and are used in large rooms. CFLs, as a rule, have a bulb in the shape of a twisted spiral and traditional screw bases, so these lamps can easily replace conventional incandescent lamps. 
Advantages of fluorescent lamps:
Disadvantages of fluorescent lamps:
- the need for careful operation and proper disposal, since such lamps contain mercury, the amount of which can range from 2.3 mg to 1 g;
- sensitivity to voltage drops and frequent starts, which reduces service life. Experts do not recommend using fluorescent lamps in public places or equipping them with motion sensors. It is better not to turn off these lamps if you leave the room for a short time. The optimal indicator for achieving the greatest durability is 5 inclusions per day;
- The lamp needs some time to start shining at its maximum capacity. At room temperature this takes about 30-45 seconds;
- over time, the luminous flux of the lamp will decrease, which is associated with degradation of the phosphor, so it is better to take a lamp with a small power reserve;
- unpleasant flickering;
- complex connection diagram;
- sensitivity to high temperatures, so it is better not to use such lamps in luminaires that limit heat dissipation.
When using fluorescent lamps at low temperatures, their light output will be lower than declared. Such lamps cannot be used with dimmers. It is very rare on sale, but you can find lamps with adjustable brightness, but they cost several times more than regular ones and do not have a long service life. 
No. 4. LED lamps
LED lamps are the pinnacle of light bulb evolution. They do not have the disadvantages characteristic of their analogues, they consume 6-10 times less electricity than incandescent lamps, and are several times more durable than fluorescent lamps. There are no tungsten spirals or harmful substances in such lamps - the light source is an LED, the complex principle of which allows one to dispense with the use of dangerous and toxic compounds.
The LED bulb can be part of a single piece or sold as a replacement bulb. The latter becomes the object of our attention. 
Basic advantages of LED lamps:
Basic flaw Such lamps are expensive. There is an opportunity to save money - lamps from nameless Chinese manufacturers, but it is better not to buy them. Moreover, many Chinese and even some domestic manufacturers somewhat overestimate the characteristics of their lamps - it is better to take products from famous European companies. LED lamps are sensitive to high temperatures, so they cannot be used in saunas. 
No. 5. Lamp power and luminous flux
Conventional incandescent lamps have been in use for so long that when choosing, we are accustomed to looking mainly at power as a key indicator. We all understand how a 40 W or 60 W lamp will shine. The power of energy-saving lamps is several times lower (4-25 W), so for many, purchasing a suitable lamp raises many questions. Manufacturers make this task easier for us and indicate on the packaging the equivalent power, i.e. tell us how an economical light bulb will shine, comparing it with the luminous flux of an incandescent lamp of a certain power (for example, on a fluorescent lamp it may be written “8 W corresponds to 40 W”).
The manufacturer's concern is pleasant, but educated people should understand that lamp power and light output are not the same thing, and the familiar watt is a unit of power. Luminous flux is measured in lumens. To make it easier to understand: a 40 W incandescent lamp gives a luminous flux of 470-500 lm, 60 W – 700-850 lm, 75 W – 900-1200 lm. Now, when studying the packaging of an economical lamp, you can already roughly imagine how it will shine. 
When choosing a lamp with the required brightness level, you can also rely on power equivalent. For fluorescent lamps you can use a factor of 5: if it is indicated that the lamp has a power of 12 W, then this means that it will shine like a 60 W incandescent lamp. For LED this coefficient is about 7-8: a 10-12 W lamp will shine like a 75 W incandescent lamp. 
The dependence of the luminous flux on power allows us to judge the efficiency of the lamp and its light output, which is measured in lm/W. Incandescent lamps for every 1 W of electricity consumed provide only 10-16 lm of ceiling light, i.e. have a light output of 10-16 lm/W. Halogen lamps have a light output of 15-22 lm/W, fluorescent lamps - 40-80 lm/W, LED lamps - 60-90 lm/W.
No. 6. Color temperature
A lamp with the same power can produce light of different shades, warmer or cooler. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and must be indicated on the lamp packaging. On sale you can find lamps with temperatures from 2700 K to 6500 K: The lower the value, the warmer and yellower the light will be. 
When choosing, you can focus on the following standards:
It is undesirable to use lamps with different color temperatures in the same room - this will cause discomfort, and if it is constant, vision problems may arise. 
No. 7. Color rendering index
The light source can greatly influence a person's perception of colors. We all know how different the same shade can be under different lighting. Sunlight is considered the reference, its color rendering index CRI is 100. For artificial light this figure is slightly lower, but the closer it is to 100, the more correct and natural colors we will see. All modern energy-saving lamps have CRI 80 or more– this is normal color rendition. 
Color rendering and color temperature in the markings are encrypted three-digit code, for example, 830, where the first digit indicates the color rendering index (in our case it comes out to CRI 80), and the last two indicate the color temperature (3000 K). 
No. 8. Service life
The manufacturer usually indicates durability in hours, but this parameter may not be entirely clear to the average user - it is more convenient for us to count in years. On average, under normal operating conditions, an LED lamp will last 10-15 years, a fluorescent lamp – about 5 years. Manufacturers provide a guarantee for LED lamps.
No. 9. Base type
Still considered the most popular classic Edison base with a diameter of 27 mm, which is denoted E27. Most household lamps are designed to install lamps with just such a base. This was the standard for incandescent lamps, and manufacturers of energy-saving lamps did everything for user convenience and mass-produced lamps with an E27 base. Some sconces, table lamps and small lamps may require lamps with a smaller base - E14. Large, powerful luminaires usually use lamps with a base E40. If it is difficult to determine which base a lamp is needed with, you can go to the store with an old incandescent lamp.
Compact lamps with pin contacts. In them, the base is marked with the letter G and the number following it, which indicates the distance between the pins in mm, for example G10. 
No. 10. Bulb shape and brightness adjustment
If it is necessary for the lamp to provide not only light, but also perform a decorative function, then it is better to choose led lamps, which may be in the form candles, ball etc. Halogen and incandescent lamps provide even greater choice in this regard, but you won’t be able to save money with them. Fluorescent lamps They are produced only in the form of spirals and tubes. 
If things are not so bad with the shape of the bulb of energy-saving lamps, then with brightness adjustment everything is much worse. Of course, it is possible to find a sample that can be connected to a dimmer, but it will not be cheap, and an economical lamp still does not implement all the possibilities for adjusting the brightness. If you want to use a dimmer, it is better to take a halogen lamp.
In conclusion
To ensure that the energy-saving lamp meets your expectations, buy products from well-known manufacturers(Philips, OSRAM, GE, Ecola) and ask about the warranty period. A normal LED lamp will have a warranty of 2-3 years, not 6 months.
Power, equivalent power and luminous flux
The power of energy-saving lamps is very small - from 4 W, and at first it is difficult to navigate: how much light will it give? We know very well how a regular incandescent lamp with a power of 40, 60, 75 or 95 W shines, and the lamps are designed for incandescent lamps of a certain power. Therefore, when choosing an energy-saving lamp, you need to pay attention to the power equivalent written on the packaging. For example, a power of 4.5–6 W is the equivalent of 40 W for an incandescent lamp, 6–10 W is the equivalent of 60 W. The boxes usually have inscriptions in Russian: for example, “5.5 W corresponds to 50 W,” but in English it is also easy to understand: “5.5 W similar to 50 W.”
Pay attention to the equivalent power
True, for some types of lamps, experts advise looking not so much at the power and equivalent, but at the luminous flux: power may not directly affect the brightness of the lamp, and there is no single standard for the relationship between power and brightness.
How do you know how much light a lamp will produce? This parameter best reflects the luminous flux measured in lumens. If you want an LED lamp to produce the same light as a 60 W incandescent lamp, then you need a lamp with a luminous flux of about 600 lm. If you want to replace a 40 W lamp, then the luminous flux should be 400 Lm, etc.
Color temperature
The lower the color temperature, the “yellower” and warmer the light; the more, the whiter (or bluer) and “colder”. It is measured in kelvins, just like ordinary temperature (kelvins are like degrees Celsius, only their zero is not at the freezing point of water, but at absolute zero), but you don’t have to think about it, just correlate the numbers.
Conventional incandescent light bulbs have a color temperature of less than 3000 K: about 2700–2800 K, so when switching from incandescent lamps to energy-saving ones, many feel that the light has become less pleasant, harsh, and irritating.
For energy-saving lamps, the warmest light will be 3000–3500 K; such lamps glow yellowish. If this parameter is from 4000 to 4500 K, then the light will be white and cold. In principle, this is a good option for “public places”; you can have such light at home if necessary, but you won’t relax with it. There is an even higher color temperature - 5000-6500, such lamps are not suitable for household lighting, only for hangars, warehouses, shops, salons, etc.
Warm or cold?
Color rendering index (CRI)
The light source affects the perception of color by the human eye. Sunlight is considered the reference; its color rendering index is 100. The closer the CRI is to this value, the more correct and natural colors we will see when illuminated by a lamp. For an energy-saving lamp, it is good if the CRI is greater than 80.
Service life
The “lifetime” of a lamp can be measured in hours (2000, 6000, 15000 hours), but this is more understandable to technical specialists, and it is convenient for consumers to count it in years, based on certain average conditions of use. Thus, LED lamps can last up to 15 years; luminescent - on average 5 years, but can be longer if correct operation; halogen - much less.
Pay attention to service life
Flask shape
Do you want not just a light bulb, but a beautiful and original one - a ball, a candle? LED and halogen lamps provide the greatest scope for imagination. Gas-discharge and their household subtype - luminescent - come in the form of either tubes or spirals.
Standard screw bases
Energy-saving lamps with socket E40, E27 and E14 can be installed in sockets designed for a regular incandescent lamp. E27 is a standard household cartridge, has a 27 mm thread, E14 is a reduced cartridge, it has a 14 mm thread.
The screw bases of energy-saving lamps correspond to the bases of conventional incandescent lamps
Pin sockets
For home use, lamps with pin contacts are sometimes used; in their markings, the number following the letters indicates the distance between the pins in millimeters: GU4, GU5.3, GU10. Therefore, it is necessary to know exactly the cartridge markings.
Adjusting brightness using a dimmer
This is also a way to save energy: instead of a regular key switch, a dimmer is installed (or the lamp is initially equipped with one) - and you can increase and decrease the brightness of the light bulb, forcing it to work at full power only when necessary. What is easy for incandescent lamps (they can all be controlled by a dimmer) has become a problem for energy-saving lamps: among them, only halogen lamps can be dimmed without any special restrictions. Fluorescent and LED lamps with adjustable brightness are available, but they are less common and are more expensive; you should definitely look at the inscription “with a dimmer” or “without a dimmer” on the packaging).
Lamp with dimmer
Main or accent lighting lamps
Light can be scattered throughout the room or concentrated and narrowly directed: this type of lighting is called “spot” (“spot” - English) and is suitable for creating light accents in the interior or for reading.
Disposal
Many people are afraid to buy energy-saving lamps because they have heard that they cannot be disposed of with household waste, that is, simply thrown into the “trash” - because they contain mercury. In fact, its vapors are only found in fluorescent lamps, while LED and halogen lamps can be disposed of like regular incandescent lamps.
Fluorescent lamps
This view gas discharge lamps used in everyday life for residential premises. Gas-discharge is a slightly scary name, but it is these lamps, in the flasks of which there is an inert gas under pressure with an admixture of mercury vapor and other substances, that have come to be called energy-saving because of their minimal electricity consumption, long service life (5-20 times longer than incandescent lamps, 15–20 thousand hours) and a greater luminous flux than them (5–10 times). At the same time, such lamps require careful handling and proper disposal, therefore, when buying them, you must immediately be prepared for the fact that you cannot simply throw them in a bin.
Compact fluorescent lamp
Fluorescent lamps, which replace the usual “home” incandescent lamps, are called compact (CFL), because non-compact ones are those that are used in large rooms, they have infinitely long bulbs, and in CFLs the bulb shape is a twisted spiral.
In a CFL, electric discharges pass through an inert gas and mercury vapor, causing ultraviolet radiation, and from it a special powder begins to glow - a phosphor applied to the bulb from the inside, and it is this that simultaneously prevents the penetration of UV rays to the outside and glows with the light that we see and which is safe for our eyes. CFLs are sensitive to voltage fluctuations and frequent starts: they should not be constantly turned on and off if you leave the room for a short time.
Compact fluorescent lamps
Power and dimensions
CFLs have very little wattage compared to incandescent bulbs, but interestingly, the higher the wattage of a CFL, the larger it is. Incandescent lamps also have this dependence, but it is not so pronounced: the size will not interfere with using even a large incandescent lamp in a compact lampshade, but a large and powerful CFL may not fit. CFL power ranges from 5 to 55 W, but lamps up to 23 W are more common.
Arranging lighting in an apartment and in your yard is quite a difficult task. With so many different light source models out there, choosing one can be lengthy and really complicated. After all, if you choose lighting that does not suit your requirements, you will remain dissatisfied, and you may need to spend extra money for replacement.
In this article we will help you choose powerful energy-saving lamps for you. Let's talk about the principle of their operation and how they are designed. Let's write down what types exist and compare them with the most popular models, such as halogen, incandescent and LED. We will describe the process of selecting a device and tell you which manufacturers are best to choose.
The structure and principle of operation of the lamp
Often the same. They consist of a base - a base. He might be different types, but mainly the varieties E27 and E40 are found. It is equipped with two contacts for connection, the plus is located on the back in the form of a point, and the minus is directed towards the entire base.
Also, the walls are made in the form of a spiral thread, making it possible to screw the base into a standard e27 and e40 socket.
The outer visible part of the lamp is represented by a glass spiral, which is filled with special vapors, which ignite when current is applied and the entire system is triggered. Usually the tube contains mercury vapor, which emits light. Due to this design feature, llamas cannot be thrown away, but must be disposed of in special receptacles.
The curved spiral design is due to the fact that thanks to this shape the lamp is much more compact with a rather long glass tube. This was done in order to significantly save space and allow the devices to be used in standard home luminaires.
A special electrical diagram, which is responsible for ignition and stabilization of the device. It also sells the current necessary for the lamp to function. You can call such a component a ballast mechanism, but simply it is called electronic ballast.
This device works according to the following principle. After the current begins to flow, it flows to the electrodes and heats them to the required temperature. After achieving the desired heating, the process of thermionic emission occurs. The electrodes then begin to release a stream of electrons, which collide with the atoms, which in turn begin to emit light.
But mercury by its nature emits only ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the human eye. Here the phosphor comes into play, converting it and producing a visible spectrum of light. The thermal indicator of the light of such lamps ranges from 2700 to 6500K. It depends on the type of phosphor.
Such a device is capable of emitting its own visible light, but its share is only two percent; the rest of the light is ultraviolet, which interacts with the phosphor. The visible part of the light does not participate in the transformation in any way and remains unchanged.
A short comparison with analogues
The technical characteristics of energy-saving lamps differ significantly from other similar devices. Therefore, to make sure whether you need exactly such a light bulb, you should compare it with similar analogues.
For comparison, it is worth choosing the most common light sources, such as halogen lamps, LED and incandescent lamps.
Very often manufacturers like to compare fluorescent lamp with an incandescent lamp directly on the package. Adding a visual comparison of some technical characteristics, such as power, or adding flashy names that outline the essence of the difference itself.
We will compare them according to the following criteria: power, emitted light flux, required voltage, durability, type of base. The power of light bulbs is completely different, and it is generally accepted to compare it with the power of incandescent lamps; this is a kind of constant constant.
Halogen lamps have approximately the same performance as a similar incandescent light bulb. LEDs, on the contrary, have up to ten times less power. Energy-saving lamps have a power rating of approximately 15 watts, which is equivalent to a 60-watt light bulb.
Comparing different types of lamps
The average 15-watt light bulb is capable of emitting about eight hundred lumens. The radiation indicator of halogen lamps will be several times less. LEDs, with such power, will be able to produce more than one and a half thousand lumens.
All listed devices are capable of operating from a 220 volt network. Only LED lights require additional equipment, since their standard operating voltage is 12 volts. But you can purchase a device with a built-in transformer to create the required voltage indicator.
Base E27 and E40 have incandescent lamps and LED fluorescent devices. Halogen ones require the use of a specialized lamp with a special connection diagram. Although there are options with a regular base E27 or E40.
In terms of service life, the devices differ significantly; having the same power, they can last the following number of hours:
- Incandescent lamp - on average 1000 hours.
- Halogen - about 2-3 thousand hours.
- Luminescent devices - 10-15 thousand working hours.
- LED – more than 50,000.
Based on this, it can be assumed that energy-saving light bulbs have fairly good performance in comparison with their counterparts. They do not compromise on it at all and will be able to satisfy your needs in full.
In terms of popularity and with a more in-depth analysis of their characteristics, energy-saving light bulbs take an honorable second place after LED ones.
Choosing an energy-saving lamp
Having chosen the right device to illuminate your room, you will be completely satisfied with your choice and it will suit all the wishes and requirements for the place where you install the light bulb.
What indicators should you pay attention to:
- The first thing to note is the installation location. Not every room will have such light bulbs that can function properly. The same applies to the lamp; if installed in the bathroom, it is necessary to select a waterproof lamp.
- Requirement for luminous flux power. Depending on your personal wishes and the need to create a certain level of light, you should choose the power of the light bulb. For example, for the work area, you should choose more powerful devices to ensure the required luminous flux. For a bedroom or table reading lamp, a low-power device is sufficient. If you want to fully illuminate your yard, then buy a high-power fluorescent lamp.
- The type of socket in which the light bulb will be installed. You should select a light bulb that is equipped with an E27 or E40 base; these two options are the most common in home lamps. The e27 and e40 sockets are compatible with the e27 and e40 sockets, respectively.
- When choosing a device to illuminate a home nursery or aquarium, you should choose a lamp specifically for such purposes. There are also varieties for indoor and outdoor use. They have varying degrees of protection from dust and moisture.
Which manufacturer is better
You shouldn’t sift out all the cheap manufacturers at once and stop only at expensive brands. As a rule, absolutely everyone has a share of marriage. And whether you will fall into this unpleasant percentage by paying a lot of money or a meager amount is completely unknown and unpredictable.
Less popular and budget brands use cheap materials in their devices. This is precisely due to the low price. But it is not a fact that they all produce low-quality products. As often happens, such devices work no worse than their expensive counterparts, but their service life may be shorter.
