The old joke about how many people are needed to change a light bulb suggests that a light bulb is a simple enough concept for even a child to understand.
But a visit to the local hardware store or home center might convince you that it’s more than child’s play these days choosing the correct bulb for your needs.
The incandescent bulb is the most commonly used device in lighting applications. Often called a standard bulb, it consists of a glass-enclosed mixture of nitrogen and argon, a tungsten wire filament, a fuse, lead wires and a base.
The low cost of incandescent bulbs and the natural colors they provide are what makes them so attractive; their biggest downside is that their operating cost remains the most expensive.
“People are basically heating a filament when they use incandescents,” said Dan Thorne, sales manager of the electrical department for Builder’s Square in Bloomingdale. “The majority of the energy costs goes for producing heat rather than light.”
In response to various governmental edicts such as the 1992 National Energy Policy Act, light bulbs now carry a lumen-per-watts (LPW) rating that makes it easier for consumers to understand their options.
“Light output or brightness is measured in lumens,” Thorne said. “The LPW tells you how much power, or watts, it takes to produce a particular amount of lumens, or light.”
The higher the LPW rating, the more efficient the bulb, which means less energy costs for you. Consumer Reports noted that incandescent bulbs offer 14 to 18 lumens per watt when new, halogen bulbs 20 lumens per watt and fluorescents between 40 and 80.
In addition to providing information about lumens and wattage, labels also contain information about the life expectancy of the bulb. This figure represents an average, since it refers to the number of hours at which 50 percent of the bulbs burn out.
Thorne offers this comparison: One brand-name manufacturer sells a four-pack of soft-white bulbs for $1.39; the bulbs are rated at 870 lumens, 60 watts and 1,000 hours of life.
“But for $2.70, you can buy four `double-life’ bulbs that offer 800 lumens at 60 watts and last 2,000 hours,” Thorne said. “You’re giving up 70 lumens of light, but for less than another package of regular bulbs, you’re getting twice the life.”
Another incandescent option is the so-called energy-saver bulb, which represents a trade-off of sorts in terms of light, durability and energy.
“Four energy-saver bulbs from the same manufacturer cost about $2.95,” Thorne said.”You’re getting less light at 715 lumens, but your energy cost is down because you need only 52 watts.” The energy-saver is expected to last 1,000 hours.
A couple of other incandescent options exist. One is called a “smart” bulb, which contains microchips inside the base of the bulb that allow it to dim itself or turn itself off at a specific time. It’s useful as a nightlight for children.
There are also products like Philips’ 60-watt, six-hour timer bulb, which turns itself off six hours after installation and then on again the next day at the same time. The light can be “reprogrammed” using your light switch. Each bulb sells for about $7 to $9.
In recent years, significant changes have been made in another type of lighting that may eventually replace incandescent lighting in many applications.
The old fluorescent tubing first introduced in 1938 that typically lit retail stores, classrooms and kitchens in older homes has been significantly shrunk and adapted to fit into places only incandescents went before.
“We’re probably into the third generation of compact fluorescents by now,” Thorne said. “Many of the earlier models wouldn’t fit other applications, but that’s changed. Coatings are better, and the lights with magnetic ballasts that would flicker when started are being replaced with an electronic module to ignite the gas inside immediately.”
Dick Dowhan, manager of corporate communications for the Osram Sylvania Co., says compact fluorescents clearly “offer the best bang for the buck.”
“You’ll save about 70 percent in energy costs using them over conventional standard bulbs,” he says.
So why isn’t everybody rushing out to replace their older bulbs with new, reconfigured fluorescents? Dowhan believes the two best answers are cost and an unwillingness, as yet, to change buying habits.
“The initial price is part of the reason,” Dowhan said. “A compact fluorescent bulb can cost $10 to $20. People years ago bought their bulbs at the grocery store and considered them as part of their food budget. At 50 cents a bulb, you could do that.”
To make the conversion to compact fluorescents easier, Dowhan suggests looking at them as a capital investment or a “home improvement expense.”
“These products may cost more than people used to spend on their lighting, but they’re getting a return on the investment,” he said.
Compare these examples: A standard, soft-white 60-watt bulb offers 870 lumens at 60 watts of power for 1,000 hours. You could replace it with a compact fluorescent that offers 925 lumens, needs just 15 watts of power and lasts 10,000 hours.
The cost for just one bulb would be around $11.50, as compared to a four-pack of standard bulbs at $1.39, but you’ll at least three of those packages just to keep up with your one fluorescent. Remember you’ll pay more in energy costs (60 vs. 15 watts) plus the cost of trips to the store to get more bulbs.
“It’s true that some fluorescents won’t fit in certain lamp applications or places where clear, decorative glass bulbs are used, and because of their design, they won’t work with dimmer switches,” Thorne said. “But every one has places they could be used.”
And you may want to try halogen lights for patio, fireplace and other “spotlight” applications.
Halogen lights are actually more energy efficient upgrades of incandescent bulbs, offering more light and lasting longer than conventional bulbs. Unlike fluorescents, they can be used with a dimmer.
Their cost, around $5 to $7, compares favorably with higher-end incandescent bulbs, so consider this option if the price of fluorescents seems too steep.
