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Light Source
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Operation
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Type of Light
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Strengths
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Weaknesses
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Comments
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Fluorescent
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When electricity passes through mercury vapor in a glass tube the invisible light given off interacts with the coating in the glass and produces visible light |
All types of white light (e.g., warm white, cool white, daylight) with good to very good color rendition |
Gives off a lot of light and is energy-efficient. Newer, compact models can fit some residential fixtures |
Older fluorescents can make you look gray-green; many fluorescent fixtures cannot be dimmed |
New fluorescents with new coatings give fluorescent lights a much more flattering glow |
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Halogen
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Similar to incandescent except that a small amount of a halogen gas is added to the glass envelope |
Crisp white light with very good color rendition |
Good for illuminating art and fitting into small areas. Need to be changed less often than incandescent bulbs; can be dimmed; better beam control allows light to be carefully focused |
The light can be too bright for living rooms or some decorative fixtures; light bulbs and fixtures can become very hot; touching glass will shorten the life of the light bulb |
Becoming increasing popular because of their ability to light well |
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Incandescent
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When electricity passes through a metal filament to the point of “incandescence” the filament gives off light as well as plenty of heat |
Yellowish light with good color rendition |
Emits a warm light that flatters pretty much all skin tones; inexpensive to purchase; easily dimmable |
Cheaper models burn out quickly; use a lot more energy than fluorescents or halogens; emit a lot of heat |
The “daylight” varieties are closer to outdoor light than typical incandescent light bulbs |
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LED
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When electricity passes through this electronic component it gives off light and becomes a Light Emitting Diode |
Many colors are available including warm white and cool white |
Uses very little energy or space; is inexpensive to operate; gives off with very little heat; can last for years |
Are not yet widely available for home use and certain types of fixtures can be expensive to purchase; cannot be dimmed |
Quickly becoming a standard in car dashboards, traffic lights, and taillights; home LEDs often require extra parts to operate |
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Xenon
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Very similar to incandescent except a small amount of xenon gas is added to the glass envelope |
Similar to incandescent light only slightly less yellow |
Lasts longer than standard incandescents; can be dimmed; glass can be touched without reducing the life of the light bulb |
Not very energy-efficient; emit some heat but not as hot as halogen |
Becoming very popular for under cabinet lighting |
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Candle
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Cloth wick surrounded by wax has a small burning flame that often “flickers” |
Very yellowish light |
Flame flicker makes everyone look their best and cannot be duplicated by electric light sources |
Fire hazard. Candles need to be replaced often to avoid messy half-burned look |
Almost everyone looks better in candlelight |
