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How They Work

Low energy light bulbs come in a variety of colours and shapes. Their main benefit is that they provide the same amount of light while using less energy. Even though they cost slightly more to buy than traditional bulbs, they use 5 times less energy and last about 10 times longer.

Low energy bulbs are folded glass tubes that contain gas. They are coated with a layer of phosphor. Electricity passes through the gas and emits ultraviolet rays that make the phosphor coating to glow. The reason this way of lighting is more efficient is because most of the energy is turned into light than heat (differing from the traditional light bulbs).

This type of lighting produces the same amount of light with less voltage.

The reason low energy light bulbs are more expensive to buy is because they are more expensive to produce. In the future, however, they pay off quickly by a longer life and lower energy bills. Low energy lighting use approximately 80% less power than incandescent bulbs. In practice it means an 80% reduction in the energy costs.

In the past this type of lighting used to produce cold light in comparison to warm and bright light coming from traditional bulbs. Technology has improved, however, and nowadays also low energy bulbs give warm and white light.