What Type of Bulb Should I Buy as a Replacement?
5. Navigating the Bulb Aisle
Okay, so your bulb has fused, youve taken the old one out safely, and you are at the store or online ready to buy a replacement, but what do you buy? The good news is, there are now many choices for a replacement for your fused bulb. Do you go with LED, Halogen, CFL, or Incandescent?
LEDs have become extremely popular due to their long life, energy efficiency and variety of light colors and styles. They also dont get as hot as other bulbs reducing potential fire hazards. They tend to cost more upfront than other types of bulbs, but will pay for themselves over time with less frequent replacements and lower energy usage. If your fixture uses a special shape or type of bulb, LED are probably available in the size and shape that you need.
Halogen bulbs provide a bright light and better color rendering than traditional incandescent bulbs, and can be dimmed for mood lighting. One big downside is that halogen bulbs get extremely hot, making them a fire hazard if they come into contact with flammable materials. It is also important to avoid touching the bulb glass with your bare hands, as the oils from your skin can shorten the bulb's lifespan. Use gloves or a clean cloth when handling halogen bulbs.
CFLs, or Compact Fluorescent Lamps, are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, but they contain a small amount of mercury, requiring special disposal. They have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs, but LED bulbs have surpassed them in both efficiency and longevity. It is generally recommended to go with LED bulbs over CFLs due to their superior performance and lack of mercury. Incandescent bulbs are now being phased out due to their inefficiency. They are the least energy-efficient option and have a very short lifespan compared to LEDs, CFLs, and halogen bulbs. While they are still available in some places, it's generally better to choose a more efficient and longer-lasting option for replacement, such as an LED.