Light bulb technology has seen remarkable evolution, with LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs emerging as the superior choice. Traditional incandescent bulbs wasted energy as heat, while CFLs contained toxic materials (mercury). In contrast, LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient, converting more electricity into light and lasting significantly longer. Their small size and directional emission make them versatile for various applications. LEDs also offer instant brightness, unlike CFLs that require warm-up time. Additionally, LEDs are eco-friendly, containing no hazardous materials. Their flexibility, longevity, energy efficiency, and minimal environmental impact establish LED light bulbs as the pinnacle of illumination technology.
Energy conservation has taken a front-row seat in board rooms because as consumers we demand energy-efficient products.
One of the easiest and probably smallest steps you can take in helping the environment is swapping out your old and outdated light bulbs for more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly light bulbs.
If you’ve walked down the light bulb aisle at your nearest store or researched them a bit online, you know there is quite a selection and variety to choose from. Don’t’ let this discourage you from making the change.
The old traditional light bulbs are still around, but since then, via technological innovation, the light bulb has become significantly more energy efficient. Simultaneously, they are manufacturing light bulbs that can last much longer compared to the traditional light bulb and this is great for our planet.
Types of Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Compact Fluorescent Lights
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) lights were kind of the first generation of energy-efficient light bulbs. They are relatively inexpensive and consume about 75% less energy and last about 10x as long.
There are two primary disadvantages to CFL’s. The first negative thing about CFL’s is there is a tiny amount of mercury in them. While mercury is not great for the environment, the amount of energy savings used to power them is considered to outweigh the negative effects of mercury.
The second negative component is the amount of time it takes to get the light bulb to emit the full amount of light. The CFL lights take a bit of time to “warm-up” therefore you might need to be strategic about where you place them.
If you decide to use CFL light bulbs be sure to follow the recommendations for proper disposal. Getting rid of your CFL bulbs properly ensures you won’t hurt the environment. As a matter of fact, disposing of the bit of mercury within the bulbs is just about as important as using them.
Light Emitting Diodes
Light Emitting Diodes lights have since replaced CFL as the best environmentally friendly light bulbs. They last longer, don’t contain any harmful chemicals and contain parts that can be recycled. As you may guess, this advance in technology does come with at a higher price point compared to CFL and the traditional light bulb.
If you’re like me and over the age of 40, you probably remember buying light bulbs by their watts. If you needed some real light you got the 100 watt light bulbs and for rooms or spaces that don’t need much light, you got either 60 or 40 watts.
The current indicators on how powerful the lights are are now based in lumens. One lumen is equivalent to the light emitted from one candle. So for a quick reference guide to make shopping a bit easier, check out this helpful chart that shows the equivalent of watts to lumens.
| Watts | Lumens |
| 100 W | 1600 |
| 75 W | 1100 |
| 60 W | 800 |
| 40 W | 450 |
Energy Star for Light Bulbs
You’re probably already familiar with the Energy Star Certification, but be sure any light bulbs (or any appliances really) have the Energy Star sticker.
So now that you have a firmer grasp on current light bulbs, here’s a list of the most environmentally friendly light bulbs you can use in and around your house.
Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs
Great Eagle
1) Great Eagle 100 Watt Equivalent – This 100-watt equivalent UL tested bulbs are great for anywhere in the house where ample light is needed. Saving you 87% in energy makes them one of the best LED light bulbs for kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms.
Features and Benefits
- Has a 3-year warranty giving you peace of mind.
- Available in a variety of colors for all-around use
- 10,000-hour life which is great for those that forget to turn off lights
Hykolity
2) Hykolity 75 Watt Equivalent Indoor/Outdoor – This LED floodlight is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and has wide angle illimitation. Perfect for patios, outdoor lighting areas, as well as indoors like kitchen, family room, and dining areas.
Features and Benefits
- Last 25,000 hours
- Multi-use for indoors or outdoors
- 3-year warranty
Philips
3) Philips LED – With a name like Philips you’ll know that whatever product they’re producing, you’re getting top-shelf products. This eco-friendly light bulb provides three lighting levels from 2150, 1600, and 620 lumens when used with three-way fixtures. These energy-saving bulbs offer the equivalent brightness of 150, 100, and 50-watts incandescent bulbs using just 23, 16, and 8 watts of power.
Features and Benefits
- Use 80% less energy saving you money
- The average lifetime of these eco light bulbs is 22 years
- Provides 3 different levels of light for all-around usage
TCP
4) TCP 9W LED Bulbs – TCP energy-efficient LED bulbs are a perfect replacement for standard 60-watt incandescent household bulbs, but they only use 9 watts – an energy savings of up to 85%! They’re ideal for use in table and floor lamps, living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and hallways or ceiling fixtures.
Features and Benefits
- Replace your 60 watt bulbs with these and see an 85% savings
- 13 year lifespan keeping your rooms lighted for a long time
- The soft white color provides warm and ambient lighting
GE Lighting (Editor’s Choice)
5) GE Lighting Reveal HD LED – GE is another recognizable brand that you can be sure the product delivers. Reveal bulbs filter out dulling yellow light to give you incredible color contrast plus whiter whites for exceptional clarity. Use Reveal light in kitchens, bathrooms as well as craft & hobby spaces where clarity matters most.
Features and Benefits
- A Lifespan of up to 13 years
- Instant full brightness, so no waiting for the bulb to warm up
- Dimmable so you can reduce the energy even more by using a dimmer switch
High-Efficiency Light Bulb Terminology
As you browse through the above bulbs you’ll see there are new terminoltoy associated with eco friendly light bulbs. Here is a quick description of what they mean.
Shape and Size of Bulbs
The letters on the package refer to the shape of the bulb, and the number tells the diameter of the bulb at its widest point. This information comes in handy when trying to place the bulbs in tight cans.
Types of Shapes – Standard (A), Globe (G), Bullet (B), Candle (C), Flare (F), Reflector (R), and Sign (S). These can come in handy depending on where you want to use the bulbs. For instance, you might use a Globe bulb that emits a wider array of light in a family room, while a candle light bulb might be more appropriate for a chandelier.
Color
You probably already know that some bulbs can cast a bit of color depending on the light bulb. Some put off a tint of yellow, while others can put out a bit of “soft white.” The Kelvin determines the amount of brightness the bulb emits.
A 5000K will be a “daylight” shine, while a lower 2400K will be put a softer white. Perhaps an outside motion detector, where you want a lot of light, a 5000K would work best.
Conclusion of Most Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs
What I really like about using environmentally friendly light bulbs is how easy it is to use them. Swapping out a light bulb can be done in minutes and the energy efficiency you gain is immediate. Granted the up-front cost of these lights is a bit higher, but over the life of the bulb, you make your money back over the long run.
If you have kids that are constantly leaving lights on, or if you just work from home, the practicality of the bulb can be realized immediately.