Light Bulb Guide

The following "Bulb Guide" is from the "Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications -- Lighting 2016":

	LED	Halogen	CFL	Incandescent
How it works	An electric current and semiconductor create light	Filament heated until it glows	Electrodes and electric current create light in a tube containing gases	Filament heated until it glows
Uses	Indoor and outdoor; check packaging for correct bulb	Indoor and outdoor	Indoor and outdoor; check packaging for correct bulb	Indoor and outdoor
Bulb types	Flood, spotlight, globe, candle and A-line	A-line, single ended, double ended, MR, PAR, reflector	A-line, globe, spiral, indoor reflector, PAR, post, triple tube	A-line, decorative, globe, reflector, PAR
Dimming	Yes	Yes	Yes, but check packaging	Yes
Advantages	Most efficient, longest lasting	Generates less heat than incandescent, inexpensive	Incredibly efficient and long lasting	Inexpensive
Disadvantages	Most expensive bulb	Uses a lot of energy; short life span	Contain small amounts of mercury.  Some manufacturers phasing them out.	Generates too much heat and uses too much energy with a short life span; being phased out