Singapore energy saving light bulbs have some benefits to your home as well as the environment. If you have not decided to have these features in your home, you probably do not know yet where to start or you are concerned that going green would cost you money and time that you could not afford.
You could actually start by simple swapping the regular incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient lights. There would be huge savings in energy and money if every household in Singapore swaps just one bulb. This would cost you less than $20 and it will not take too much of your time.
Energy Saving Light Bulbs
Today, there are two types of energy saving light bulbs on the market: light-emitting diode (LED) and compact fluorescent lights (CFL).
LEDs are small bulbs that contain leads and the movement of electrons power them. This advanced type of technology replaces the filament found inside a standard incandescent bulb. LED bulbs last longer because they do not have filament to burn out and they are less bulky because they do not have filament to house.
CFL is one of the other Singapore energy saving light bulbs. This is a more powerful and a light-bulb version of the regular fluorescents light strips. You can screw CFLs into the standard light sockets. They also come in a variety of sizes and shapes and they provide similar lighting effects to standard incandescent bulbs.
Benefits of Energy Saving Lighting
Perhaps the clearest benefit that LED and CFL lights offer is that they require much less energy to function compared to standard incandescent bulbs. Have a look below to find out how energy saving light bulbs can save you money and save the planet at the same time.
Efficiency
Compared to an incandescent bulb, a CFL light bulb is four times more efficient. CFLs can also last up to 10,000 hours, which is 10 times longer compared to an incandescent bulb. LED light bulbs are even more efficient because they could last up to 100,000 hours. This means that even if you leave these bulbs for 24 hours every day, it could still last for more than 11 years. Moreover, LED lights could lessen your electric bill by up to 90%.
Lower Greenhouse Emission
Using Singapore energy saving light bulbs can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. If you replace one incandescent light bulb with an energy saving light bulb, you reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to half a ton. If every Singapore home switched just a single bulb, it will prevent greenhouse gases emission equal to what comes from more than 12,300 vehicles on the road.
Savings of Electricity
While energy saving light bulbs are more expensive compared to incandescent bulbs, they provide great savings over their lifespan because they last longer and use less amount of energy.
Versatility
You can use Singapore energy saving light bulbs to replace incandescent light bulbs. Some CFL light bulbs are now available to work on 3-way lamps as well as on dimmer switchers.
Durability
LED light bulbs can stand up exceptionally well to strain from jarring and bumping. Moreover, because they do not contain a filament, they do not break as quickly as incandescent bulbs.
Costs of Energy Saving Lights
CFL light bulbs prices are ranging from $3 to $20 and can have energy savings of about $40 to $80. Your energy savings are obviously more than the initial costs of CFLs. LEDs are more expensive compared to CFLs, but their lifetime energy savings can more than offset the difference.
Disadvantages of Energy Saving Lighting
LED and CFL light bulbs are great sources of Singapore energy saving light bulbs, but they are not perfect. Here is a list of the limitations that you need to consider before deciding on having these energy saving lights:
1. Warm-up time β repeated on-and-off cycling of CFLs could greatly lessen their rated lifespan of 10,000 hours. You could avoid placing this type of lights in closets and other areas where you just need a light for a few moments.
2. Dimmers and timers β not all CFL light bulbs would fit a dimmer switch because some of them may produce inconsistent or poor quality light and produce an irritating buzz. There are CFL lights that are compatible with a dimmer switch, but they are more expensive than regular CFL lights. Likewise, not all CFL lights are fit to use for a timer. If you use an incompatible light bulb, it could lessen the rated lifespan of the CFL light bulb.
3. Bathrooms and outdoors β high humidity and extreme temperatures can lessen the rated lifespan and light levels of Singapore energy saving light bulbs. If you intend them to use in the bathroom or outside, check out the package of the CFL if it is compatible.
4. Color β a lot of people complain that CFLs produce cold or harsh lighting effects. However, this is an issue that is declining because of enhanced technology.
5. Mercury β CFL lights have trace amounts of mercury, which is a neurotoxin considered to be particularly harmful to fetuses and children. A CFL may contain up to 5 mg. of mercury, which is 1/600th of the amount of mercury found in outdated mercury thermometers. This is much less the amount released by burning coal that electric plants use in order to fuel a less-efficient incandescent bulb.
In spite of the small amount of mercury in a CFL, this number remains a concern because it can be emitted into the environment if the light is disposed of improperly or gets broken. It is therefore important to be aware of the recycling programs and safe clean-up methods to maximize the excellent benefits of CFL to the enviroments.
As an alternative, consumer could use the other type of Singapore energy saving light bulbs β the LED, which does not have any of the limitations of the CFL. However, when it comes to cost and field of light, CFL lights win this category. LEDs cost at least double and normally more expensive by up to 10 times than CFL light bulbs. However, as new technology improves and costs continue to go down, LED lights and their great efficiency might soon become the preference of green lighters.