When it comes to lighting options, you have a number of choices. | Photo courtesy of Clean Energy Resource Teams.
You have several options to consider when selecting what type of lighting you should use in your home.
When selecting energy-efficient lighting, it's a good idea to understand basic lighting terms and principles. Also, it helps to explore your lighting design options if you haven't already. This will help narrow your selection.
Types of lighting include:
You can use the chart below to compare the different types of lighting.
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Lighting Comparison Chart |
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|
Lighting Type |
Efficacy |
Lifetime |
Color Rendition Index |
Color Temperature |
Indoors/ |
|
Standard "A" bulb |
10–17 |
750–2500 |
98–100 (excellent) |
2700–2800 (warm) |
Indoors/ |
|
Energy-Saving Incandescent (or Halogen) |
12–22 |
1,000–4,000 |
98–100 (excellent) |
2900–3200 (warm to neutral) |
Indoors/ |
|
Reflector |
12–19 |
2000–3000 |
98–100 (excellent) |
2800 (warm) |
Indoors/ |
|
Straight tube |
30–110 |
7000–24,000 |
50–90 (fair to good) |
2700–6500 (warm to cold) |
Indoors/ |
|
Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) |
50–70 |
10,000 |
65–88 (good) |
2700–6500 (warm to cold) |
Indoors/ |
|
Circline |
40–50 |
12,000 |
|
|
Indoors |
|
Cool White LEDs |
60–92 |
25,000–50,000 |
70–90 (fair to good) |
5000 (cold) |
Indoors/ |
|
Warm White LEDs |
27–54 |
25,000–50,000 |
70–90 (fair to good) |
3300 (neutral) |
Indoors/ |
