Electric bulbs for the house. Energy-saving light bulbs: pluses and minuses. The best energy-saving light bulbs

You will need

• determine the most appropriate type of energy saving light bulb;
• to visit a specialized store;
• buy an energy-saving light bulb.

Instructions

When buying an energy-saving light bulb, ask the seller to check it in your presence - it should flare up completely, and not just turn on. This process usually takes no more than 2-3 seconds. After the lamp goes to "mode", pay attention to what color it radiates: warm white or cold. The latter option is most suitable for non-residential or subsidiary premises. But for a house or apartment it is best to give preference to a warm color. In addition, you can purchase an energy-saving lamp, which has a minimum color temperature - an excellent option for rooms such as a bedroom or kitchen. The color of the device and its color temperature should be indicated on the packaging.

If you purchase an energy-saving lamp for a specific lighting device, be sure to take into account the fact that such products usually have rather impressive dimensions. Therefore, the big question is whether the lamp will fit, for example, in a small desk lamp. But, at the same time, unlike incandescent lamps, such devices do not heat up during operation, as a result of which you can safely put them in lighting fixtures from a wide variety of materials.

In addition, when choosing an energy-saving light bulb, keep in mind that most experts recommend buying products made not in Europe, but in our country. This is explained by the fact that it is the bulbs of domestic manufacturers that are most suitable for use in our homes and apartments (if we take into account some features of operation: sudden voltage surges, sudden power outages, etc.).

Energy-saving light bulbs can also be made in the form of an arc or a spiral - choose whatever you like best. Despite the fact that they differ in the form of the gas cylinder, their characteristics are exactly the same. Therefore, the main thing here is for the light bulb to fit in size - its base should be identical to the patron of your lighting device. Energy-saving light bulbs can have standard or narrow bases (E14 and E27).

And, of course, when choosing an energy-saving light bulb, do not forget about the warranty. Serious manufacturing companies set a guarantee period for such lamps at least 2 years. However, some sellers banally deceive customers and give their guarantee - much more modest. Probably not worth saying that buying an energy-saving light bulb in a similar store is not the best option.

For many years now, there has been an active promotion of energy saving in all media, and various so-called energy-saving lamps. But we know that any landlord will say that he is primarily interested in two issues - the cost of a light bulb and the duration of its service. Let's try to figure out whether such an energy-saving lamp is really better than the usual light bulb with a filament and if so, how to choose it correctly.

Types of energy-saving light bulbs

Energy-saving lamps come in two types - fluorescent and LED. Perhaps the main difference between the "new" lamps and the "Ilyich bulbs" is that they use all the energy they consume into visible light, without any losses. But incandescent lamps "give" us in the form of light no more than 10 - 15% of the consumed energy. Ask where the remaining 90-85% goes - it is converted to thermal radiation. So, our usual light bulbs rather warm than shine. Therefore, when buying an energy-saving lamp, you need to think about where it will be installed.

   In other words, the power of the incandescent bulb burned earlier in this place needs to be divided by about 6 to get the equivalent power indicated on the energy-saving lamp package. For example, if a 150-watt lamp was burning in the corridor, then the same light would be given by a saving lamp with a power of 25 W. If this was too much, then a new lamp should be chosen with a lower power.

Selecting and buying a lamp

When buying a lamp, it must be checked in the store, and in the presence of the buyer. You should wait until it flares up completely, and not just make sure that the lamp is lit - this will take 2-4 seconds. After the lamp goes out to "mode", you need to pay attention to the way it lights up. There are lamps of cold and warm white light. The first is advisable to install in subsidiary, non-residential rooms, so they are often used to illuminate premises in various organizations.

But warm light, of course, it is better to buy for a house, an apartment. There are also lamps with a color temperature of half the size, and they are great for rooms such as a kitchen and bedroom. The color temperature and the color of your new lamp will be indicated directly on the package.

If the lamp is taken for a specific illuminator, then you need to take into account that energy-saving lamps have slightly larger dimensions. It will fit, say, in the plafond, or not - a question. However, there is a big plus, among others - such lamps in the process of "work" do not heat up, unlike incandescent lamps, so they can be safely put in lighting from any material.

Naturally, one must bear in mind that energy-saving lamps are produced in many countries. Experts advise buying products made in Europe and, do not be surprised, in Russia. It is the lamps of these manufacturers that have proved themselves well. It seems that we should not talk about lamps manufactured in China. Do not need to rack your brains, which of the two lamps you choose - spiral or arc. Despite the different shape of the gas cylinder, their characteristics are exactly the same, so the main thing is to fit the size. By the way, such lamps are still similar to a pear or a ball - it depends on the manufacturer's imagination.

It is necessary to pay attention to what the manufacturer and the seller give. Serious manufacturing companies guarantee a warranty period of 2 years. However, some sellers "cunning" and give their own, "sales" guarantee, which is much "more modest". If so, then it is better to buy a lamp in another trading organization. It seems that there is no point in talking about the identity of the lamp cap, which is taken for a certain lighting device, and a cartridge.

   The "new" lamps have socles "normal", and there are also narrow (socles E27 and E14). It is necessary to know that the frame of the cap of such lamps is somewhat larger in diameter - this is because they have inside the starters.

Those same starters, which we are used to in lamps with lamps daylight  and who often misled us about their serviceability. Well, this is perhaps all that the consumer needs to know about energy-saving lamps.

Since the emergence of energy-saving lamps in the markets, conventional incandescent lamps have rapidly started to take their positions. This is due to the fact that it comes from the very name of the product - energy saving. However, the freshest scientific research dumbfounded buyers with the statement that energy-saving lamps are dangerous. How to choose a "housekeeper", weigh all the pros and cons and come to a single right decision?

  advantages and disadvantages

First let's talk about the merits of these products.

• Energy saving is due to high light output. Filament lamps significantly lag behind energy-saving ones in this indicator, since more than 85% of all energy expended goes to the accumulation of heat that enters the tungsten wire. In the housekeeper, the same electricity is directly converted into light.
• Continuing to talk about which energy saving light bulbs  The pros and cons have, you can not forget about the durability of these devices. The average time that the bulb can work without interruptions is 6-15 thousand hours. The structure of such lamps does not include a filament, which over time burns out. Therefore, the period that a housekeeper can serve, at times exceeds the time of operation of incandescent lamps.
• Energy-saving lamps allow the user to choose the level of illumination.
• The best energy-saving light bulbs do not overheat even at the highest power. Therefore, they can be used in cramped luminaires made of materials that can deform from heat. At the same time, incandescent bulbs can melt the plafond, plastic accessories on the chandelier and even wires, which is very dangerous.
• The light is distributed evenly throughout the room. In the construction of conventional light bulbs, light is radiated directly from the tungsten filament in only one direction. Energy-saving lamp distributes light as evenly as possible thanks to the fact that everything is shining. Researchers note that this effect lowers the level of fatigue in human eyes.

Energy-saving lamps and their disadvantages

So, continuing to talk about what energy-saving lamps have pros and cons, let's now dwell on the shortcomings.

• The time that can serve directly depends on the selected mode. In rooms where the light is switched on / off all the time, energy-saving lamps are not suitable.
• The price is quite high (from 75 to 350 rubles.).
• Duration of warm-up. Instantly illuminate the room with the help of this lamp is impossible, because it warms up gradually. On average this process lasts 2 minutes.

• The possibility of flicker that irritates the eyes is not excluded.
• Energy-saving lamps emit ultraviolet radiation. Such rays are dangerous for all people, because they negatively affect the skin, especially for those whose skin is very sensitive. They are categorically forbidden to be close to such lamps, no closer than 30 cm. An excess of ultraviolet radiation leads to skin diseases. According to studies conducted by physicians, the optimum lamp power for people with problem skin is 21 watts and below.
• These lamps can not be used in chandeliers, where the regulation of the intensity of lighting is provided. This is due to inappropriate design: when the voltage drops at least 10% of the standard, energy-saving light bulbs are turned off due to lack of power.
• By its chemical composition, the lamps are not dangerous in daily use. However, breaking up, they release mercury and phosphorus into the air. Pairs of these substances from a single bulb, according to research scientists, are able to exceed the permissible rate by 20 times, from which pregnant women and children who are at this point in the room, can receive irreparable health problems. If an energy-saving light bulb is broken, what to do, a simple user does not always know, so there is a set of certain rules that we gave at the end of the article.
• Mandatory special disposal. Burnt-out lamps are strictly forbidden to be disposed of together with all other waste.

Choosing an energy-saving lamp

To date, the market provides a large selection of products such as energy-saving light bulbs. How to choose this product, so that the lamp suits us according to its characteristics and cost.

Earlier, when we chose an incandescent bulb, our attention was most often occupied by the questions: how complete is the tungsten filament, the plinth and what is the power. Proceeding from the latter, we mechanically began to calculate how many kilowatts the meter will show after using one such bulb. An essentially low rate, therefore, a relatively small fee for its consumption - these are the advantages for which consumers prefer light bulbs energy-saving, the price is higher, but they pay off over time. And the service life of the "economy" is big.

Considering which energy-saving lamps have pros and cons, we talked about such an important indicator as the time of work. The average operating time of a fairly compact fluorescent lamp is not less than 8,000 hours. At the same time, at least 8 ordinary bulbs will be needed. In order to save your own funds, you should also opt for a more economical option.

The most popular are linear ones, they are rather compact due to the smaller diameter of the tube and the reduced content of mercury.

The base of energy-saving lamps

The plinths have a standard size, therefore both for incandescent and for fluorescent lamps type one - E27.

Also, E-14 type socles are possible for cases when lamps have a non-standard size, less than usual.

Energy Saving Bulbs: Power

The power of energy-saving light bulbs varies in the range of 3-90 W. When choosing a lamp for a house, it is necessary to remember that the level of light output of such lamps is 5 times higher than that of conventional lamps. You can pick up the lamp for the room with a simple mathematical operation, you need to divide the power of the incandescent lamp by 5 and we will understand what we need to buy energy-saving light bulbs. How to choose a given product for other indicators, consider below.

Color metric

Fluorescent lamps are designed using special technologies that allow reproducing different levels of illumination. These colors correspond to the scale cold-warm. The color temperature depends on the quantitative index. The higher the temperature characteristics, the light reproduced by the lamp will be closer to the cold tones, and the room will be filled with blue light. Conversely, a low temperature will fill the room with a reddish color.

This indicator is calculated as follows:

• Below 4000 K - warm shades.
• 4000-6400 K - daylight.
• 6500 and above - cold shades, approaching the blue.

The rules for operating energy-saving lamps so that they do not blink

Considering energy-saving light bulbs, pros and cons of these products, you can not avoid the question of blinking a light bulb. It's bad as for the lamp itself - it burns out faster, and for a person - frequent changes of lighting have a bad effect on the nerves and eyes of a person.

Let's look at why the switched off energy-saving light is blinking and how to deal with possible problem  this phenomenon.

• From the safety point of view, the switches must be connected to the phase, not to zero.
• When using fluorescent lamps, the switches should not be equipped with a backlight indicator.
• That the lamps do not blink, it is necessary to pay attention to more qualitative models. They should have a turn-off delay of at least 2 seconds, then the bulbs will not blink, even if the switch has a built-in night illumination.
• It is desirable in a chandelier for a few plafonds to twist one ordinary bulb.

Precautions for the operation of lamps

Lamps designed for medium power, usually contain about 1 mg of mercury. This is approximately like one bead on the end of the ampoule with the handle paste. The thermometers contain about 500 mg. Despite the fact that the difference in mercury content in a lamp and thermometer is quite high, using lamps, do not forget about caution. Even a small amount of fumes should not get into the air. However, it is not always possible to avoid such situations.

Broken energy saving light bulb

Many buyers ask themselves: "If an energy-saving light bulb broke, what should I do?" If it still broke, the following measures should be taken:

• All strangers must leave the room, bypassing the place with a broken lamp.
• It is necessary to ventilate the room well.
• Ventilate only with windows, the artificial air conditioning system must be switched off.
• If an energy-saving light bulb is broken, its fragments and residues must be collected with thick paper and placed in a hermetically sealed jar or cellophane bag.
• Collect small parts and powder with tape or adhesive tape.
• The place where the fragments were, should be treated with wet napkins. All materials that were used to collect residues must also be placed in a sealed bag.
• If an energy-saving light bulb is broken, never collect mercury residues with a vacuum cleaner.
• All things that are in contact with the fragments must be discarded. The same ones that are simply soaked in pairs should be washed well.
• Shoes should be immediately wiped with napkins and left in the open air to be ventilated.
• All unnecessary things should be disposed of, and necessary to thoroughly ventilate.
• After disposal of all waste, wash hands well.

The incandescent lamps that are familiar to us every year more and more go to the past.

Since electricity tariffs are constantly growing (the recent increase took place on September 1, and on April 1, 2016 Ukrainians are waiting for another "blow" with expensive current), the consumer has to look for ways to reduce costs.

One of them is the purchase of energy-efficient light bulbs. In shops now offer two types of such lamps - luminescent (they are often called energy-saving) and LED. They are more expensive than usual "Ilyich bulbs" (5-15 UAH): the first stand from 40 UAH / piece, the second - from 90 UAH / piece. However, they are economically attractive and have a long service life.

Repeated calculations, which Vesti made earlier, show that such lamps pay for itself after 5-6 months of work. Also, we note that they are guaranteed for 2-3 years (whereas for ordinary incandescent lamps - only 2 weeks): if the lamp burns during this time, it will be replaced by a new one (we need to keep the check and the box). So what to take?

Immediately mention that these two types of energy-efficient lamps have the option of choosing the color temperature (it is indicated either in kelvin, or descriptively).

Warm white (2700 K) - an analogue of the characteristics of the incandescent lamp (yellowish tint), these lamps are suitable for a bedroom. Neutral white (4200 K) is suitable for lighting work surfaces (writing desk or kitchen). Cool white (above 6400 K) - for a living room or a corridor.

LED Light Bulb

The source of light in such lamps are LEDs (semiconductors that emit light when exposed to electric current). The main advantage is low power consumption without sacrificing brightness. That is, a 9-watt LED will give the same light as a 60-watt incandescent lamp, and will consume 8 times less energy.

The declared service life is 30-50 thousand hours (up to 20 years of operation!). The plus is that they do not warm themselves - there is no risk of fire and you can experiment with interior design. In addition, the socle lED Light Bulbs  they can be installed in all types of fixtures. Such lamps do not contain any harmful substances, so there is no danger if they break up, and they can be safely thrown away without harming the environment.

The light of LED-lamps (from famous manufacturers) does not create an additional burden on the eyes. The main disadvantage is the price. However, they are at most twice as expensive as luminescent ones. Also, since such lamps in mass sale appeared relatively recently, no one has been able to check whether they really work for the stated number of hours.

Not all manufacturers can give an honest "warm" light: it is better to check this parameter when buying, since there is a risk of buying a lamp with both dazzling white light and giving too yellow light.

LED-lamps do not work with traditional dimmer switches: if you need the ability to adjust the brightness, you will need to install a special dimmer for LEDs (more than double). In cheap Chinese lamps, by saving on capacitors, high-frequency flickering (harmful to the eyes) occurs.

Energy-saving (CFL) lamps

The correct name of the so-called. energy saving lamps - compact fluorescent lamps  (CFL). In its flask there are electrodes of tungsten, on which activating substances (a mixture of oxides of barium, calcium, strontium) are deposited, and it is itself filled with an inert gas with a small amount of mercury vapor. When the voltage is applied between the electrodes, an electric charge arises and it ignites. True, not immediately, but with a delay of 0.5-1.5 seconds (the built-in soft start system during this time "warms up" the electrodes).

Plus KLL - energy consumption is 5 times lower than that of a conventional incandescent lamp. The service life also pleases - 10-15 thousand hours (4-7 years of operation).

The main disadvantage of such lamps is that they contain mercury in their composition, so they can not be thrown away like ordinary household rubbish, but must be disposed of for disposal. If it breaks down in an apartment, the premise should be urgently put on airing (several hours), otherwise it is possible for acute poisoning with mercury vapor up to a lethal outcome (there were such cases).

In addition, when fluorescent tubes work, a small amount of ultraviolet radiation is released to the outside - this detrimental to the cornea and the retina of the eye and leads to poor eyesight. Therefore, it is highly recommended that CFLs not be screwed into nightlights or table lamps.

Declared lifetime during operation in our realities is often not maintained - due to current fluctuations in our networks, the lamps often burn. Also, their service life is reduced (up to 7-8 thousand hours) frequent on-off, operation at high humidity (as in the bathroom). Over time, they lose their brightness. Such lamps are bulky enough, and they can not be screwed into some compact fixtures.

Where to eject energy-saving lamps

You need to take the power bulbs, but nowhere. Knowing about the problems that CFL lamps (as well as batteries) create for the environment, Vesti have found out where they can be recycled.

The points of reception in Kiev are three. In the first of them, the operational and rescue service in Kiev (Zhilyanskaya St., 26a), we were told that they had a clogged warehouse and the reception was suspended. Like, the only processing plant is in Lugansk. And in private companies, "Demicon" and "Environmental Laboratory" do not work with natural persons. A legal entity for the disposal of lamps pay 5 UAH per unit.

Traditionally, most people use incandescent lamps to illuminate houses and apartments. Based on the needs of necessary lighting, different power is used - 40 W, 60 W, 100 W.

We all know from school that the efficiency in conventional incandescent lamps is very small (only up to 50%). Consequently, only half of the electricity consumed by the incandescent lamp goes to real light. As for the remaining half - it goes to heat this very light bulb.

Fortunately, science and technological progress are rapidly developing and old incandescent lamps have a worthy alternative - complex fluorescent lamps (KHL), which are also called energy saving lamps.

If we start from the term "energy-saving" (lamp), then to this class, we can safely attribute any type of electric lamp, which consumes less electricity per unit light flux, against the background of a conventional incandescent lamp.

Powersave lampis a fluorescent lamp 5-6 generation. Not so long ago, such lamps were not so widely used because they were manufactured in the form of tubes of different lengths, which created some difficulties for their installation and replacement (in comparison with incandescent lamps). In fact, the energy-saving light bulb consists of three parts: the cap, the electronic ballast (EHF) and the fluorescent lamp or bulb. It is these components that determine their varieties. Nowadays there are quite a few types of energy-saving lamps that differ in quality, form, size, price, principle of operation, shape of the cap, emitted spectrum, etc.

What are the principal differences between an energy-saving lamp and an incandescent lamp?

As the mechanism of the incandescent lamp is known, almost everyone knows. The tungsten filament in this lamp is heated up to a bright glow under the influence of an electric current. However, not everyone knows how to install energy-saving lamps.

Energy-saving light bulbs consist of a bulb that is filled with mercury and argon pores, and a ballast (starter). On inner surface  flasks there is a special substance called luminophor (under the influence of ultraviolet radiation it glows).

When the energy-saving light bulb is turned on, the mercury vapor contained in it, under the influence of electromagnetic radiation, creates ultraviolet radiation, which in turn passes through the phosphor (applied to the lamp surface), is converted into visible light.

The phosphor can be of different shades, thus creating different colors of the light flux. The design of modern energy-saving lamps provides standard dimensions habitual lampsincandescent. The base of these lamps has a diameter of 14 or 27 mm, which makes it possible to use energy-saving lamps in any chandeliers, lamps or sconces for which incandescent lamps have been used before.

Energy saving lamps as a way to save energy

If energy-saving lamps are used, there is a possibility of saving electric power  (in comparison with incandescent lamps) to 85%, as well as funds. In addition, when using such lamps, the load on the wiring is reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of unforeseen fires or knocked-out plugs.

There is such an indicator of lamp operation as light output (the ratio of light output and power consumption, which is 50-100 Lm / W for energy-saving lamps and only 10-15 Lm / W for incandescent lamps). The ability of the lamp to save energy depends on this. In other words, the light output of energy-saving lamps is five times greater than that of incandescent lamps, therefore, from work, it is necessary to have five times less electrical energy than in the case of ordinary incandescent lamps.

The energy efficiency class of such lamps is indicated by their marking (energy-saving lamps are A and B, and incandescent bulbs have E and F). Obviously, energy efficiency class of energy-saving lamps is much higher.

Advantages of energy saving lamps

- One of the main advantages of energy-saving lamps is their high luminous efficiency (the ratio between the light flux and the power consumption) exceeds by several times the same indicator of incandescent lamps. The energy-saving component consists precisely in the fact that the maximum amount of electricity that is supplied to an energy-saving lamp is converted into light, while in incandescent lamps, about 50% of the electricity is expended to heat the tungsten wire.

- Also an undeniable advantage of energy-saving lamps is a long service life (from 6 to 15 thousand hours of continuous combustion), and this is about 20 times longer than incandescent lamps. And all because the most common reason for replacing the incandescent lamp is the burning of the filament. The mechanism of energy saving.

- In the case of energy-saving lamps, it is possible to choose the color of the glow (day, natural or warm). The bottom line is that the lower the color temperature, the color is closer to red, the higher - to blue.

- Another advantage of such lamps is low heat dissipation. Due to the high efficiency of the lamp, little heat is produced, since all the electricity expended is converted into light. That is why energy-saving light bulbs can be safely put in any chandeliers and fixtures, without fear that they can melt the case, wires or cartridge when heated.

- The light of energy-saving lamps is distributed evenly and softer on the foul of incandescent lamps, which is also a pleasant plus. This is due to the fact that the energy-saving lamp glows throughout its entire area (due to which the person's eyes are not so tired), but in the incandescent lamp.

Disadvantages of energy-saving lamps

- The service life of energy-saving lamps is largely determined by the mode of their operation. Manufacturers indicate on the boxes the service life of the lamps (6000, 8000, 15000 hours, etc.), but this is only relevant if properly used. Namely, such lamps are undesirably often switched on and off, they are affected by the quality of the voltage (in the case of a decrease in the voltage in the network, more than 10% of the lamps are not lit), as well as the type of lighting device and the orientation of the lamp in space.

- The phase of heating for such lamps lasts up to 2 minutes, from which it is logical to conclude that they need time to achieve maximum brightness.

- It happens that during the operation of energy-saving lamps, flicker appears. This is due to the fact that, when the switch is off, the circuit still remains closed. And it happens like this: a closed circuit is formed due to switches with backlighting, when the current passes through the control lamp or in case of leakage due to contamination inside the switch body (which may even be imperceptible to the eyes). To prevent such outbreaks, it is recommended to put a two-pole switch (as it breaks the circuit immediately along two wires and is guaranteed not to allow voltage to the lamp).

- At night, the lamps can spontaneously break out for a fraction of a second. The frequency of such flares can range from a few minutes to several hours.

- The design of such lamps limits the scope of their use, namely they are incompatible with dimmers (dimmers). Most energy-saving lamps can not be adjusted, and when you try to dim the light, they simply go out. In the case of dimmers, the situation is somewhat more complicated, since not all of them are suitable for controlling such lamps. The type of lamp for which the dimmer is designed is indicated in the accompanying documentation and, most often, under the front panel. When trying to adjust the light of an energy-saving lamp with a dimmer designed exclusively for incandescent lamps, it may cause the dimmer to fail after some time. There is still a way out of the situation - replacement of the dimmer (most often this model will be more expensive) in case of replacing the lamp with an energy-saving lamp (as a rule, for a more expensive model).

- Essential minus energy-saving lamps  is that a person must be away from them at a distance of at least 30 centimeters. Due to the high level of ultraviolet radiation of such lamps, when close to them, harm can be caused to people with excessively sensitive skin and those who are prone to dermatological diseases. But a person who is at a distance of more than 30 centimeters from the lamps, there will be no harm.

But, in spite of all this, the human exposure to fluorescent lighting is significantly lower than that of natural solar radiation.

- It should be taken into account the fact that energy-saving lamps are not designed for operation in low-temperature conditions (-15-20ºC), and in the case of high temperatures, the intensity of their light radiation decreases. This is explained by the fact that the lower the concentration of mercury vapor in a particular lamp , the worse it will "work" or just will not glow. For low temperatures there are special series of lamps, but their cost is much higher and on the shelves of shops they are extremely rare.

- Among the shortcomings of such lamps, we should also mention the content of phosphorus and mercury, which, although in small quantities, are inside the energy-saving bulbs. This can harm a person's health if the lamp is disassembled, the lamp is harmless in the usual work. For the same reason, energy saving bulbs require special disposal (they can not simply be thrown into garbage containers, which creates certain problems).

- Another disadvantage of energy-saving lamps on the background of traditional incandescent lamps is a high price. However, their cost should be compensated for by significantly reducing the payment for consumed electricity.

What is important to pay attention to when choosing energy-saving lamps

Power. Energy-saving lamps can have different power (range from 3 to 90 W). It is important to remember that the efficiency of such a lamp is very high and the light output is about 5 times greater than that of an incandescent bulb. Therefore, choosing energy-saving lamps, for simplicity, you can simply divide the power of an incandescent lamp by five. If a regular incandescent lamp with a power of 100 W was used in its lighting device, it would be appropriate to buy a 20-watt housekeeper.

The size. Energy-saving lamps, most often, there are two main forms: U-like or in the form of a spiral. Differences in the principle of operation of these types of lamps are not, differences are determined only by the dimensions. U-shaped lamps are easy to manufacture and cost less than spiral lamps, but slightly larger in size. Before buying such lamps, it is better to determine in due time whether the chosen U-like energy saving lamp is suitable for a particular lighting device. Spiral lamps are more difficult to manufacture, they are somewhat more expensive than U-like ones, but the price is compensated by traditional dimensions (like incandescent bulbs), hence they are suitable for all light devices where incandescent bulbs were used before.

Type of socle. Energy-saving lamps, like incandescent lamps, can have a different type of cap. Main part lighting devices  is designed for socle E27. But there are also devices with a socle E14. If a large incandescent bulb is screwed into your chandelier, it is most likely the socle E27. If the lamp with a small or medium incandescent bulb, it must be the E14 base.

All these characteristics of energy-saving lamps, manufacturers write on the packaging.

For example, the inscription ESS-02A 20W E27 6400K on the DeLux package means that the lamp has a power of 20 W, with a large base (E27), radiates cold white light (6400K).

Color of light. Energy-saving lamps can shine in different colors. This characteristic is determined by the color temperature of the energy-saving lamp.

2700 K - white light is warm.

4200 K - daylight.

6400 K - cold white light.

The lower the color temperature characteristic of the energy saving lamp, the more the color spectrum approaches red, the higher the color spectrum shifts to blue. In this situation, you can experiment with the selection of the optimal color, before replacing all the bulbs in the apartment with one color. Choose the color you need not only based on the specifics of the interior, but also take into account the features of vision. Just the color created by an energy-saving light bulb differs from the usual light from an incandescent bulb, and some people find it difficult to adapt quickly to it, especially if the color is picked up unsuccessfully. For residential premises it is recommended to use warmer colors - soft white color (warm glow).

Types of energy saving lamps

Energy-saving lamps for household use are divided into halogen, fluorescent and LED. These types of lamps  in different ways save electricity.

– fluorescent energy saving lamps  (gas-discharge lamps) save about 80% of electricity;

– lED Energy Saving Lamp  save from 80% to 90%;

– halogen  Lamps save electricity from 30% to 50%.

  Fluorescent lamps

Nowadays, it is the fluorescent lamps that are most popular.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are discharge light sources in which electricity  and an inert gas containing a small amount of mercury vapor is used to produce ultraviolet radiation. It is this radiation, falling on the phosphor (The name "luminescent" comes from luminescent powders, the mixture of which covers the walls of the bulbs of such lamps .This mixture is called a luminophore)  is converted into visible light.

  Fluorescent light bulbs are manufactured:

- tubular;

- in the form of a ring (for use in flat luminaires);

- Compact (the most common, they are a smaller version of the tubular, but much smaller).

Among   advantages of compact fluorescent lampsin comparison with incandescent lamps:

- possibility to save electricity up to 80% (against the background of incandescent lamps);

- long service life (6-15 times the service life of incandescent lamps, and can be from 6000 to 15,000 hours, depending on the type of lamp);

- KPL produce less heat than incandescent lamps, so they can be safely used for lighting, without fear that the lamps can damage them when heated;

- Such lamps have a wide range of color tones (from warm to cold shades of daylight).

The disadvantages of CPL include:

- presence of mercury (2.5 to 5 mg). Incidentally, a mercury thermometer contains from 610 to 2250 mg of mercury;

- sensitivity to the regime of frequent on-off;

- deterioration of light output at low temperatures (below 10-15 ° C);

- the need to warm up to full power (30-45 seconds at room temperature);

- the complexity of disposal (since they contain mercury);

- the inability to use CPL in fixtures that are controlled by dimmers.

Halogen lamps

  Halogen lamps areimproved incandescent lamps, which contain halogen elements, allowing not to lose brightness after a lapse of time. The spectrum of light of such lamps is close to the spectrum of solar daylight and, therefore, the colors of warm neutral gamma are well transmitted (as well as the complexion of a person).

The trouble is that halogen lamps are relatively conditional to energy-saving light sources, in comparison only with conventional lamps  incandescent, since they serve only 2-3 times longer than the latter and are twice as economical as them. Types halogen lamps  vary in power.

- high quality of light transmission;

- long service life;

- narrow beam distribution;

- stability of brightness of light;

- small size;

- high level of safety - low-voltage (even in conditions of high humidity of the room);

- possibility to use such lamps with dimmers.

Disadvantages of halogen lamps

- high temperature of the bulb (it can reach up to 500 ° C) - it is necessary to adhere to the safety rules (for example, to maintain the necessary distance between the lamp and the suspended ceiling);

- sensitivity to voltage surges;

- The impossibility of touching such lamps with your bare hands - there remain greasy stains, which may entail the melting of the glass bulb (the lamp can be taken with a piece of cloth, and if there are spots on the bulb - wipe them with alcohol).

LED lamp

  LED lamp  - this is the last word in the coverage. To date, most often, they are used in decorative, architectural and landscape lighting. A distinctive feature of LEDs is a high coefficient of efficiency and a long period of operation (50-80 thousand hours). Such a light source can emit blue, green, red, yellow or white color.

Advantages of halogen lamps

- long service life;

- low power consumption (80% - 90% of energy saving against the background of the usual incandescent lamps);

- Vibration resistance, therefore, high strength;

- Directivity of radiation;

- ecological compatibility (absence of mercury in other harmful substances);

- a variety of colors;

- Adjustable intensity;

- fire safety (since such lamps are practically not heated);

- low operating voltage.

Disadvantages of halogen lamps

- high price.

There are two types of energy-saving lamps on the plinth:

- for a regular cartridge (marked E27);

- for a small cartridge (marked E14).

In the form of energy-saving lamps are produced:

- U-shaped;

- in the form of a spiral.

!   The work of such lamps does not depend on their shape, although spiral lamps are more expensive, since they are more difficult to manufacture.

- Another important criterion in choosing energy-saving lamps is the color of the radiation. The human eye perceives different light sources differently. According to this indicator, the lamps are distinguished:

- Daylight;

- warm white color;

- neutral white;

- Cold white.

– Energy-saving lamps differ in the diameter of the flasks:

By power, energy-saving lamps are from 3 to 85 watts.

What should I look for when choosing energy-saving lamps

Despite wide range of energy saving lamps, when choosing them for lighting residential premises, there are not so many options. Proceeding from the fact that in apartments and houses, in the majority of cases, usual cartridges are used - a suitable version of E27 lamps with a capacity of not more than 15-25 W (otherwise the lighting may be too bright). The next step is to decide in which room the light bulb will be replaced (for large rooms where people often gather, it is better to choose a neutral-white light bulb, and, for example, in a bedroom or a restroom - warm white). In order to save money, it is better to give preference to lamps with a U-shaped bulb.

How to choose a quality energy-saving lamp so that it does not burn out in a couple of days?

First of all, it is necessary to give preference to lamps of well-known manufacturers. The cost of such lamps, of course, is higher than the lamps of most little-known Chinese manufacturers. You should carefully read everything that is written on the package. It is not superfluous to ask the seller for the warranty period of the purchased lamps. Give preference to lamps, which are given a guarantee for 2-3 years of use. Lamps with warranty periods of 6-7 months are best avoided.

When to use energy-saving lamps economically

The service life of the incandescent lamp, on average, is about 1-2 thousand and 5-10 thousand hours, and the energy-saving lamp (largely depends on the type and manufacturer) - up to 100 thousand hours, besides it is five times more economical (9-10 Watts versus 100 and 25 watts respectively).

Energy-saving light bulbs will be the right solution for fixtures that work at least three hours a day. In this case, in view of lower costs, the energy-saving light bulb will pay for itself in about 3 years. And since any energy-saving lamps last longer than traditional incandescent lamps, then after the bulb has paid off, you will begin, figuratively speaking, to "earn" money to save electricity.

To more accurately calculate the comparative efficiency of LED lamps, we need to compare the indicators of total energy consumption for the year, the cost of electricity and lamp life. Plus, in the calculations it is worth considering the costs of more frequent replacement of incandescent and fluorescent products. On the average, based on approximate calculations, the economic efficiency of diodes is 4 times higher than that for incandescent lamps and about 25% for fluorescent lamps.

It is worth emphasizing that such calculations can be true only in the case of using quality products that are really capable of serving the put 50-100 thousand hours. If we talk about cheap Chinese light bulbs of incomprehensible production, then they can come out much earlier than expected, and there is no question of saving in such cases.