Until recently, energy-saving devices were not widely used in a room, as they were made in the form of tubes of different lengths. It was difficult for a simple user to install or change such models, compared to a conventional incandescent lamp. To date, this is an improved device for a fluorescent light device. Let us consider in detail what energy-saving lamps are (the types and price will help you figure out the choice for your room).
Read in the article:
Categories of lighting fixtures, types of plinths
Models are found in 2 types:
- LED.
- luminescent.
If we talk about light output, then LED designs have much more.
Types of LED lamps and applications
LED (light-emitting diode) is a visually ordinary bulb with a semiconductor crystal. The range depends on the chemical semiconductor composition. In modern technology, this is a new solution.
Classification:
- Plinth type.
- Application area.
- The type of LED used.
Consider LED models by application.
street lighting
Widely used in the illumination of large swimming pools, public buildings, pedestrians and other public places.
Various decoration methods using smart RGB lighting fixtures are also widely used.
LED for home and office use
This type can completely replace all categories of previously used models: conventional incandescent lamps; fluorescent and halogen.
Visually, they are no different from their predecessors and have a similar base.
LED spotlights
This model was defined in a separate class. Until now, quartz light fluxes have been used in spotlights.
According to the technical characteristics and the difference in photometry, it is impossible to directly replace quartz lamps with LED models. Therefore, spotlights are designed specifically for the LED light source.
LED in industry
This direction is widely used in factories, warehouses and industries.
Distinctive features: ideal luminous flux; highest power and protection IP rating.
Models designed for growing plants
Note! In such models, the possibility of programming is sometimes used.
How are plinths classified?
The base is the part of the lighting fixture that is in contact with the power supply.
Types of socles of energy-saving lamps are divided into two groups:
- Screw, marked with the symbol "E".
- Pin "G".
Let us consider in more detail in the table how the plinths are classified:
| Types of plinth | Description |
|---|---|
 E27 Plain classical model with thread | Plinth suitable for chandeliers and lamps |
 E14, this is E27, only with a smaller thread | Used in modern lighting fixtures. Models "candle", "minion" are produced with a plinth |
 GU5.3, similar to the base model of halogen | Such devices are used in LED lamps, and do not provide for design changes. |
 GU10 | The model can be found in the kitchen area, where the hood and lighting are used. |
 G4 base with two wires | Used in small light bulbs |
 G9 (male) | The base is the most convenient when installing or replacing the flask |
Energy-saving lamps and LED: comparison with predecessors
In order to get the full amount of information about each model, you need to visually familiarize yourself with the performance characteristics and make a comparison.
Note! In order for the comparison to occur with maximum accuracy, we determine the level of the luminous flux of the room (800 Lm).
This is about the usual 75 watt incandescent model. Now let's give an example with 4 devices, with the same level of illumination.
Energy-saving lamp comparison table: specifications for incandescent, halogen and fluorescent appliances:
| Types / names | Degree of heating | Flux of light, lm | Power, W | Payment for the year / rub (20 devices) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Incandescent lighting fixture | strong heat | 600-700 | 75 | 11000 |
 Compact fluorescent lamp, energy-saving model | Medium heat | 600-700 | 15 | 2200 |
 LED | Doesn't get hot or break | 800 | 10 | 1450 |
 Halogen | Gets hot, very brittle | 700 | 45 | 6600 |
Based on the data in the table, we can summarize that the leading place is occupied.
Power consumption
It can be seen from the data that for different types of lamps, with the same illumination, the luminous efficiency varies greatly. As for the practical issue, the LED lighting device consumes almost 8 times less energy, which affects the costs for.
Note! A fluorescent lamp, for all its economy, is still less economical.
Saving
Let's do a little calculation:
- The price of one kW = 3 rubles.
- We will proceed from the calculation that the lamp burns 8 hours a day.
- We get 2920 hours per year.
Let's calculate the electricity for the year:
- Incandescent lamp: 2920 × 75 \u003d 219,000 \u003d 219 kW per hour (219 × 3 \u003d 657 rubles).
- Fluorescent: 2920 × 15 \u003d 43,800 \u003d 43.8 kW per hour (43.8 × 3 \u003d 131.4 rubles).
- LED: 2920 × 10 \u003d 29,200 \u003d 29.2 kW per hour (29.2 × 3 \u003d 87.6 rubles).
- Halogen: 2920 × 45 \u003d 131,400 \u003d 131.4 kW per hour (131.4 × 3 \u003d 394.2 rubles).
Based on the calculations, it can be seen that the LED model allows us to save a significant amount.
Ordinary and energy-saving lamp: power / table
The table shows the indicators without a protective bulb, which reduces the brightness by 20%.
| LED, W | Incandescent, W | Flux, lm |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 25 | 250 |
| 5 | 40 | 400 |
| 8 | 60 | 650 |
| 14 | 100 | 1300 |
| 22 | 150 | 2100 |
Are energy-saving lamps harmful to human health (especially for children)?
Ecology is one of the important indicators of the product. In terms of their data, halogen and incandescent lamps are environmentally friendly, their light spectrum is not harmful to human health. But considering the energy they consume, which is just wasted, they got a score of 4 on a five-point scale.
Fluorescent lighting products are rated 3 for several reasons:
- Energy-saving lamps blink when off, which makes the eyes very tired.
- The luminous flux is very weak and it is bad for eyesight.
- Mercury, if the lamp is damaged, can be harmful to health. Urgent disposal of the device will be required.
Note! LED lighting devices received a rating of five, as they have no disadvantage in terms of ecology and harm to the body.
Energy-saving lamps: types and price. Save or not?
In order to understand which model to choose for a particular room and save money, you need to look at the average cost, service life and calculate the total savings.
Now let's calculate the real savings of the LED lamp in relation to its predecessors. The maximum service life, after which the luminous flux begins to decrease significantly, is 3 years, based on 8 hours per day.
Note! This adds up to 8,500 hours of lamp life. During this period, we change 12 incandescent lamps and 2 fluorescent lamps.
Calculate the amount for 3 years:
- LED - 300 rubles (1 × 300).
- Luminescent - 300 rubles (2 × 150).
- Lamp "Ilyich" - 360 rubles (12 × 30).
Then we add the amount of electricity spent to the cost and multiply by 3 years:
- LED RUB 562.8
- Luminescent 694.2 rub.
- Incandescent 2331 rub.
Attention! If we compare an ordinary lamp with an LED light source, then the 2nd one will allow us to save up to 2000 rubles. for 3 years. And that's just one bulb!
Article
Energy-saving lamps are now in trend and this is not without reason. With ever-increasing electricity prices, many people want to reduce electricity consumption in order to reduce costs.
And one of the ways to save money is to use energy-saving appliances in the house.
And most often, savings begin with lighting fixtures. After all, it is easier and cheaper to change light bulbs in the house than, for example, a refrigerator.
At the same time, the use of energy-saving lamps in terms of energy consumption can significantly reduce the cost of electricity in the house.
So we will try to figure out what energy-saving lamps are, and whether they can really save us electricity.
General advantages and disadvantages of "housekeepers"
Let's start with the very concept - an energy-saving lamp. To determine if a lighting device is economical, it is compared with a conventional incandescent lamp. And any lamp that consumes less electricity than the “Ilyich bulb” is already considered energy-saving.
But there are few types of such lighting devices, and in domestic conditions three types of lamps are used at all:
- halogen;
- luminescent (gas-discharge);
- LED.
The advantages of these lighting fixtures compared to an incandescent lamp are really many:
The first and most important of them is a significantly lower power consumption with the same light output, due to a higher efficiency. An incandescent lamp has a very low efficiency - about 18%, that is, out of every 100 watts of energy consumed, such a lamp converts only 18 watts into light radiation, the rest of the energy is spent on heating the spiral. For energy-saving lamps, the efficiency can reach 80%, but this depends on the design features of each device. Below we will take a closer look at the efficiency of all types of lamps;
Increased service life, which also affects financial costs, but here again, much depends on the design of the lamp and operating conditions;
Safety of use (does not apply to halogen lamps). The absence of a direct connection of contacts (in an incandescent lamp they are connected by a spiral) eliminates the occurrence of a short circuit.
Reducing the load on the network, which also increases security.
And these are just the main advantages inherent in all energy-saving lamps.
The main common disadvantage for economical elements is their cost.
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages that each type of "housekeeper" lamp has.
Basic parameters of lighting elements
In order to further understand the operating parameters of the above types of lamps, we will consider each of them using the example of a conventional incandescent lamp, since in all calculations they are repelled from it.
The main parameters for any lamp is its luminous efficiency, it is also efficiency, and light temperature - the intensity of light emission. This can also include a resource.
The efficiency of a lamp is the luminous flux (measured in Lumens) that it emits when it consumes a certain amount of energy (measured in Watts).
In simple terms, this parameter means how much light the lamp will emit, having spent 1 watt of electricity.
So, a 75-watt incandescent lamp provides a luminous flux equal to 935 lm and has a luminous efficacy of 12 lm / W.
Light temperature is the intensity of the radiation of a light source, taken as a wavelength in the optical range (measured in Kelvin).
To make it clearer, this parameter indicates what brightness and color tone the emitted light will have.
A 100-watt incandescent lamp has a light temperature of 2800 K, which in the optical range corresponds to warm white light with an orange tint. This is the temperature of sunlight during sunrise and sunset.
The average life of an incandescent lamp is 2000 hours. From these parameters in the future we will build on. The life of the lamps can be extended, special devices that not only regulate the degree of illumination of the premises, but also save electricity.
Halogen devices
Now for the energy-saving lamps themselves and let's start with halogen. In fact, this is the same incandescent lamp, but with some modifications. In her flask, the place of vacuum is a buffer gas (vapours of bromine, iodine).
The use of these vapors made it possible to increase the light temperature to 3000 K, and the lamp efficiency is 15-17 lm / W to provide the same 900 lm of luminous flux.
Due to its better luminous efficiency, the halogen element is able to provide the same amount of light as a 75-watt conventional incandescent lamp, but for this it needs only 55 watts of energy, which means that there is already a saving in electricity.
In addition, the use of a buffer gas increased the lamp life up to 4000 hours of operation.
The advantages of halogen elements, in addition to efficiency and increased resource, also include their availability, since they cost not much more than conventional lamps.
They are available with E14 and E27 bases.
At the same time, they often have smaller overall dimensions than incandescent lamps, which allows them to be used even in miniature lamps.
The disadvantages of halogen elements are the same as for conventional incandescent lamps.
Fluorescent
The advantages of household discharge lamps also include a low heating temperature (does not exceed 65 ℃), which eliminates the occurrence of a fire, they are quite compact, do not explode when turned on.
But she also has a lot of shortcomings.
Firstly, they are much more expensive, about 15 times, compared to incandescent lamps.
Secondly, they contain mercury vapor, which are poisonous.
Thirdly, over time, they fade from natural aging, and frequent switching on and off significantly reduces their resource.
Fourthly, they are very susceptible to voltage drops.
Despite the shortcomings, fluorescent lamps are currently the highest priority for use.
LED
And the last type of energy-saving elements is LED. Such a lamp is a set of LEDs combined into one circuit.
But LEDs operate from a constant voltage network, so a converting transformer is included in the design of the lamp, which is also a driver.
There are a lot of types of such lamps, and they differ mainly in the location of the LEDs.
This type of lighting fixtures has the best performance parameters.
Such a lamp has a luminous efficiency of 86-95 lm / W, therefore, to provide a luminous flux of 900 lm, it will consume only 7-10 watts. At the same time, its resource can reach 50 - 100 thousand hours of work.
Like fluorescent elements, LED lamps have a wide range of light temperatures, which makes it very easy to maintain the correct ones.
These lighting devices are very reliable, safe, immune to voltage drops.
Produced with the most common types of plinths. There are elements in the design of which batteries are additionally included, which allows the lamp to be used from a conventional network or from a battery in case of power outages.
There are also devices with a remote control.
The only drawback of such lighting devices is a very high price, about two times higher than the cost of luminescent analogues.
Options to choose from
Now about what parameters you need to consider when choosing an energy-saving light bulb. First of all, you need to decide on the type. At the same time, you should immediately pay attention to the cost and resource.
Power.
The first criterion for selection is the power of the lamps. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the correspondence of the selected elements to those already used at home.
For example, 100-watt incandescent lamps are used everywhere in housing, while the light from them is quite enough.
Based on the luminous efficiency, it can be determined that the same amount of light can be provided by a 70-watt halogen, a 20-watt fluorescent lamp, and a 12-watt LED lamp.
If there is not enough light, then you can pick up a more powerful energy-saving element.
At the same time, you don’t even need to carry out any calculations, comparative tables are usually printed on the packages of these lamps, which allows you to quickly and easily select a light bulb with the required power parameter.
Plinth type.
The second thing you need to pay attention to is the type of base. For conventional cartridges, a lamp base with the designation E27 is suitable.
In lamps and sconces, a cartridge for the E14 base is often used.
Before going to the store, you should definitely ask what types of plinth are needed. But you can make it easier - unscrew and take a light bulb with you, which will change and compare the bases.
Dimensions, shape.
The third selection criterion is the shape and size. If there is a lot of space for installation, then you can buy almost any lighting element in shape. In limited installation spaces, you will have to select lamps according to size.
Outcome
Note that the savings from the use of "housekeepers" will not be immediate, because the lighting element must first pay off at the expense of the saved funds, and this may take quite a long time, and this also depends on the intensity of use. And it doesn’t matter in a private house you use such lighting fixtures or in an apartment.
The halogen lamp pays off the fastest, but in the end, the savings from it will be negligible.
A luminescent element can pay for itself after a year of use, and in the future it will already begin to save money. As for LED light bulbs, they have the longest payback period, about three years.
In general, only those lighting elements that have a significant resource and can work without problems for more than two years can bring really tangible savings.
Finally, we say that it is not necessary to immediately replace all the lighting elements in the house with energy-saving ones, because this can result in substantial costs.
If they are changed gradually, then the expenses will not be so noticeable, and in the end it will be possible to completely switch to energy-saving lamps.
The constant increase in electricity tariffs makes us all look for profitable ways to reduce the cost of paying for artificial light. But at the same time, we strive to maintain home comfort, which is impossible with a lack of lighting. Energy-saving lamps for the home help to combine one with the other - how to choose the best ones?
Optimum illumination in the house is created by LED lamps. Their main advantages:
- Minimum power consumption. Compared to incandescent lamps, it is 7 times lower, compared to fluorescent lamps - 2 times lower.
- Durability. They last 5-50 times longer than traditional lighting fixtures.
- Safety. Does not contain fragile and toxic components, can be disposed of in the usual way.
If you choose the right characteristics of LED lamps for your home, you will provide ideal lighting in your "fortress" at a record low cost for it. So where to start choosing?
We look at the marking of the lighting device
When buying an LED lamp, read the information on the package. It will help you get an answer to the question: “Which lamps to choose for your home?” First of all, decide on the base. As a rule, for domestic use they buy lamps with a round threaded base: large - E27 or small - E14. The numbers in the marking indicate the diameter, the letters indicate the type of base.
The next important characteristic is the luminous flux. This parameter is measured in lumens, it helps to determine the light output of the LED lamp for the home, which is important to calculate before choosing a device. To do this, find the quotient between the luminous flux and power (lm / W). If this figure is equal to or greater than 100, you have a quality lamp.
How to choose an LED lamp by power
Home lighting should be adequately bright. The specific indicator of illumination in the house depends on the type and purpose of the room. According to sanitary standards, it is for:
- office and student's room - 300 lx;
- children's preschooler - 200 lux;
- living room and kitchen - 150 lux;
- bedrooms - 100 lux;
- corridor and bathroom - 50 lux.
How to choose the power of LED lamps, which will create normal illumination in the house? Use one of the following methods:
- Choose lamps of such power that will be equivalent to that of incandescent lamps. At the same time, take into account that for 1 sq. rooms with bright lighting should account for at least 20 watts. With an average - 15-18 watts. With subdued lighting - 10-12 watts. For example, let's calculate the power indicator of LED lamps for a student's room with an area of 15 square meters. m. First, calculate the equivalent: 15 (m) x 20 (W) = 300 (W). Then divide this figure by 7: you get 42-43 watts. Thus, in order to well illuminate the student's room, you will need 3 LED lamps with a power of 14 W each (42÷3=14).
- Measure the light level on site with the quality RADEX LUPIN light meter. It often turns out that the power of LED lamps declared by manufacturers does not correspond to the indicated equivalent. In this case, you have the right to return the lighting fixture to the seller. Without a light meter, it will be problematic to prove the discrepancy between the nominal and actual parameters.
LED lamps for home - how to choose the right color temperature
This is one of the important parameters on which the comfort and safety of lighting depend. It is measured in Kelvin and corresponds to the temperature of a monochrome black body at which it emits the same shade of light as a given LED lamp. The higher the color temperature, the visually colder the white light.
For incandescent lamps, this parameter is 2700 K. Such lighting is comfortable for the eyes and is most suitable for the home. A well-known specialist in the field of physiology of vision, academician Ostrovsky M.A. strongly does not recommend buying LED light bulbs for the home, in the emission spectrum of which there is a lot of blue color close to ultraviolet. Such a shade can harm the retina of a child's eye, causing the death of visual cells and a sharp drop in vision. Therefore, only LED lamps with a color temperature of 2700-3000 K should work in children's rooms.
In the office of an adult who wants to maintain a productive atmosphere while working, you can install lighting devices with a color temperature of 3500-4000 K. Such lighting inhibits the production of melatonin in the body, invigorates, stimulates performance.
We examine the lamp using a radio test
To identify lighting fixtures with low-quality power supplies, check them with a radio test. Turn on the lamp while the radio is on. Got interference? This means that the LED lamp causes a noticeable perturbation of electromagnetic waves. These lights may also cause ripples on the TV screen.
If a high quality driver is installed in the LED lamp, it will not interfere with the operation of either the radio or the TV. Moreover, both “good” and “bad” devices often shine in the same way, but a lamp with a cheap electric mechanism will not work for long, and it is not safe for the eyes to use it due to the high pulsation coefficient. Let's take a closer look at this indicator.
Checking the pulsation coefficient of an energy-saving lamp
One of the main design elements of an LED lamp is the power supply, or driver. If the manufacturer has not saved on it, the device will work for a long time, stably, without flickering. Otherwise, the lamp may produce pulsating light.
The value of the pulsation coefficient of the lighting device is regulated by regulatory documents. It should not exceed 10%. If this parameter is higher than normal, the lighting will cause discomfort: irritability, fatigue will appear, and headaches may occur.
How to choose an LED lamp with a low ripple factor? Bring a heart rate monitor with you to the store. For high-quality devices, this parameter does not exceed 5-8%. By the way, for incandescent lamps, the ripple factor can reach 15-18%, and for fluorescent lamps - 30-40%.
Irreplaceable assistance in the selection of energy-saving lamps for your home will be provided by luxmeter-pulsemeter RADEX LUPIN. With it, you will choose such lighting fixtures that will provide optimal lighting in the house and create conditions for saving the family budget.
Energy saving lamps Specifications and parameters
Not so long ago, the price of electricity for the population has increased, and due to a significant increase in the amount to pay for it, many are considering ways to save money. Lighting's share of total electricity consumption is weight, so the first step to saving is to replace aging and inefficient lamps with Energy Saving Lights (ESL).
Think about the fundamental issues you need to be aware of when replacing "Iljich Lamp" energy-saving lamps: the features and options with which you should first focus on choosing and how much money you can save.
Like other electrical appliances, ESL has several indicators that you need to consider when buying.
First, they include their operating parameters and specifications.
The main parameters of energy-saving lamps
When choosing and buying, the following operating parameters of the lamps should be considered:
1. Lamp size. As you know, energy-saving bulbs are big like bulbs, so be sure to check if they are suitable for lamps (especially spherical closed sunshades) before purchasing them.
Form. ESLs come in a variety of forms, the most common being the U-boot and the helix (as the name implies). As a rule, the shape does not affect the characteristics of the work, and the only difference is the price: due to expensive production technologies, the cost of spiral patterns is somewhat higher.
Cap size and type. As incandescent bulbs, ESL can have the traditional wide E 27 and narrow E 14 (the latter most commonly found in small light bulbs). Please check the voltage of the light before purchasing to select the lamp with the correct cap type.
4. The color of the emitted light. ESL can emit light in cool and warm colors.
It is better to choose a model whose light will match the color space of the space. More information about choosing a lamp with this criterion will be discussed later.
Technical characteristics of energy-saving lamps
An obligatory criterion that should be paid attention to is the choice of energy-saving lamps - technical characteristics.
One of the main indicators is power, the value of which determines the amount of electricity consumed by the lamp. The power of various ESLs can vary from 3 to 200 watts, but 7-120 watt lamps are commonly used in everyday life.
To determine the power of a light bulb sufficient to light up a room, it should be noted that the ECL emits 5 times more light than the same light bulb for better brightness.
This means you are completely replacing a 100W wall light, you need a 20W ESL.
To know that this indicator is for a particular headlight model is simple: the manufacturer always indicates this on the packaging.
2). A less important feature is the lifespan, which shows how many times the operation has been developed. According to this indicator, ESL also leaves Ilyich lamps. After all, they do not have thin tungsten filaments, the combustion of which causes a rapid deflection of the latter.
discharge fluorescent lamps use a completely different technology: an electric current ionizes a gas filled with light and ions, which in turn causes phosphorus to attack its walls.
For this reason, even the most pleasant energy-saving lamps have a service life of 8 times longer than incandescent lamps, namely 7-8 thousand.
And more expensive products from world famous manufacturers such as Philips, General Electric or OSRAM can last 15,000 hours. Since the service life is one of the main technical characteristics of energy-saving lamps, this parameter is always noted on the packaging.
3). In addition to producing visible light, lamps consume electricity that is invisible to the human eye and therefore unusable radiation in the ultraviolet and infrared ranges.
In this regard, when choosing an ESL, a large amount of light output is very important - a characteristic that evaluates light for its effect on the visual organs.
Indicates how much light the light emits.
The better the quality of the product, the higher this number.
Luminous flux is measured in lumens (lm) and its indicator is necessarily also referred to as a spark block (Φv).
4). The main indicator of the efficiency of an energy-saving lamp is the light output. Ideally, theoretically, all the electricity for each lamp consumed to emit light, the luminous efficiency of the device in this case will be equal to 683 lm / W (from the physics of the program to the maximum spectral luminous efficiency of monochromatic radiation with a wavelength of 555 nm).
But in fact, most electricity is associated with the emission of heat and light in the invisible parts of the spectrum.
The light power of the lamps is only 10-15lm/W; The indicator of energy-saving lamps is slightly higher, but also far from ideal: 50-80 lm / W.
By the way, based on the amount of light effect, a system for classifying the energy efficiency of light emitting devices is based.
There are seven classes of energy efficiency lamps, as they use Latin letters from A to G.
Saving lamps
In this system, incandescent lamps occupy the last positions - E and F, and energy lamps - A and B.
The luminosity value, unlike the previous performance, does not indicate the packaging, but it can be calculated by itself: this is enough to divide the light current by the lamp power.
Color temperature is also an important feature that indicates the light from which shade, cold or warm, the lamp emits. This value is measured in Kelvin (K). Zero on the color temperature scale assumes a theoretically perfect black body, its value is -273 degrees Celsius.
The light emission at the ESL is due to phosphorus. The different chemical composition of phosphorus causes the lamp to emit light in different parts of the visible spectrum.
This feature of energy-saving lamps is their undeniable advantage, allowing you to choose the optimal lighting for all types of rooms.
The color temperature indicator is usually also listed on the product packaging, but how do you know what a particular value means? The color temperature of energy-saving lamps ranges from 2500 to 6500 K.
- 2700 K - the light emits a warm white color with the same color temperature, most reminiscent of the light of ordinary Ilyich lamps.
These models are best used in the living room.
- 3300-3500 K - the light emitted by the lamp has a neutral white color. Such models have not been widely used.
- 4000-4200 K - the radiation of a lamp with this color temperature has a magnificent white color, they are best used in workplaces, offices and public buildings. If you choose lamps of this type, it is better to devote yourself to stronger models, since the cool shade makes them glow.
- 6000-6500 K - These lamps are called daily, their light is sharp, with a pronounced cold tint.
This type of lighting causes additional stress on the organs of vision and the nervous system, so it is mainly used for street lighting, large industrial facilities, theater stages, etc.
What should I look for when buying energy saving lamps?
I agree that when buying an incandescent lamp, all attention is paid primarily to its power, since it depends on the fact that this figure depends on the light.
For ESL, this rule does not apply and the amount of light output must be taken into account.
For example, there are two lamps from different manufacturers, both lamps have the same power, say 10 watts.
The first lamp produces 600 lumens of light, the other 900 lumens. If you have read this article from the beginning, you will understand from the pictures above that another lamp shines brighter than the first lamp with the same power.
Thus, the power of an ESL does not always correspond to its brightness, and in practice it often happens that a stronger production of one manufacturer clearly loses the brightness of a lamp of a less powerful competitor.
This is especially noticeable when comparing new energy-saving light bulbs with greater efficiency and excellent lighting to older models.
Just pay attention to the specifications listed on the package, you can choose an energy-saving lamp with lower power consumption, more brightness and affordable prices.
Energy Saving Energy Savings - Reality or Myth
The technical characteristics of the energy-saving lamps that we reviewed now speak of savings. Savings in the use of energy-saving lamps are the result of a longer life and reduced energy consumption.
However, many people are skeptical about these savings, they say, although ESL has a long life, but due to high costs, they are not paid at all. Let's see if you can really save by installing ESL at home.
Let's do some simple arithmetic:
1. Get an optional Philips 20W (0.02kW) energy-saving lamp. The average cost of such a lamp since May 2015 is 4 dollars, and its service life is 10 thousand.
Let's calculate how much electricity this lamp consumes. Thus, the life of the lamp is 10 thousand hours, during which it consumes: (0.02 x 10,000) = 200 kW / h of electricity (tariffs for the population can be changed by temporarily estimating the cost of 1 kW / h 0, 05 $).
This means that the bill for the electricity consumed and the cost of the lamp will be the following amount: 4 US dollars (200 × 0.05 US dollars) = 14 US dollars.
We perform the same calculations for an incandescent lamp.
For example, take a 100W lamp with an average lifespan of 1000 hours. Because a light bulb is 5 times smaller than an ECL and has a lifespan 10 times shorter, an equivalent replacement for 10 light bulbs is to use 0.1 kW (100 W) of power, each costing $0.2.
Their total cost will be: 0.2 × 10 = $2.
A light bulb consumes 10,000 hours: 0.1 × 10,000 = 1,000 kWh of electricity. The total cost to the consumer would be: $2 + (1000 × $0.05) = $52.
This means that only one energy-saving lamp will save you: 52 - 14 = 38.
Calculate how much money you can save by replacing all the old "Ilyich lamps" with ESL?
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Energy-saving lighting - how to save with it?
There is a strong opinion in Russian society that energy savings occur only when electrical appliances that are not currently in use are turned off. Partly it is.
However, modern technologies know many ways that help reduce energy consumption by tens - hundreds of times, in addition to the banal disconnection of devices from the network.
A significant part of the electricity is spent directly on artificial lighting, illumination.
In order to reduce the consumption of electricity for lighting by an order of magnitude, you need to follow a number of generally accepted rules:
- In order to maximize the use of natural solar lighting in the room, without resorting to the use of artificial illumination during daylight hours, it is necessary to paint the surfaces of the walls and ceiling in light color shades, while increasing the reflectivity of the surfaces.
- If possible, install a sufficient number of windows in the room and monitor their cleanliness so that they can transmit the maximum light flux.
- The use of energy-saving lighting systems.
The types of energy-saving lighting devices include numerous halogen, fluorescent and LED lamps and devices that also have control systems, which allows them to be used both at a reduced level of energy consumption. So and at the right time.
- The use of various types of sensors that are able to independently "respond" to movement or other data to supply electricity to the fixtures.
With the help of such sensors, the lamps are automatically switched on and off when a person appears nearby.
Types of fixtures that allow you to save
Fluorescent
The main advantage of this type of illumination is that such devices have a high level of light output in relation to energy consumption.
Compared with the conventional incandescent lamp (LN), which is already a thing of the past, the advantages are undeniable:
- Energy consumption is reduced by five times.
- The power of the light flux is much greater.
- The economy is about 80 percent.
- Electricity costs are reduced by at least three times.
- There is no external overheating of the lamps.
- You can choose a different color spectrum of illumination.
Modern fluorescent lamps
However, when using fluorescent lamps, it must be remembered that their life can be extended if they are turned off less frequently.
The minimum time of use should be calculated from three hours. If the lamp turns off, then for a time not less than 5 minutes.
The only significant drawback of this type of lighting is the content of a certain amount of mercury in fluorescent lamps.
How to choose an energy-saving light bulb for the home, manufacturers, specifications and prices
Therefore, when installing, replacing lamps, you need to be extremely careful, just do not throw them away after use like ordinary garbage.
Engineers are already actively fighting this problem, as luminescent devices are becoming more widespread, containing not pure mercury, but its alloys, which does not allow the harmful substance to evaporate if the device is damaged.
The scope of this type of lighting has traditionally been all kinds of public organizations, office space, street lighting, entrances of residential buildings, warehouses and industrial premises.
The territories of these premises, as a rule, have large areas, or the light in them practically does not turn off around the clock, so the issue of energy saving for them is more relevant than ever.
LED lighting products
LED lamps are a combination of several diodes in one device.
The performance of this type of energy-saving lighting is even more economical than fluorescent ones. Thus, electricity savings can reach 90 percent (which is 12 times more than that of LN), and the service life, compared with incandescent lamps, exceeds the indicators by 8 times.
Such cost-effectiveness and high light output can soon completely solve the issue of energy saving in street (lantern) lighting.
In addition to significant advantages in the field of electricity consumption, LED devices, according to the results of studying their impact on human health, not only do not harm, but also surpass halogen and fluorescent lighting in this indicator.
LED lamps (click to enlarge)
It has been proven that other types of illumination produce light streaming vibrations that are harmful to people's health (namely, vision), the eyes quickly get tired and irritated.
LED devices, on the other hand, do not produce such streaming pulses, which is quite beneficial for the well-being and sensations of people. In addition, LEDs do not emit ultraviolet absolutely, which also does not harm human health.
Listing the advantages of this type of lighting, it should also be said that, compared to fluorescent lamps, diodes do not contain mercury or other harmful substances, which does not create problems during disposal or accidental damage to the device.
When breaking diodes, it is also impossible to get damage from glass, since glass is not used in the production of diodes. It has been replaced with high-transparency plastic, so you can not be afraid of fragments either.
Whichever type of energy efficient lighting you choose, the overwhelming advantages over traditional incandescent lighting are undeniable.
Our future is built behind economy and environmental friendliness!
You might be interested in: buy street lamps
How to convert an energy-saving lamp to work with a conventional fluorescent
Do not rush to throw away burnt out energy-saving lamps, perhaps they will still serve you after a little alteration.
To be brief, you just need to replace the glass bulb of a failed lamp with any other, but similar or approximate in power. In this photo, a homemade carrier assembled from two faulty lamps of different sizes.
If these lamps were sold separately, that is, the electronic part (electronic ballast) would be separate from the bulb (fluorescent lamp), then this topic could not be created, you just buy a new bulb and change it, as is usually done in lamps with EMPRA.
And so, it turns out that because of the burnt bulb, the lamp flies into the trash, along with the working electronic part.
In addition, these lamps are not so durable, most often they burn out the filaments that are soldered into the ends of the spiral bulb. I buy lamps most often in pairs, at 25-26 W, of which only a few live up to a year or more, most often die in the first year of operation, and this is during normal use in an apartment.
It's not that all the lamps are bad, it's just a tape measure, so far I've tried only these manufacturers, Oscar, Philips, Osram, Cosmos, Navigator and some of them also have long-lived specimens. I had great hopes for Philips bulbs, after all, the name, but it was they who died the fastest, after about six months the first, and the second caught up with it after a couple of months. By the way, a couple of Navigator bulbs have been in the kitchen for the second year already, perhaps because of the smooth heating they have not yet failed.
In general, all this is demagogy, so let's get back to our sheep 🙂
First you need to disassemble the lamp housing, I just sawed my first lamp around the perimeter with a hacksaw, but as it turned out, the housing can be disassembled without much effort with an ordinary screwdriver.
What light bulbs are better to put at home
The lamp body has a seam, just insert a screwdriver into it and turn it 90 °, as if pushing the halves apart. If the screwdriver is small, then just pick any of the halves of the case, the plastic will deform, but it doesn’t matter.
The main thing is to make sure that the screwdriver does not go deep inside, since the electronic filling is located close to the case.
After you have split the lamp in half, do not rush to pull the halves in different directions, since the wires leading to the bulb are very short and will not allow you to roam.
We disconnect the flask by unwinding the ends of the wires from the legs of the board, or immediately solder the legs along with the wires.
If you are doing this for the first time, then put marks on the board with a marker in order to know which conclusions go to the filaments of the bulb and to the network 220
I had two burned-out lamps, so I dismantled both so that they take up less space in the instrumental, well, for clarity.
Somehow the electronic filling of these lamps looks like this, it is also electronic ballast
If you have several non-working lamps, then it makes sense to ring the filaments and if it turns out that the bulb is working, then you can collect one or even several working lamps.
Just change the burned-out flask to a working one, just take into account the power of the lamps, the ideal option for sorting out the flasks is when the lamps are the same.
I went through more than a dozen lamps and only once was a faulty electronic ballast, in other cases the filaments burned out.
As an alternative to spiral flasks, you can use a conventional fluorescent lamp 60 cm long and 18 watts.
Since the lamp is quite long, we solder meter-long wire stubs to the board and at the same time a network wire with a plug.
For a temporary test of performance, the ends of the wires can be soldered or tied directly to the lamp contacts, but I used ready-made clips.
We connect the electronic ballast to the network and see if the lamp lights up.
In general, it is not difficult to connect a lamp, it is much more difficult to find an application for this bundle in an apartment.
In everyday life, such lamps are rare, and if they are used, they already have a built-in electronic ballast. Now, if you make lamps or lighting with your own hands, then you can easily find a use for old, burned-out energy-saving lamps and thereby give them a second life.
The other day, by the way, I converted a burned-out fluorescent lamp into an LED one, here is a little more about the conversion.
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Traditional incandescent lamps produce more heat than light. For this reason, energy-saving lamps (EL) were created, where electricity is converted into light by 70%. These include compact fluorescent and LED light sources.
EL consist of glass flasks filled with an inert gas with mercury vapor. The inside is coated with a phosphor-based phosphor. The design of the EL is based on a fluorescent lamp, which is a tube with two pins at the ends with connected electrodes to which voltage is applied. The ballast ignites the lamp, after which an invisible ultraviolet radiation is formed, from the action of which the coating begins to glow. In EL, it is placed in the base. Depending on the composition of the phosphor forms different shades of light: from red to blue.
Compact fluorescent lamps in different colors
Pros and cons of EL
Energy saving lamps have the following advantages:
- efficiency is 5 times higher than that of incandescent lamps;
- service life 8-10 thousand hours;
- low heat transfer;
- uniformity of radiation;
- wide range of colors.
Energy-saving lamps also have disadvantages:
- the difficulty of smoothly adjusting the brightness, a decrease in voltage leads to the lamp turning off;
- low power;
- decrease in light output when the color temperature changes towards the red spectrum;
- sensitivity to power surges;
- delays when turning on the lamps: stationary lighting mode occurs after 2 minutes;
- dependence of service life on the number of switchings. If they are too frequent, energy-saving lamps are not recommended;
- complexity of disposal. EL - the most harmful of all types of lamps due to the mercury vapor they contain. They must not be thrown away with household waste at home;
- relatively high price;
- radiation of ultraviolet light, which negatively affects the skin. For people sensitive to it, it is permissible to be at a distance of no closer than 30 cm from the lamp, and the power should be chosen no more than 21 watts.
Despite the large number of shortcomings, the advantages significantly prevail.
Types and characteristics
Fluorescent lamps were invented when the patent system was not yet developed. They were produced without thinking about standards. This was due to the simplicity of the design in the form of a tube with pins. In addition, the lamps were used for the production of luminous advertisements, where each product was created individually in the form of images.
Energy saving also include led lamps, with which you can create spectacular light images along with CFLs.
Light image of CFL and LED lamps
Over time, manufacturers had to agree on the standardization of products, which was associated with the need to choose lamps that match the electrical wiring and fixtures. Their main characteristics are reflected in the labeling.
The first letter characterizes what colors should be: B - white, D - daylight, U - universal and others.
In international labeling, the first color rendering index is indicated, which is divided by 10. The next two numbers indicate color rendering. If this number is 27, then on the Kelvin scale, the color temperature is 2700K.
From the power, denoted by the letter W with a number, depends on what area and how intensely the lamp can illuminate.
The characteristics of the bases are conventionally designated as follows: FS - one base, FD - two, FB - with a driver built into the base.
Energy-saving lamps can be selected with or without a starter for smoother starting (RS).
The lamp indicates the mains voltage, which is 127 V or 220 V.
The shape of the flask is indicated by marking: 4U - 4-arc, C - candle, S - spiral, R - reflector, G - ball.
Forms of compact fluorescent lamps
All the main characteristics are present on the marking of any lamp. For different manufacturers, only their location can change.
The expansion of the use of EL made it possible to adapt them to lighting systems where standard E27 socles are used. The use is extremely simplified, now you can insert energy-saving lamps into a conventional threaded cartridge (figure below, left). Many types of products are made with pin connections (figure below, on the right).
Types of bases for compact fluorescent lamps
For EL, it is often not indicated what its overall dimensions are, so they may not fit in some fixtures. Dimensions can be found on the manufacturer's websites.
Energy-saving lamps are used for different voltages: from 12 V to 220 V. When buying, you need to carefully check what voltage the lamp is designed for.
In the USA, 2 classes of electromagnetic radiation are installed on electronic equipment: A and B. For class A, its permissible level is much higher, such lamps are not suitable for a residential building. Anyone who cannot identify it by marking can detect the negative effect of the electromagnetic field on the jumps in the image on the TV screen when the lamp is turned on.
Choice
When you need to choose a lamp for an apartment or house, pay attention to power, emission color, dimensions, manufacturers.
Power
Energy-saving lamps are produced with a power of 3-90 watts. It is still customary to evaluate illumination by the power of an incandescent lamp. When you need to pick up the power of the EL, it is divided by 5.
Emission color
Color is an important characteristic and is always indicated on product packaging as follows:
- 2700K - warm white;
- 4200K - daytime;
- 6400K - cold white.
Shades of colors of energy-saving lamps
An increase in the characteristic brings the color of the lamp closer to a blue tint (fig. above, on the left), and a decrease - to a red one (on the right). Before replacing the lighting, you should choose the most comfortable option for yourself with a single light bulb. Here it is necessary to take into account the interior and type of premises (office, apartment, house or workshop).
Dimensions
The first fluorescent lamps were used in the lighting of enterprises and office buildings. They were not suitable for domestic lighting due to their large size. Manufacturers have been able to reduce the dimensions of products only recently. The tube was bent many times, and its diameter was reduced to 12 mm. In addition, the weight of the lamps decreased, the ballast fit into the base, and high-quality phosphors were created. As a result, the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) began to be used in everyday life.
Reducing the diameter of the tube required a change in the composition of the phosphor, working in more severe conditions. Rare earth metals were added to it, which made the lamps more expensive. To save money, the coating is made two-layer, applying a better composition on top.
The tubes began to be divided into several parallel short sections of smaller diameter or curled in the form of spirals. This increased the radiation surface with smaller dimensions.
Small compact fluorescent lamps
Most CFLs use the standard E27 base and the smaller E14 base for small fixtures and sconces. This allowed them to be screwed into conventional incandescent lamp sockets. However, CFLs produce a different type of glow. Therefore, they must be selected depending on the type of room:
- 6000-6500K - office or office;
- 4200K - children's and living room;
- 2700K - bedroom and kitchen.
Lamps should be chosen with different color temperatures and in small quantities so that they better match the room. After a few days, you can buy the required number of lamps according to your tastes and needs.
Cheap "housekeepers" should not be purchased. In most cases, they do not reach the stated deadlines. It is better to take a lamp from well-known manufacturers with a guarantee of 6-36 months. The shape is chosen for aesthetic reasons. U-shaped and spiral products have proven themselves well.
For a house or apartment with dimmers, energy-saving lamps should not be purchased. During operation, they can fail, for example, the light bulb driver will burn out.
Manufacturers
Recently, a lot of new brands have appeared, it has become more difficult to decide on the choice of products. The best suppliers are well-known brands that have proven themselves in the market and have positive reviews.
- Philips has been the first manufacturer of new CFLs since the eighties. Products have excellent quality, have a spectacular appearance and a wide range.
Philips compact fluorescent lamps
- Osram is one of the first manufacturers of "housekeepers". Products have a long service life (15 thousand hours) and easily withstand frequent starts.
- Navigator - the company appeared on the domestic market recently. The products are distinguished by original shapes and compactness. The diameter of the tubes reaches 7 mm.
- Camelion - the company produces a wide range of CFLs in terms of characteristics and prices. There are budget options that are in great demand.
The best global brands fulfill their warranty obligations with the proper organization of domestic service. If the EL fails during the warranty period, the defective lamp can be replaced with a new one completely free of charge if the box and receipt confirming which store the product was purchased from are saved. It is only necessary to correctly fill out the warranty card, as some stores set terms of no more than two weeks.
Exploitation
During operation in a new lamp, the characteristics first change somewhat during the first hundred hours. Then the brightness of the glow gradually decreases. On products of poor quality, spots and dark plaques quickly appear at the ends of the tubes.
Exceeding or decreasing the temperature of the lamp above the nominal temperature worsens the glow and ignition conditions, which shortens the service life. At a negative temperature of the environment, the LL, working with a starter, starts to start worse. Overheating of the flask often occurs when working in a closed valve. In this case, the color of the glow may change, and the intensity may decrease.
DIY lamp. Video
How to make an energy-saving LED table lamp with your own hands, the video below will tell.
Energy-saving lamps of well-known brands save energy and last for the period declared by the manufacturer, if the requirements for operation are correctly followed.
You will need
- determine the most suitable type of energy-saving light bulb;
- visit a specialized store;
- buy an energy-saving light bulb.
Instruction
When buying an energy-saving light bulb, be sure to 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 enters the “mode”, pay attention to what color it emits: warm white or cold. The latter option is most suitable for non-residential or utility rooms. 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 that has a minimum color temperature - a great option for rooms such as a bedroom or kitchen. The color of the device and, accordingly, its color temperature must be indicated on the packaging.
If you are purchasing an energy-saving lamp for a specific lighting fixture, then be sure to consider the fact that such products usually have quite impressive dimensions. Therefore, the big question is whether the lamp will fit, for example, in a small table 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 made of a wide variety of materials.
In addition, when choosing an energy-saving light bulb, keep in mind that most experts recommend purchasing 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 houses 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 whichever you like best. Despite the fact that they differ from each other in the shape of a gas cylinder, their characteristics are exactly the same. Therefore, the main thing here is that the light bulb fits in size - its base must be identical to the cartridge of your lighting fixture. 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 firms establish a warranty period for such light bulbs of at least 2 years. However, some sellers simply deceive buyers and give their guarantee - much more modestly. Probably not worth saying that buying an energy-saving light bulb in such a store is not the best option.