Advantages of Fluorescent Lights

Energy Efficiency

• The main advantage of fluorescent lights over their incandescent counterpart is energy efficiency. These lights can operate with 65 to 75 percent more efficiency, meaning less waste and lower electricity requirements. A single fluorescent light bulb can be utilized to replace an incandescent bulb that operates at three to four times its watt power.

Length of Life

• Another key problem with incandescent lighting, which has remained relatively unchanged since Thomas Edison's tungsten filament version, is lifespan. Even the best incandescent bulbs burn out at roughly 2,500 hours of use; however, a fluorescent light lasts, on average, 10 times longer. Compact fluorescent lamps --- the smallest type of fluorescent bulb --- last, on average, around 10,000 hours, while straight tube lights, the kind commonly found in kitchens and office buildings, can last up to 24,000 hours.

Outlets

• Another advantage --- specific to a compact fluorescent lamp --- is the outlet. Although straight tubes require a special ballast for installation due to their large size, smaller CFL light bulbs are roughly the size of their incandescent light counterparts. A smaller CFL bulb also has a fitting on the end that allows it to fit into the same socket that holds an incandescent light; this allows an easy and immediate change for consumers who decide to switch to fluorescent lighting.

Cost

• Fluorescent lighting should be thought of as a long-term investment for homeowners. Initially, it costs more than its incandescent counterparts, usually in the range of a few dollars more. Due to its lower operational cost and increased lifespan, fluorescent lighting both lowers your electricity bill and requires fewer replacements than incandescent lighting, making it a lower-cost solution in the long run.