Modern lighting, like CFL and LED floodlights, has many advantages over older lights.
Conserving energy is gaining in popularity. It helps the environment. It also saves money on electric bills. These factors have people changing out old incandescent lights for newer, more energy-efficient bulbs. It's best to understand the options before making a purchase. Two green options for floodlights are CFL and LED bulbs. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
CFL
CFL stands for compact fluorescent light. CFL lights are smaller versions of the large fluorescent light tubes that have been in use for decades. Modern technology and innovations have allowed this type of light (it works by heating gas in the light) to be used inside various types of bulbs. This application provides a more even light source than a traditional fluorescent tube. The light a CFL produces is quite similar to an incandescent bulb's output.
LED
LED stands for light-emitting diode. LEDs have been used in pen lights, instrument panels and other applications for many years. In those items, though, only one LED was used at a time. Current LED bulbs are made by grouping large numbers of LEDs to produce one larger light source. Both CFL and LED bulbs, therefore, represent a modern application based on new uses of older technology.
Energy Savings
Both CFL floodlights and LED floodlights will save a good deal of energy over incandescent floods lights. In general a CFL bulb will use about 1/2 to 1/4 the electricity of a light. LED lights, though, are even more energy-efficient. In fact, an LED bulb can reduce electric consumption by as much as 80 percent compared to a comparable incandescent bulb.
Other Advantages
Both CFL bulbs and LED bulbs last considerably longer than incandescent bulbs. A CFL bulb should last about 10 times as long as an incandescent and an LED bulb can last 10 times as long as a CFL bulb. LED lights are durable, surviving impacts that would break either an incandescent light bulb or a CFL version. Both CFL and LED lights give off far less heat than a standard light bulb, too.
Disadvantages
Although the prices are coming down, both LED and CFL lights cost considerably more than incandescent versions. Of course, when you factor in the extended lifespan, that difference disappears, but it is still a higher initial cost. CFL lights have to cycle on, just like a standard fluorescent bulb. They are subject to problems in low-temperature applications and frequent on-and-off cycling can shorten their lifespan.
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