Get Sunlight at Night with Fluorescent Light

Fluorescent light bulbs are one of the new and modern energy efficient lighting products that give off bright white light. They are a cost effective and energy saving alternative for the regular filament light bulbs that give off less intense and yellowish light - they last 10 times as long, use less than a fifth of the energy, and waste less energy as heat (they don't heat up as much).

It is now becoming a trend by plant growing hobbyists to use fluorescent light bulbs (mainly, T5 fluorescent lamps) to provide indoor plants with the light they need for photosynthesis.

Indoor growers make use of fluorescent light bulbs as they discharge, or give off, high intensity light containing the full spectrum colors which can perform the same task as sunlight - minus the heat, of course. This is one huge benefit of fluorescent light bulbs, in addition to its energy saving advantages over most other alternatives.

Why are fluorescent light bulbs more energy efficient than incandescent (filament) lamps? The answer to this question is simple - the way that fluorescent light bulbs produce light is completely different from that of incandescent filament bulbs.

Fluorescent light bulbs make use of electron and photon emission line spectrum (a specific activity of photons and electrons in quantum mechanics) to give off their light. They are usually made of a coiled glass tube, or two U-shaped glass tubes that are supported supported at the base by two distinct electrodes - one positive and one negative. When the light bulb is turned on (once the electricity starts to flow), electrons travel from the negative electrode into the glass tube which contains a small amount of mercury vapor, a layer of phosphor coating, and argon gas.

The electrons collide with the isolated atoms of mercury, promoting them to a higher energy state until they eventually move back down; at which point they release photons of ultraviolet light. This is the process of emission line spectrum.

Finally, these U-V photons hit the layer of phosphor coating which produces visible light.

This unique system of creating light is up to 4 times more effective than the methods used by filament bulbs. You can get the same amount of light as a 60 Watt filament bulb with a 15 Watt fluorescent bulb.

People usually like knowing the difference between the various types of light bulbs that are available to buy. For this reason, I've written up a review of the main light bulbs types:

The fluorescent / compact fluorescent light bulbs (cfls)

Advantages: - Cfls can come in many different shapes and sizes, so they can be used in a variety of areas and light fixtures. - Produce a very large amount of pure white light that brightens up the area without excessive heating. - The lifetime of a fluorescent bulb is up to 25,000 hours.

Disadvantages: - Some people consider the light to be too bright, making atmospheres less 'warm'. - The light makes use of U-V radiation, which can result in the fading of painting. - Recycling the bulbs isn't easy. They can't be disposed of by simply throwing them away - they contain substances that are harmful to the environment unless they are disposed of properly.

The halogen bulb

Advantages: - The halogen bulb is a type of incandescent lamp that emits intense light that has high color temperatures. - They can be used for track lighting systems and vehicle headlights. - The bulb lasts up to between 2000 and 2500 hours and have high energy efficiency and usually come with a guarantee of 3 months.

Disadvantages: - They produce high levels of heat, making them unsuitable for work spaces. - Costs more than other lighting systems.

The incandescent bulb

Advantages: - Costs much less than most other lighting systems. - Produces warm light that can enhance a comforting atmosphere. - They can be dimmable-controlled easily compared to other systems.

Disadvantages: - They consume up to 5 times more energy than other energy-efficient alternatives. These will be banned worldwide by 2014. - The initial low cost is outweighed by a short lifespan of less than 1500 hours.

There are other types of lighting systems in addition to those above: light emitting diodes (led lighting) and high intensity discharge (hid) lights, but these tend to be less common.

All in all, making a change from incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs is beneficial for homeowners in all ways - cost efficiency, overall brightness, helping you save energy, money saving and environmental friendliness. You can find energy star products in this category of energy efficient bulbs. A product earns the label of "energy star" if it meets a certain and specific energy saving criteria.

Energy star products are usually two, three or even four times more energy efficient and money saving than other alternatives. If you use these products in your home, you can help the environment by reducing your greenhouse gas emissions as they make a lot of home improvement for you in terms of your home's energy efficiency.

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