Finding the Best Lighting for Your Home
Choosing the right type of bulb is a crucial part of upgrading or installing new lights in your home. There are three types of light bulb available on the market today: halogen, CFL and LED.
Halogen
Halogen bulbs are the cheapest light bulbs on the market, and the closest you can get to incandescent bulbs, which were recently phased out in favour of more energy-efficient products. This type of light bulb can typically last for around 2,000 hours – roughly two years, based on an average usage of three hours per day.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
CFLs can typically last up to 10,000 hours – five times longer than a halogen bulb – and consume 80% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb. They can be used in the same way as halogens and don’t tend to require a different fitting. CFLs are widely available in a variety of temperatures, sizes and colours.
LEDs
LED lights are the most energy-efficient option for homeowners, boasting an average lifespan of 25,000 hours (25 years) and consuming 50-90% less energy than all other types of light bulb. A single LED bulb is more expensive to buy than a CFL or halogen bulb, but its increased energy efficiency and lifespan means it will save you more money over time.