In 1958, halogen bulbs were introduced to the world. These light bulbs are a lot brighter than traditional ones, and they have been the most common choice for headlights for a number of years now.
Another great thing about these lights is that they are a lot more energy efficient than traditional bulbs, and they last a lot longer. They are very similar in design to traditional lights, even including a tungsten filament, but instead of glass, they are made from quartz. This allows the lights to be a lot smaller than others because quartz can handle hotter temperatures and be closer to the filament than glass can.
Regular Lighting
Until 1958, all households were lit using traditional electric light bulbs. These are made with frosted glass that surrounds argon and/or nitrogen, and there is a tungsten filament in the middle. When the light is plugged in and turned on, the filament in the bulb heats up to about 2,500 degrees Celsius. The tungsten gets hot, white hot actually, and this light is the incandescence that we see.
The biggest problem with regular light bulbs, besides the fact that you usually end up breaking at least one from every package by dropping it, is that they don't last very long. Usually you get about 750-1,000 hours of use from one light. This is because the tungsten evaporates and ends up depositing itself on the glass, leaving a thin area that ends up breaking, which is what leads to burnout. You also get more heat than light, which means that they are not very energy efficient and you waste all that heat.
Why Halogen Is Better
You will find some similarities between traditional and halogen lighting, including the fact that that they both use a tungsten filament. One of the biggest differences is the fact that instead of glass, the outer part is made from quartz. These lights are much smaller than traditional lights because the quartz can withstand much hotter temperatures. Instead of argon or nitrogen, the gas used comes from the halogen group. These gases can combine with tungsten vapor, which is what helps to make these bulbs last so much longer.
When the temperatures become too high, the gas combines with the tungsten atoms while they are evaporating. This causes them to be recycled, making the lights last a lot longer than traditional light bulbs. Another bonus is that you get more light and less heat from your bulbs. Just remember not to touch the bulbs with your bare hands though. You can get a bad enough burn from traditional lighting, and these get even hotter.
The next time you need to replace the bulbs in your lamps and ceiling fixtures, spend a little bit more and get yourself some long-lasting halogen bulbs. They give off a lot more light, they are much more energy efficient, and they will last longer than other bulbs. Sure, you may be paying a little bit more now, but you will end up saving money in the long run.
Choosing the Perfect Light Fixture for Your Victorian-Style Bedroom
0 comments:
Post a Comment