It’s time to get new light bulbs, and you are left scratching your head on what type to get. You want bulbs that are right for your budget, last the longest, and give the best light features. When trying to narrow down your choices, you are left to wonder which bulbs have the most life hours so you won’t be constantly buying new bulbs..
Most people will choose between incandescent, halogen and LED lights for their home or business. Let us explain to you the differences in each and the number of life hours these three types of bulbs have so you can make the most informed purchase.
Incandescent Bulbs
We all know about incandescent bulbs. We’ve been using them for over a hundred years since the time that Thomas Edison invented them. But what you may not realize is that these light bulbs don’t actually create a light. The bulb has a wire filament that is heated as the heat from the wire glows. Incandescent bulbs are the most budget friendly light bulbs on the market. The traditional 60-watt incandescent bulbs can last up to 1,000 hours. More energy incandescent bulbs have entered the market as they have a life cycle of about 2,000 hours.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs are a step up from the old incandescent lighting. It still has the wire tungsten filament, yet it also has halogen gas inside. When the wire heats up, the tungsten evaporates from the wire and into the halogen gas. The gas brightens up to give off a glow. When the bulb is turned off, the gas deposits the tungsten back onto the wire. The bulb also has a parabolic aluminized reflector, allowing the light to be better focused as it shines bright even as the bulb ages. So the light doesn’t dim over time. Halogen bulbs can be found as tubes in office buildings to the headlights on automobiles. The standard 60-watt halogen light can last for over 1,250 to 2,000 hours.
LED Bulbs
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are the newest types available on the market. They are extremely energy efficient as the bulb doesn’t use a heated wire filament to throw off light. Instead, a semiconductor material is in the bulb as electrons move across it. When the electrons move, the bulb gives off a light. LED bulbs are safer than both the incandescent and halogen bulbs as they do not produce large amounts of heat to produce the light. A 60-watt LED can last from 10,000 up to 25,000 hours.
Comparison Based On Price and Life Hours
When comparing these three types of bulbs out on the market, the incandescent light bulb is the cheapest available, yet is the least energy efficient and doesn’t last as long when compared to both halogen and LED bulbs. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the LED is pricier, yet it is also the most energy-efficient bulb and lasts longer.
- 60-watt Incandescent Bulb: Price – from $0.40 to $1.00; Life hours – 1,000 hours
- 60-watt Halogen Bulb: Price – from $1.00 to $2.75; Life hours – 1,000 to 2,250 hours
- 60-watt LED Bulb: Price – from $11 to $22; Life hours – 10,000 to 25,000 hours
Purchasing Light bulbs
Taking into account a bulb’s life hours and efficiency, LED lights can last longer at a higher expense and can keep your energy bills lower, allowing a consumer to save more money in the long run. So, when deciding on what type of light bulb to invest in next, consider LED lights – you’ll have to replace them less often and can save money each month on your energy bill.
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