As technology increases, new bulbs shine way to saving energy, money

As technology increases, new bulbs shine way to saving energy, money
(Aiken Standard (SC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 09--1"CFLs are growing in popularity because of energy efficiency. They use less energy, less wattage but have the same light quality," said Lowe's spokesperson Jackie Pardini. "And technology advances over the years will make LEDs more popular in the home." But what's the difference between the three? The Aiken Standard breaks it down for you.

Incandescent bulb phase-out Next year, incandescent light bulbs will begin to phase out under federal legislation passed in 2007. Under the measure, all light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less energy than today's products by 2012 to 2014. The phase-in will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient.

According to EnergyStar, if every American home replaced just one light with an EnergyStar CFL, enough energy would be saved to light 3 million homes for one year, to save about $600 million in annual energy costs and to prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.

Incandescents Creates light by passing electricity through a metal filament until it becomes so hot that it glows Pros -- Familiar to most people -- Typically the most inexpensive option. A pack of four 60-watt bulbs is $1.27 at Home Depot.

-- Produces a warm and steady light -- Comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes -- Produces light immediately when provided with electricity Cons -- Not as energy efficient, lasting only 700 to 1,000 hours -- Emits 90 percent of its energy as heat -- Will be phased out starting in 2012 CFLs An electric current is driven through a tube containing gases. This reaction produces ultraviolet light that gets transformed into visible light by the fluorescent coating on the inside of the tube.

Pros -- Can last up to 10 times longer than incandescents -- Uses up to 75 percent less energy than incandescents -- Can save more than $40 in energy costs over its lifetime -- Comes in a variety of shapes Cons -- Contains a small amount of mercury, an average of four milligrams -- More expensive than incandescents. A pack of two 14-watt (equivalent to 60 watts) CFLs is $15.97 at Home Depot -- The bulb can take a few seconds to produce light as the gas warms up "The Aiken Electric Co-op feels the amount of mercury in the bulbs is far outweighed the cost savings," said spokesperson Muriel Carter. "The amount of mercury is the size of the tip of a pencil." Both Lowe's and Home Depot accepts unbroken, spent CFL light bulbs for recycling.

LEDs Use light-emitting diodes to produce light. The movement of electrons through a semiconductor material illuminates the diodes.

Pros -- Uses at least 75 percent less energy -- Lasts at least 15 times longer than an incandescent bulb -- Allows for precise placement of light due to the directional nature of LEDs -- Produces light immediately Cons -- More expensive than incandescents and CFLs. A 8.6-watt LED bulb (equivalent to 40 watts) is $17.97 at Home Depot South Carolina Incandescent Light Bulb Freedom Act The bill would ensure that incandescents burn on in South Carolina if the bulbs are manufactured and sold only in this state. That would keep them in the stream of intrastate commerce and not subject to federal regulation.

Sponsors Rep. Bill Sandifer, Rep. Dwight Loftis and others have said their motivation in introducing the bill was not just light bulb preference but protection of the 10th Amendment. The 10th Amendment states the federal government has power only over areas specifically given to it by the Constitution; all other rights belong to the states.

The bill passed the House on April 7 and a Senate panel unanimously approved it with a voice vote Wednesday. The act now moves to the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.