Why Are Incandescent Bulbs being Phased out?

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• 
  lshaird
  Aug 15, 2011

  The incandescent light bulb was created over 100 years ago, and the technology has not changed much. The incandescent light bulb losses about 90% of its energy to heat. This is a great waste of energy. After all the purpose of a light bulb is to emit light, not heat up a room. As a result, not only does the consumer lose money, but also we are wasting precious nonrenewable energy resources. On the other hand, the compact florescent light bulb works by employing electrodes that send an electrical charge through mercury vapor, which results in the excitement of mercury particles.This is evidenced in the production of light or photons. The light that is emitted from the florescent bulb is most similar to natural light, and therefore strains eyes less. Florescent bulbs also give off less energy in the form of heat, as a result they are more efficient. What that means is a higher percentage of the energy input is utilized in light output. Consequently, a 15 watt florescent light bulb will have the same lumen output as a 50 or 60 watt incandescent light bulb. For decades offices used the more efficient light bulb to reduce eye strain and heat production. The next phase naturally is home usage.

• 
  Harlene Flores
  Aug 28, 2011

  Incandescent bulbs are one of the first common electric lamps. These lamps work by heating up a filament – usually a strip of metal – until its temperature is high enough that it will give off light. Incandescent lighting is first invented in the early 1800s but gained practical use decades later when filaments were invented that could last for many hours. Nowadays, however, the use of incandescent bulbs is beginning to decline with the advent of more energy efficient lighting.

  Studies have shown that incandescent bulbs consume about 30% more energy than its fluorescent lighting counterpart – the compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs. As the world gets more concerned about using energy more efficiently, many countries are urging their people to shift to the use of fluorescent lighting instead of the more commonly used incandescent bulb. Some countries even impose a ban on the sale of incandescent bulbs that manufacturers and stores are starting to phase out these bulbs.

  With regards to the cost, fluorescent light bulbs truly cost more than incandescent bulbs, but the energy saved using CFLs will actually result to higher savings on electricity bills. Another thing that may be of concern with CFLs is its mercury content though one CFL is considered to contain only 4 mg, or even less for the newer designs.

  http://www.investmentu.com/2010/April/incandescent-light-bulbs-vs-compact-fluorescent-lighting.html http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/01/cfl_bulbs_how_to_choose_the_ri.html