The best energy-saving light bulbs are certified as energy-efficient by a reputable organization, work with a variety of fixtures and are safe to handle and dispose. The two most common basic types of light bulbs available in 2010 are incandescents and compact fluorescents, or CFLs. However, in the United States manufacturers will no longer be allowed to make several types of household incandescents by 2014. The best energy-saving light bulbs available as of 2010 are light-emitting diodes, or LEDs.
Incandescent
Incandescents use the most energy of the commonly available types of light bulbs. However, there are some energy-saving options. Incandescent dimmer light bulbs, which you must use with a dimmer switch, allow you to adjust the light output and energy usage to meet your lighting needs. Some incandescents are also advertised as using less energy or lasting longer than a standard incandescent, but may not be certified as such by an independent and reputable organization. Nevertheless, the average CFL uses less energy than the most efficient incandescent, which emits 90 percent of its energy as heat.
CFLs
CFLs are the best widely available energy-efficient light bulbs. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the best energy saving CFLs in the United States are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program. Incandescents last for 750 to 1,000 hours of lighting, while Energy Star-rated CFLs last for 6,000 to 15,000 hours. CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescents to produce the same amount of light. While not necessarily compatible with existing incandescent dimmer switches, CFL dimmer bulbs can give you even more energy savings when turned down from full light. Unfortunately, CFLs contain a small amount of mercury and must be discarded as hazardous waste, and cleaned up carefully if broken.
LED
LEDs use the smallest amount of energy for the brightness they emit. They have a high upfront cost, but their long lives and energy savings will make up for it. However, poorly designed LED fixtures can degrade in light quality or color over time, so choose an LED bulb that is rated by an independent organization to ensure quality. Energy Star rated LEDs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescents of the same brightness, the same as CFLs do, but they last much longer than CFLs and 25 times as long as incandescents. LEDs are cool to the touch and therefore ideal for enclosed fixtures where overheating may be an issue.
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