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Copper iodide phosphors could mean less-expensive LEDs

 

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Everybody loves LEDs, as they're far more efficient and longer-lasting than traditional incandescent bulbs. They're also more economical to use in the long run, although they're costlier on a per-bulb basis. That price gap could soon be closing, however, as scientists have discovered a cheaper alternative to one of their most expensive ingredients.

White light-emitting LEDs use metals known as rare earth elements (REEs) for their phosphors – these are the materials that convert the light emitted from LED chips into longer wavelengths, allowing the bulbs to put out full-spectrum visible light.

The mining and processing of REEs is hazardous, however, leaving China as just about the only country currently supplying them in substantial quantities. This drives up their price, which could climb even higher as demand for LED-based technologies increases.

Led by Prof. Jing Li, a team of scientists from New Jersey's Rutgers University has now discovered that a family of materials made from relatively cheap and abundant copper iodide can be substituted for REEs. These materials are synthesized via a simple, low-cost process, which is easily scalable. Factors such as color and intensity can be tuned as needed, plus they're said to create a warmer white light than the blue-ish white emitted by LEDs currently available.

REEs may also be facing some competition from silicon phosphors, which are being developed by University of Washington spinoff company LumiSands.

Dimmable 4 ft 23 W LED Bulb can replace T8 fluorescents.

Four Foot

September 18, 2014 – Offering 160° beam spread, LEDT8-48-D works with any T8 fluorescent light fixtures, can be configured for any T series fluorescent bulb fixture, and does not require any ballast for operation. Single-ended power means that line and neutral voltage are applied to same end, and rotating pins let operators adjust direction of light dispersion after installation. Supplied in aluminum housing, this T-series LED tube bulb runs directly off 90–132 V and produces 105 lm/W for 2,415 lm total.

Larson Electronics Releases a Four Foot 23 Watt Dimmable LED Light Bulb


Larson Electronics has developed a new 23 watt dimmable LED tube lamp that is an excellent choice for upgrading existing T8 dimming fluorescent lamp fixtures as well as a direct replacement for our LED light fixtures.

The LEDT8-48-D 23 watt T-series LED bulb from Larson Electronics works with any T8 fluorescent light fixtures, can be configured for any T series fluorescent bulb fixture and requires no ballast for operation. Power for this dimmable LED tube is single ended, meaning line and neutral voltage are applied to the same end. Internally, the operator simply brings the black wire to one pin and the white wire to the other. When installing this tube in a fluorescent light fixture, the operator must bypass the ballast and wire the power directly to one end of the LED tube. This feature makes the tubes an ideal upgrade for four foot fixtures with failed ballasts. This LED lamp features rotating pins, allowing operators to adjust the direction of light dispersion after installation. While fluorescent lamps are omni-directional and illuminate 360°, the LED style replacement lamps are directional and offer a 160° beam spread.

The polycarbonate lens diffuses the light and makes this bulb ideal for food safe environments as there is no glass. The aluminum housing serves as a heat sink and provides rigidity and strength for this LED bulb. These are the first generation of our dimmable LED tubes and they produce 105 lumens of light per watt for a total of 2,415 lumens per bulb. This dimming LED tube uses electronic silicon control dimming and has been tested on all Lutron and Levitron electronic dimmers. When using dimmer switches, the LEDT8-48-D LED bulb will dim from 0% up to 100%. These multi-voltage LED bulbs run directly off any voltage ranging from 90 volts to 132 volts, including 110 volts, 115 volts, and 120 volts AC. This lamp will not work on voltage outside of the 90-132V AC range and internal damage may occur when higher voltage is applied to the lamp.

 

Compact fluorescent bulbs often end up in trash

Statistics Canada study shows a third of households returned bulbs to depot or store

 

A compact fluorescent light bulb contains about five milligrams of mercury, which is less than the amount in a watch battery.

A compact fluorescent light bulb contains about five milligrams of mercury, which is less than the amount in a watch battery. 

Most Canadians are using compact fluorescent bulbs, but only a third of them are disposing of the mercury-containing devices properly, a newStatistics Canada report suggests.

The federal agency reported this week that in 2011, 75 per cent of Canadian households used at least one compact fluorescent bulb and 39 per cent used at least one fluorescent tube. Far fewer households used mercury-free LED bulbs, another energy-efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs – just 10 per cent.

The Households and the Environment Survey of 20,000 Canadians, conducted by phone in October and November 2011 found that:

Each bulb contains a small amount of mercury, which can damage the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver of humans and other living organisms.

A compact fluorescent light bulb typically contains about five milligrams of mercury — less than the amount that's in a watch battery, according to Natural Resources Canada.

However, mercury-containing devices are typically treated as hazardous waste, because light bulbs are likely to break if buried in landfills. The mercury they contained can then contaminate water and enter the atmosphere. It does not break down in the environment and accumulates in the bodies of animals as it moves up the food chain.

Halifax most likely to trash bulbs

The survey found that Halifax residents were most likely to have thrown their compact fluorescent bulbs in the garbage, with 84 per cent of households reporting that. Currently, the Halifax Regional Municipalityencourages residents to do that. 

Residents of Guelph, Ont., were most likely to dispose of the bulbs properly at a depot or drop-off centre (56 per cent) or keep them at home (41 per cent.)

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When thrown in the trash, compact fluorescent light bulbs can break, spilling the mercury into the environment. (Patrick Dell/Canadian Press)

Information on the Halifax Regional Municipality website may be contributing to the high garbage disposal rate.

"At this time in HRM the appropriate disposal method for CFL bulbs for householders is to place them in a sealed plastic bag and place it in the garbage for collection," the website's Household Special Waste section reads.

However, the results of the survey suggests that residents in some municipalities, such as London, Ont., were becoming more conscientious about disposal — there 60 per cent of households reported threw their bulbs in the garbage in 2009, but just 33 per cent did in 2011.

Environment Canada estimates that about 1,500 kilograms of mercury were released into the air in 2010 from the disposal of mercury-containing products, including fluorescent light bulbs. That is about a third of our country's total mercury emissions.

Working on new regulations

When asked to comment on the survey, Environment Canada said it is working on new regulations that would:

"The department is also developing an approach to end of life management of CFL light bulbs that will complement efforts already being made by provincial and territorial governments," Environment Canada said in a statement emailed to CBC News.

At the time of the survey, incandescent light bulbs were not yet banned — afederal ban on 75- and 100-watt incandescent bulbs went into effect on Jan. 1, 2014, with bans on 40- and 60-watt versions to follow on Dec. 31. The ban was put in place because fluorescent bulbs are about four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, which lose a lot of energy as heat.

Before the ban went into effect, some groups such as the Recycling Council of Ontario raised concerns about the fact that the government was not requiring retailers or manufacturers to collect and recycle the spent bulbs and about the lack of programs to track and recycle the bulbs.

Jo-Anne St. Godard, executive director of the council, said the results of the new StatsCan study represent an "opportunity" for the federal government to develop policies that ensure compact fluorescent light bulbs are tracked and managed so that the mercury is recovered from them as much as possible.

Meanwhile, she said, other groups have been trying to do their part. The Recycling Council of Ontario, for example, has been promoting fluorescent bulb suppliers that take back the spent bulbs and has developed a standard for recycling them.

Collection programs not convenient

She added that since 2011, public awareness of mercury in fluorescent bulbs has grown, partly because of the work of municipalities. Many municipalities now have programs to collect the bulbs.

Ikea Lights Out

 

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, seen here for sale at Ikea, are about four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, which lose a lot of energy as heat. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press)

But those programs may not be convenient for the public. St. Godard noted they often only take place at certain dates and locations: "It requires the homeowner or resident to take time to either drive these products to a depot or hoard them in their house until such time that the municipality has an event, where again, the resident has to take the time to bring them back to the municipality."

"If something isn't easy to do, people won't do it," said Amanda Kinden, "living green, living well" coordinator for the Green Action Centre, a Winnipeg-based non-profit organization that promotes "greener living" through public education.

She said many people are in the habit of throwing spent light bulbs in the garbage because that's what they did with incandescent bulbs for years.

She thinks information about proper disposal of compact fluorescent bulbs isn't getting to everyone.

"Government has a big role in education," Kinden said, "but manufacturers who produce these harmful things should also take some responsibility for ensuring that their products are recycled properly, whether or not it's a levy that you get back if you recycle them or a better system for taking them back."

However, the Green Action Centre notes that while the mercury in compact fluorescent light bulbs can pose a hazard if not disposed of properly, the bulbs may also lower the amount of mercury emitted into the environment by reducing the amount of electricity we use.

That's because coal-fired power plants release mercury through their smokestacks and hydroelectric plants may convert mercury in the local environment to highly toxic forms that accumulate easily in living organisms.

Canadians do have alternatives to compact fluorescent light bulbs. LED bulbs are also energy efficient and do not contain mercury.

REF: CBCnews

Nanoleaf Bloom light bulb dims without dimmer switch

Creators say it's the most energy efficient light bulb ever produced

The brightness of the Nanoleaf Bloom can range from that of a night light to that of a 75-watt incandescent light bulb.

The brightness of the Nanoleaf Bloom can range from that of a night light to that of a 75-watt incandescent light bulb. (Nanoleaf/Youtube)

An ultra-efficient light bulb that you can dim with a regular light switch has been invented by a trio of engineers from Toronto.

Gimmy Chu, Tom Rodinger and Christian Yan of Nanoleaf, now based in San Diego, are in the midst of a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for the Nanoleaf Bloom.

The LED-studded "bulb," billed as "the most energy efficient light bulb on the market," fits in a regular light bulb socket. It gives off a warm light that can vary from the brightness of a night light (120 lumens) to that of a 75-watt incandescent bulb (1200 lumens) using just 10 watts of power.

Nanoleaf Bloom

 

 

 

The Nanoleaf Bloom takes three seconds to ramp up to its full brightness. As it's ramping up, you can lock it into a lower brightness by flipping the light switch quickly off and back on. (Courtesy Gimmy Chu/Nanoleaf)

When someone switches it on, it takes three seconds to ramp up to full brightness. As it's doing that, you can lock it into a lower brightness by flipping the switch quickly off and back on, thanks to a microprocessor built into the bulb.

Chu said a dimmable light has a couple of advantages.

"It allows you to save significantly on energy costs," Chu said.

At 50 per cent brightness, it uses just 25 per cent of the electricity that it uses at full brightness.

"It also allows you to set any mood with the adjustable brightness."

Dimming made convenient

In order to take advantage of those features, however, most dimmable bulbs require a dimmer switch, and most light switches are not dimmer switches, Chu said. Buying and wiring a dimmer switch is not always easy, he added: "You might have to hire an electrician."

The Nanoleaf Bloom, which aims to make dimming the lights more convenient, follows up on the trio's previous invention, the Nanolight. The similar, but non-dimmable bulb, was previously billed as the "world's most energy efficient light bulb." That project raised $273,278 on Kickstarter last year and delivered over 7,000 bulbs to 5,746 backers.

The Nanoleaf Bloom can be pre-ordered on Kickstarter for $40 or $10 more than the Nanoleaf.

Chu acknowledged it's a hefty price for a light bulb, but he says it's because the device uses the best custom components.

"Our hope is that with volume, we'll be able to bring down the pricing," he said, adding that his team's dream is to get the bulb into stores such as Canadian Tire.

As of this week, the project had already raised more than $100,000 and blown past its goal of $30,000. The Kickstarter campaign runs until Sept. 12.

 

REF: CBCnews

Bright idea: Smart light switch

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He reinvented the light bulb, now Australian entrepreneur Phil Bosua has caught the attention of one Silicon Valley's biggest venture capital firms with plans to reinvent the light switch.


On Monday, his start-up LIFX raised US$12 million (NZ$13.75 million) from funds led by Sequoia Capital to turn his Wi-Fi connected smart switch idea into reality.


Speaking to Fairfax Media, Bosua, 40, said his company would use the money to grow, expand globally, and work on a new type of light switch for homes that could also be used for other things, such as changing the volume of music, and opening and closing blinds.


The latest investment – which also counts with money from Bevan Clark and Guy King, Australian angel investors and co-founders of coupon website RetaiMeNot – brings LIFX’s total funding to $US16.6 million. It also sees Sequoia partner Omar Hamoui join the start-up’s board.


Asked whether it meant he was now a millionaire, the software developer who built over 600 apps for Apple's App Store laughed, replying "on paper, maybe".


Bosua's company is known for selling the LIFX, a Wi-Fi enabled, multi-colour, energy efficient LED light-bulbthat can be controlled with an iPhone or Android smartphone. The device costs $129 in Australia, and so far the company has shipped over 100,000 of them around the world.


SMART SWITCH


“It will be circular and mount on the wall with three m-strips or via a magnetic mounting plate,” Bosua said at his company’s rented out mansion on 24,300-square metres of land in Los Altos Hills in Silicon Valley. It has its own playground, tennis court, pool and counts billionaires, wild coyotes and deers as neighbours.


“It will give you full functional control over your LIFX bulbs and also have an open [application programming interface] so [that developers can make apps that] turn the light switch into a volume control for a Sonos speaker. It could also open and close blinds and alert you if someone’s at your door." 


The prototype will have rechargeable batteries that last between six and 12 months, and use Wi-Fi to connect to light-bulbs and other devices in the home, reducing the cost of traditional copper wiring.


“If you were building a new house you would save almost 50 per cent on copper costs just because you’re not running wires down to switches,” Bosua said.


The entrepreneur, who regularly commutes between Silicon Valley and Melbourne, where his wife and kids are based, said a chunk of the money would go towards hiring engineers, marketing, and sales people to help “create the best internet of things companies in the world”.


Internet of Things is a term used to describe the growing number of devices connected to the internet – from ATMs and toothbrushes to light-bulbs.


Bosua said he had no plan to make other gadgets.


“We want to the be the best smart light company in the world – and lighting is a huge market.


"I think it would be irresponsible to not focus on a market this size… There’s 5.8 billion light sockets in the US alone. So why would we focus anywhere else?”


SKEPTICS


Bosua has come a long way since launching the smart light-bulb via a crowd-funding campaign in September, 2012.


It raised just over US$1.3 million, was delayed for several months and attracted disapproval from financial journalist Felix Salmon, who called it vapourware.


“If the LIFX bulb ever ships, it’s going to be a gimmicky disappointment at best,” Salmon wrote. “The ‘white’ light won’t be warm and rich, the illumination will come out in clumps rather than being even, the bulb will hum when it’s dimmed, the electronics will fail in the heat.”


LIFX eventually shipped and the complaints weren't as bad. Most centred around the light-bulb not doing what Bosua said it would do in the original video, like flash for a tweet or Facebook notification.


Bosua said the a new app and cloud product would enabled more featuresin the next two months.


There "was probably some legitimacy" to critics' concerns because LIFX was "attempting to make the world’s best lightbulb" despite never having made a light-bulb before and having no engineering experience.


"But as is the nature of innovation, resourcefulness, grit and determination, we got there … and made something a lot better than we had originally anticipated."


He wouldn't disclose how much equity Sequoia Capital and others received as part of the funding round, and refused to say is he remained majority shareholder. "It’s a complex question," he said.


The US-based company can now hire some 40 people to help it grow, he said. At the moment, seven of the 25 staff reside in the US, with the rest in Melbourne, Australia. 


REF: Sydney Morning Herald

 

Smart Home? These Connected LED Light Bulbs Could Leak Your Wi-Fi Password

 

Having a smart home with remotely connected heating, water, lighting and locking systems may not always be the smart choice unless you are particularly vigilant to apply the latest security updates – and unless your suppliers are on top of the security situation. The latest threat to connected homes has emerged: a popular brand of connected LED lightbulbs can be hacked to change the lighting, and worse, to reveal the homeowner’s Wi-Fi Internet password.

Researchers at Context Information Security were able to hack LIFX light bulb systems in order to reveal Internet passwords. The bulb company has released a firmware update in the last two weeks to fix the problem, but those users who have not updated are unprotected.

LIFX bulbs can be bought at Amazon and home improvement retailers, and  controlled remotely by a smart phone so that users can turn their lights on and off when away from home. Before its launch in 2012 the company received over 13 times the Kickstarter funding it had sought, with over 9,000 backers, following a bid to revolutionize home lighting.

While the hacking steps were relatively complex for a layperson, hackers could easily exploit the vulnerability using standard and cheap equipment. The threat is therefore that a hacker can control the lighting in a house and also misuse its Internet connections for other purposes.

data.path Ryoji.Ikeda - 4

 

 

data.path Ryoji.Ikeda – 4 (Photo credit: r2hox)

“We bought some light bulbs and examined how they talked to each other and saw that one of the messages was about the username and password,” Michael Jordan, research director at Context Information Security, told the BBC. “By posing as a new bulb joining the network we were able to get that information.”

 

 

The research only addresses lightbulbs, and the company is assessing other connected devices. It is likely to find vulnerabilities – some other devices including various connected refrigerators and home surveillance systems are known to be a potential target as with any connected device, and hackers will always look for a way in.

The Technical Details

The LIFX light bulbs use new wireless network protocols, which intrigued Context Information Security enough to attempt to hack the devices. They operate on the 802.15.4 6 LoWPAN wireless mesh network, and are used by simply screwing in the bulbs at home and controlling them from a downloadable smartphone application.

Phil Bosoa, CEO, LIFX & Marco Montemagno

 

 

Phil Bosoa, CEO, LIFX & Marco Montemagno (Photo credit: LeWeb13)

In a blog, Context Information Security states that 6 LoWPAN is a wireless communication specification built upon IEE 802.15.4, the same base standard used by Zigbee, designed to allow IPv6 packets to be forwarded over low power personal area networks (PAN). In order to hack into the traffic, it acquired a straightforward peripheral device using the 802.15.4 specification, in this case the ATMEL AVR Raven with Contiki firmware.

 

 

Context Information Security found that the LIFX mesh network protocol was largely unencrypted, allowing it to “easily dissect the protocol, crop messages to control the light bulbs and replay arbitrary packet payloads”. By monitoring packets from the mesh network when adding new bulbs, it was able to identify those which contained Wi-Fi network credentials: when any new bulbs are added, messages are transmitted from the master bulb containing Wi-Fi details.


The researchers then decrypted the firmware by pulling out the microcontrollers from the lighting systems. Having assessed the circuit boards, they able to assess how to send commands to the chips (see more details on their blog here). They state that using “common cryptographic constants”, researchers were able to identify the encryption code and begin injecting packets into the network, “all without any prior authentication or alerting of our presence”.Alarmingly, the researchers found that by just requesting WiFi details from the master bulb, no alarms were raised within the LIFX system. However, the details were encrypted.

Connected Homes: A Secure Future?

Because of the nature of the LIFX network, a user would need to be within less than 25 yards to make the hack a success, “severely limiting the practicality for exploitation on a large scale”. Nevertheless, it demonstrates that yet another connected home device can be accessed by relatively informed hackers using standard devices, and by alarmingly revealing the Wi-Fi password hackers could make use of the entire home network – not just changing lighting.

As with all new devices connected to the Internet, there is a risk of hacking, and connected homes naturally face these concerns. But whether consumers understand the risks, or manufacturers keep up with the latest attacks, remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure: the cyber security war is ever-expanding and our home goods are far from exempt.

REF: Forbes

Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy Independence Day!!!

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GE Opens a Pricing War Over the Connected LED Light Bulb

Lighting makers keep their options open for smart home platforms.

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Just over a year ago, the emergence of a sub-$10 light-emitting diode (LED) bulb was big news for the lighting industry. The same pricing trends are headed for smart bulbs too. 

Now, for just a few dollars more, consumers can buy a GE LED light bulb for their homes that can be controlled from a smartphone. General Electric’s latest LED bulb, Link, went on sale this week at Home Depot and will hit stores in the fall.

The Link is available in three different bulb designs, an A19 60-watt replacement in soft white, a soft-white indoor floodlight, and an indoor/outdoor bright white spotlight. The bulbs are priced at under $15, $20 and $25, respectively. A starter kit with the GE Link hub and two A19, 60-watt replacements will sell for less than $50, according to GE.

Instead of building its own smart home platform, GE has partnered with Wink for its Link bulbs. “We think Wink is onto something with the openness of their platform,” said Megan Lavelle, a spokesperson for GE Lighting. “Because of its openness, this will be the most helpful for consumers navigating the connected home space.”

Wink grew out of the collaborative design startup Quirky  that has developed products from decorative muffin toppers to the Aros smart window AC. The Wink platform wants to be an open system to control devices across the home using Apple or Android mobile devices, including Android Wear. Devices can connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave or Clear Connect. Besides GE, Wink counts a few other major brands, such as Lutron and Schlange, as product partners.

GE also has a partnership with Lutron for the GE telligent LED, an indoor floodlight that is embedded with Lutron’s Clear Connect technology so that it can be dimmed wirelessly. The Link is the first GE bulb, however, that can be controlled from a smartphone.

For now, GE is betting on Wink , but since Link bulbs are ZigBee certified, “in theory it could work for other platforms,” said Lavelle.

The Link is GE’s answer to other offerings like the Philips Hue, a connected, wireless, color-changing LED bulb that has a starting price point for a single bulb about three times the cost of the Link A19. It’s also cheaper than TCP’s connected system, which offers a starter kit of two A19 bulbs and a gateway for $100.

Lighting makers and other home appliance manufacturers are backing a wide range of startups in the smart home space, but they also don’t want to limit their options. Lavelle said that GE would likely migrate to whichever platform consumers adopt, a sentiment that has been echoed by other white goods manufacturers.

For startups like Wink, the entrance of large players like Google and Apple into the smart-home platform space is both an opportunity and a threat. The marquee brands bring visibility to the emerging smart home platform, but they could also overshadow smaller companies looking to gain a toehold.

Last week, Google’s Nest announced the integration of some household brands, including Whirlpool washers and dryers and Jawbone fitness bands, onto its platform. LIFX Wi-Fi light bulbs, which retail for $99, are also on the list of technologies that will be compatible with Nest.

“We are excited to see them embracing the open ecosystem and integrating with other brands," Matt McGovern, head of marketing at Quirky, said about Nest.

Some of GE’s lighting competitors, including Osram Sylvania and Philips, have already announced that they will have MFi-certified products to integrate withApple’s HomeKit. Osram Sylvania’s iQ indoor LED floodlights are also available on Comcast’s Xfinity Home platform.

As lighting manufacturers compete for market share in the budding LED sector, they are looking to find the right technology partners to get a competitive advantage. The home controls market is very young, so lighting companies will have to be flexible and focused in their strategy. Once consumers purchase long-lasting LEDs, it will likely be many years before they make the switch again. 

TAGS: connected home, connected led, ge, led, smart home, wireless led, wireless lighting

REF: greentechefficiency:

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A guide to light bulbs: How to save money, environment

Energy-efficient light bulbs have higher initial costs, but these light bulbs can save help save the environment and money in the long run. Here is a guide to energy-efficient light bulbs and how to figure out which one fits your needs the best.

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Buying a light bulb used to be easy. You headed to the store, chose bulbs with your desired wattage, handed over a few bucks, and were on your way. Today, navigating the light bulb section is much harder, thanks to new energy-efficient types of light bulbs like CFLs and LEDs that come with a much higher price tag, as well as a staggering array of options.

To help with your decisions, we looked at the basic terms and light bulb types affiliated with this new generation of options, and compared them to the ones consumers are traditionally used to. Although the initial costs are higher, new forms of light bulbs are not only better for the environment, but they'll also save you money in the long run — if you choose correctly for your needs.

Know these terms: Watts and lumens

Simply speaking, watts are the amount of electricity a bulb uses to produce light. The less wattage, the less energy used. Traditionally, they were the deciding factor for purchase, and you had four choices – 40, 60, 75, or 100. (More on those numbers later.)

Today, it's all about the lumens, which measure the amount of light emitted from a bulb. More lumens equal brighter light. To replace standard wattage light bulbs based on lumens, use the following general rules:

Types of light bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs: The cheapest option

If you're a fan of the standard 40, 60, 75, and/or 100-watt bulb, you might want to stock up. As part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, they were phased out in favor of more energy-efficient models. While you can still find them in some stores — or buy them by the case on eBay — they're no longer being produced.

The new incandescents are more energy-efficient, but still pale in comparison to the life span of CFLs and LEDs. A typical bulb will last for about 1,000 hours. Still, if you're looking for the lowest price tag on light bulbs, incandescent bulbs are your best bet at around $1 to $2 each.

CFL bulbs: Mid-level pricing, moderate energy savings

Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs have been around for a while, and they're best known for their spiral design. They typically last for about 10,000 hours, and use much less energy than incandescents – about 75 percent less. Cost-wise, they'll cost you more than incandescent bulbs, as they start at around $4 each. According to the US Department of Energy, you'll recoup that cost in energy savings within nine months.

CFLs don't brighten as quickly as incandescent or LED bulbs, so they aren't great choices for entryways, or any place where you need immediate light. They also don't work well in the cold, so for outdoor use in cold climates, incandescents or LEDs would be a better bet. And CFLs also contain small amounts of mercury, so you shouldn't throw them in the trash. Both Home Depot and Lowe's offer CFL recycling programs.

LED light bulbs: Most expensive, highest energy savings

Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs use even less energy than CFLs, and they last longer: up to 50,000 hours. Unlike CFLs, they brighten instantly, even in cold temperatures. Using LEDs can help you save up to 80 percent in energy costs per year.

LEDs come with a heftier price tag than CFLs or incandescents – they start at around $10 each. If you have a light fixture you barely use, you might want to opt for a CFL or incandescent instead, as you may not recoup the cost in energy savings.

Light bulb features: Choosing the right bulb for your needs

Energy-efficient light bulbs come in different sizes, shapes, and colors, and it can be difficult to determine which will work best in your fixtures. When all else fails, bring your old light bulb to the store and ask for help, but get acquainted with these features first.

Lighting facts label

All new light bulbs are now required to have this, which lists lumens, watts, lifespan, light appearance, and yearly savings. This label makes it easy to compare different models and see which type meets your needs and which will save you the most money.

Dimmers and 3-way fixtures

Standard CFLs often don't work in dimmers, and some LEDs don't, either. All three types, in fact, offer bulbs specifically for those purposes, so look for that designation on the package. Also look for designations for outdoor lighting.

Colors

If you want lighting that resembles the warm color of standard incandescent bulbs, look for something on the "warm" end of the lighting facts label, or about 2,500 Kelvin. The higher you go, the more white the light will be. 5,000K and up mimics natural daylight.

Shapes and sizes

Each package has a letter and number code on it. The letter is the shape, and will stand for standard (A), globe (G), bullet (B), candle (C), flare (F), reflector (R), sign (S), or tubular (T). The size numbers reflect the diameter of the bulb at its widest point.

ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR is a labeling program by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy that identifies energy-efficient products and buildings. In order for products to receive the ENERGY STAR label, they must meet an established set of criteria for efficiency. And if you buy ENERGY STAR-certified light bulbs, you may be able to receive special offers and rebates. Simply enter your zip code on the website and select the type of light bulbs you want to buy (as well as any other ENERGY STAR products you're interested in).

The bottom line: Consider savings now and savings later

If you're looking for instant savings, energy-efficient incandescents are the way to go. If you're looking long-term cost benefits, CFLs and LEDs will save you more money in the long run.

What types of light bulbs are you using in your home? Have you noticed any savings from energy-efficient models?

REF: The Christian Science Monitor

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