There are four lighting technologies available on the market. They include:

1. Incandescent
2. Fluorescent
3. Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL)
4. Light Emitting Diode (LED)

The first two technologies are part of mature technology which are not efficient and environment friendly. On the other hand, CFLs and LEDs are replacements that support your sustainable lifestyle.

CFLs are a miniature version of full-sized fluorescent lamp. They screw into standard lamp sockets. Their main characteristics may be concluded as follows:

• CFLs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs as they use 50%-80% less energy in order to provide same amount of light;
• CFLs are environment friendly as their carbon offset is half-ton of CO2 out to atmosphere less than incandescent bulbs;
• CFLs last as much as 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs;
• CFLs, while more expensive at first, save money in a long run and can be viewed by way of a RES Technologies 'Energy Conservation Report';
• CFL has much smaller amounts of mercury than incandescent bulbs, but must be handled and disposed of in a proper manner;

LEDs are small, solid light bulbs that are extremely energy efficient. They come in clusters – from 2 to 36 LED bulbs. Their main characteristics may be concluded as follows:

• LED is the most efficient lighting technology, as they use more than 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs in order to provide the same amount of light;
• LEDs last 10 times longer than CFLs, and 133 times longer than incandescent bulbs;
• LEDs do not increase need for air conditioning in the room as they produce only 3.4 BTU/hour, comparing to 85 BTU/hour coming from incandescent bulbs;
• LED, a developing technology, is more expensive than incandescent lighting;
• LEDs are great spot light;