LED Light Bulbs Vs CFLs

Overviewreplaced much less frequently. LEDs use about half
Environmentally friendly options for replacingthe amount of electricity that CFLs that output the
incandescent lighting are usually either Compactsame brightness use.
Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) or Light Emitting Diode (LED)Long Lifespan:
bulbs.Run-times of CFL bulbs typically range from 6,000
Compact Fluorescent Lampshours to 15,000 hours while the typical lifespan of an
CFLs operate similarly to conventional fluorescentincandescent lamp is around 1,000 hours. A LED lamp
lamps where electricity is used to activate mercurycan last 50,000 to 60,000 hours which equates to
vapor that resides in the glass tube. The currentaround 5 or 6 years (10 times longer than a CFL).
affects the mercury atoms to make ultraviolet (UV)High quality light output:
light which is not visible to the eye. The photons fromBoth CFL and LED bulbs can now provide a range of
the ultraviolet light hit a phosphor layer inside the bulbcolor temperatures. Consumers are no longer
housing to emit photons of visible light thereby creatingrestricted to the blueish, "cool-white", of earlier bulbs,
light output from the tube. The ultraviolet light mayand can now buy warmer colored lamps. Lower
cause fading in paintings or textiles. The mercuryquality CFL bulbs that use a magnetic ballast will flicker.
contained within the lamp means that the light bulbsLook for an electronic ballast when buying a CFL.
need to be properly disposed of as compactLEDs are driven so that they don't flicker.
fluorescent bulbs dumped in landfills burst, causingVersatility:
mercury to be released, draining into the ground,Indoor, outdoor, home, or commercial LED and CFL
ultimately contaminating the food chain. Some states,bulbs can be used in a many different types of
such as California, ban the disposal ofapplications where conventional bulbs were once used.
mercury-containing bulbs in the trash. Some state lawsLED bulbs and CFLs can be used in track lighting, table
require fluorescent bulbs to be collected as hazardouslamps, task lighting, recessed fixtures, and ceiling
waste or properly recycled. Check with the EPA sitefixtures. Both types of bulbs are available in dimmable
to help you with proper disposal procedures accordingmodels for use with a standard dimmer switch.
to your state, or you can find a recycling center nearDurability:
you at Earth911.Since LED light bulbs don't use a filament like
Unlike fluorescent tubes that don't contain circuitry,incandescent, they are shock resistant and can be
compact fluorescent usually integrate all of theused in high vibration applications.
necessary circuits in the bottom of the light allowing theSummary of Drawbacks and Limitations
single unit to be used in a standard incandescent lightCFLs:
bulb socket. CFLs come in a variety of styles andNo spot lights - Since CFLs don't project a focused
shapes, but one will often see them in a tube or spiralbeam like an LED bulb, they are best used for area
option. Higher surface area allows for a higher lightlighting.
output in CFLs.Temperature sensitivity - CFLs are sensitive to heat,
LED Lightingtheir lifetime will be reduced if the fixture does not
Solid-state lighting, more commonly known as LEDproperly dissipate heat. CFLs are also affected by
(light-emitting diode) lighting is a solid semiconductor lightcold. CFLs will take considerably longer to reach full
source that doesn't use a gas tube like that of thebrightness in cold weather. In extreme situations they
CFL. Light from an LED is made when electricity ismay not properly warm up.
applied through the semi-conductor doped withWarm-up time - LED lights turn on instantly, while CFLs
impurities to create one half which is a "p-side", andtake a few minutes to warm up and provide full
another half that forms the "n-side". Thebrightness.
charge-carriers (electrons and holes) flow into the p-nHazardous waste - CFLs contain mercury and must
junction where these two halves meet, and releasesbe properly disposed of. The EPA website provides
energy in the form of a photon, thereby creating light.proper disposal options. LEDs do not contain mercury.
The color of the light output depends on the materialsFrequent Cycling Lowers Lifespan - In high traffic
forming the p-n junction. There is no filament to burnareas, such as home bathrooms, where CFLs are
out, and unlike CFLs, LED lights do not contain the toxicturned on and off often, their lifespan will decrease
mercury, nor do they emit ultraviolet light.quickly.
To get a bright output, many older models of LED lightUltraviolet Light - CFL bulbs can emit UV-light which
bulbs had resorted to clustering many individual LEDsmay not be desirable for certain applications.
into a one housing, however many of the newer LEDLEDs:
bulbs drive a single high powered LED element. TheseHigh initial cost - The LED bulbs themselves are costly,
LED light bulbs are considerably smaller than their CFLbut the initial investment is quickly recuperated in lower
counterparts, and are offered in form factors thatelectricity bills.
produce a directional beam through the use of a glassHeat generation - Certain high power (5w and up) LED
or plastic lens, or encased behind a frosted diffuser tolight bulbs may produce significant heat. Heat-sinks are
provide wider light coverage.often built into the bulbs themselves, and may require
Summary of BenefitsLED specific fixtures to ensure proper air-flow.
Less Expensive Electricity Bill:LED light bulbs are becoming the choice for energy
Although the cost of the light bulbs are initially moreefficient lighting due to their varied bulb options, and the
expensive, both CFL and LED lamps save you moneyease of which the light output can be layered and
long run. Less electricity is used, and bulbs are beingcontrolled when compared with CFL bulbs.