Green lighting is a term being thrown around a lot lately, be it in design magazines, lighting showrooms, or home improvement shows. But what exactly is green lighting?
Green lighting is a general term that encompasses a wide range of eco-friendly lighting options. This can include not only bulb types (fluorescent/CFL, LED), but also the fixtures themselves. It’s true, however, that when most people hear the term “green lighting,” they are thinking about the type of bulbs used in the fixtures, rather than the fixtures themselves. The most energy-efficient light bulbs are generally fluorescents (CFLs) and LEDs.
Traditional fluorescent and CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs are by far the most well-known eco-friendly light bulbs for both business and residential use. For years, there was a definite stigma around the use of fluorescent lighting. The light was harsh and unbecoming, especially for residential use. Luckily, fluorescent bulbs transformed themselves with the advent of the modern CFL bulb. The latest CFL bulbs produce a light that is warmer and much more suited to residential applications than the fluorescent bulbs of old. This is great news for those looking for eco lighting solutions for home use.
LED (light-emitting diode) lighting is the newest type of eco-friendly lighting to come on the scene. LEDs are extremely energy efficient — they can last up to 60 times longer than incandescent bulbs, and 10 times longer than even CFLs. They also produce less heat than incandescent bulbs, leading to additional energy savings. While still more expensive than just about any other option, you can expect to see prices drop as the technology further evolves.
An often forgotten type of energy-efficient bulb is actually incandescent, but much more efficient – the halogen bulb. The chemical process by which halogen light is produced is actually very efficient, much more so than in a traditional incandescent bulb, allowing the halogen bulb to last a lot longer. Halogen bulbs also produce more light per unit of energy than a regular incandescent, leading to additional energy savings. Halogen bulbs are most often used for residential purposes in the form of lamps, particularly floor lamps.
With the belief that buying eco-friendly and energy efficient lighting should not mean sacrificing style, Luxalo is an online retailer with an exclusive focus on sustainable lighting options for the home.