When it comes to household energy consumption, most homeowners focus on large appliances and HVAC systems. However, as an electrician can attest, even small changes, like swapping incandescent light bulbs for energy-saving fluorescent ones, reduce your impact on the environment and lower utility bills. Here is a closer look at how today’s energy-saving light bulbs work.

Fluorescent vs. Incandescent

Unlike traditional light bulbs, which run an electric current through a wire filament, energy-saving light bulbs have a small tube that contains argon and mercury vapor. When an electrical current runs through this tube, the vapor gives off invisible ultraviolet light, which then triggers the tube’s phosphorous coating to produce light.

This process means that energy-saving bulbs sometimes require a little more time to achieve their full brightness. More energy is also consumed when the lights are first turned on. However, once it’s on, the highly efficient light can reduce energy consumption by 70% when compared to incandescent bulbs.

What to Look For

As your electrician can attest, watts do not measure a light bulb’s brightness—this term refers to hourly energy consumption. Despite this, many energy efficient bulbs are marketed with labels such as “60-watt equivalent.” Check for the bulb’s Lumens rating, which more accurately conveys the brightness of the light.

One easy way to ensure that you will save energy with your new lighting is to purchase light bulbs with an ENERGY STAR® label. These bulbs have been verified for reduced energy consumption, so you can have confidence that they will help you make your home more eco-friendly.

If you need an electrician to upgrade your lighting fixtures before changing the light bulbs, contact Walter’s - Eaton’s Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC. Serving Pierce County, WI, since 1952, this electrical contractor provides reliable, friendly service for residential and commercial needs. Whether you want to save energy with efficient solutions or need a new HVAC system, their team will help you find the best solution for your needs. To learn more about what this team can do for you, visit them online, and call (715) 273-5589 to schedule an appointment with an electrician.