Many people swear by florescent light bulbs while others would beg to differ, preferring incandescent ones. And now, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and LEDs have entered the fray.

Incandescent bulbs are so called because of the heat produced. Incandescence means to glow with heat. The tungsten filament is found inside a void within the bulb. When energy is pumped through the wire, the electrons react and there is resistance. Then, the filament will get so hot it will glow.

The inner coating of the bulb diffuses the brightness of the light that the filament produces. While some bulbs have a transparent covering, it only affects the look but the fundamental workings of a bulb is still the same.

The light bulb aims to copy the wavelength of the light that the sun gives. The main factor in determining this is the sun's surface temperature, which is about 6,000 Kelvin. In Celsius, that would about 5,700 degrees. The formula is K = C + 273. The more commonly known measurement would be 10,300F. In light bulbs it is called color temperature.

For the interior, the bulbs have a slightly bluer tint to its light. The color temperature is also lower. Color temperature is actually different from real temperature. When an incandescent bulb glows, it will be anywhere from 120F-200F or more. To truly understand how hot it is, you should know that water begins to boil at 100C or 220F.

Fluorescent bulbs are different so they do not give out as much heat.

Fluorescent bulbs consist of gases or vapor such as mercury and electrodes. One end of the electrode receives some voltage, which is then propelled toward the other end. Along the way, it makes contact with the mercury atoms. This gives energy to the mercury atoms, which is released as the light we see.

The amount of energy lost is almost negligible and thus little heat is produced. And because of this, fluorescent lights are more economical. It just means that their energy output is equal to the energy input.

When the filament is burning it will give off some light. More heat is being given off than there is light. The issue at stake is that most of the energy consumed for the bulb does not translate into light.

Fluorescent light is different from incandescent light. They work at a different range and a different color temperature. Fluorescent lighting was usually used in basements and garages before the advent of CFLs.

A fluorescent bulb tends to cost more than an incandescent bulb by at least 3 - 10 times. It's up to you to decide which is better for you, paying less for a bulb that doesn't last as long (750-1000 hours), or paying more for a bulb that will last longer (6,000-15,000). Your overall savings for fluorescent bulbs will be about 70%. this includes the electric bill and the initial purchase price.

People do argue about the environmental cost of the different types of light. When compared to other factors, such as auto exhaust and industrial gases, it really has no impact at all. Actually, the amount is negligible and isn't a point to consider.

The decision is usually based on an individual's likes or dislikes. This and your budget will be the biggest factors, at least until you learn about LEDs.

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