Lighting – CFL vs LED bulbs

cflledlighting

I would like to know the advantages and disadvantages of CFL and LED bulbs.

Is LED bulbs makes eye strain?

Best Answer

LEDs are better in almost every way other than price:

LED Pros:

  • Lower power consumption
  • Longer bulb life, especially if the light is turned on and off frequently (which is hard on CFLs).
  • Generally better color quality, although this varies from bulb to bulb for both LEDs and CFLs. CFLs usually have a CRI around 70-80, and LEDs are usually 80-90+. (See footnote on light quality).
  • LEDs have no problem starting when cold, unlike CFLs.
  • Generally LEDs power on fairly quickly. Some CFLs take several seconds, and may not reach full brightness for a minute or two.
  • More compact
  • More durable and recyclable.

CFL Pros:

  • Somewhat cheaper
  • Most can be used in enclosed fixtures. Generally LEDs are not supposed to be used in enclose fixtures because they do not tolerate the high heat buildup well, although some bulbs advertise as OK.

Light Quality Measurement Footnote

Light quality can be somewhat subjective but there are generally two measurements that are useful:

  • The "color temperature", measured in degrees Kelvin, which ranges from a warm red (2500K) to bright white (4000K) to bluish daylight (5000K+). Desired color temperature is really a matter of preference. Virtually all bulbs print the color temperature on the packaging.
  • The other measurement is the "Color Rendering Index" (CRI), which measures how well the light lets you see various colors. The index goes up to 100, with 100 being perfectly optimal light. CRI is not always printed obviously but usually you can find it if you look or search online. If you've ever been in a commercial building or hospital and the overhead lights make everything look bluish-green, that's because of a poor CRI (old fluorescent tubes have a CRI around 50, although new fluorescents are usually 70-80). Yellow streetlights have exceptionally poor CRI, around 20 or less, which is why it can be so difficult to identify the color of your car under these lights.
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