Often used in task lights, these bulbs are comparable to PL, Dulux, and Biax bulbs. Brightness is measured in lumens; the higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb. Bulbs with a warm light appearance have yellow tones. Bulbs with a neutral light appearance are often used in workspaces. Bulbs with a cool light appearance have white/blue tones and are good for inspecting. A bulb’s estimated yearly cost is based on 3 hours of usage per day at $0.11 per kWh.

LED bulbs last longer and are more efficient than CFL bulbs. They generate little heat, withstand vibration, and are shatterproof. LED bulbs are socket ready. They plug directly into a fixture and work with most electronic ballasts, but not all. Their bases are designed to fit multiple sockets.

CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs are energy efficient, but take several seconds to reach full brightness. They cannot be sold to Canada because they do not meet local efficiency standards and exceed local regulatory limits on mercury (for disposal information, visit www.epa.gov/cfl).