The Brightest and Lowest-Voltage Lighting

Compact Fluorescent

• The most widespread alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs are compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs. These bulbs work in much the same way as a traditional fluorescent light, using electricity to light mercury vapor, but are designed to replace incandescent bulbs in home fixtures such as lamps and ceiling fans. They are slightly more expensive than are incandescent bulbs, but can save money over time because of their longer lifespan and reduced energy consumption.

LED Lighting

• LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are another low-voltage lighting solution becoming more widely available. Originally used as indicator lights on electronics, LEDs consume very little energy and have a longer lifespan than do either compact fluorescent lamps or incandescent bulbs. Their cost remains relatively high, and more LEDs are required to produce the same luminescence as traditional bulbs, but they are becoming more widespread because of their versatility, long life and bright light.

Halogen Lamps

• Halogen lamps are also commonly found in the home. They are incandescent bulbs, but their high efficacy allows them to continue being sold while traditional incandescent bulbs are phased out. They work in a similar way as do other incandescent bulbs, but their combination of halogen and tungsten filament produces a chemical reaction that gives them a longer lifespan. A major disadvantage of halogen bulbs is their high temperature. Because of how these bulbs work, they become much hotter than do traditional incandescent lamps.

Electron Stimulated Luminescence

• One of the most recent low-voltage lighting technologies to emerge is electron stimulated luminescence, which relies on electrons hitting a phosphor-coated surface inside a glass envelope. These bulbs combine advantages of many other low-voltage lighting solutions, providing light instantly when switched on and working with dimmer switches. They also work without mercury, a significant advantage over CFLs. As of June 2011, this type of lighting is still developing, but is expected to come to market later in 2011.