What to Choose Now that Incandescent Light Bulbs Aren't Going to Be Around

According to the Baltimore Sun newspaper, the Jan. 1 phaseout of old-style 40- and 60-watt bulbs is the third step in the change to more efficient forms of lighting. The first step, in 2012, targeted 100-watt bulbs and was followed last year by the elimination of traditional 75-watt bulbs. .The law doesn’t ban incandescent bulbs, but only requires them to be more energy efficient.

Now consumers have three choices: compact fluorescent light bulbs, LED bulbs and halogen bulbs. We decided to post this to help you make a good choice. 

1)  Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, are long-lasting and stingy on energy use and relatively inexpensive. But  these have a small amount of mercury. DOWNSIDE: They have to be disposed of at certain Recycle Centers. MERCURY can't be tossed in the trash.

2) LED bulbs are illuminated by light-emitting diodes. They last for decades and use even less energy than CFLs, but they are still fairly expensive.**THIS IS OUR CHOICE- It also provides the brightest light and DOESN'T get hot, and doesn't have any toxic substances**

3) Halogen bulbs are the most like the old familiar incandescent bulbs. They don’t save nearly as much electricity or last as long as the others. DOWNSIDE - They get VERY hot, quickly.

Read more: http://baltimoresun.p2ionline.com/RealEstate/ss/index.aspx?adgroupid=220086&webstoryid=23407801&articleID=23407798&adid=2976980&type=art&&menu=3#ixzz2qQHYNtKx