In 2007, Congress began a program that was aimed to phase out inefficient light bulbs in favor of more cost-effective, energy-efficient ones. For the first time, Americans had to but thought into their light bulbs that went beyond changing them when they burnt out.

So what are the different kinds of light bulbs that are offered? Here are the three main types, along with some benefits and drawbacks to each kind.

Halogen
These lights are the most similar to traditional incandescent bulbs, though are a bit more energy efficient. Their popularity lies in the fact that they can easily sub in for incandescents, will work with older dimmer switches and are the cheapest of the three popular types of energy efficient light bulbs. They also turn on instantly, not requiring any time to light up.

Unfortunately, they just simply aren't that much better than incandescents. They don't last much longer and don't have a huge improvement on energy efficiency. Halogen lights also produce an amount of heat comparable to an older light bulb, and don't have a lifespan that is significantly longer, either.

Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL)
Everyone, by now, is familiar with what CFLs look like- sort of a cross between a corkscrew and soft serve ice cream. But don't let their non-traditional shape fool you, these bulbs are were a huge step forward when it came to energy efficiency. In fact, they can last up to ten times as long as an incandescent bulb, which is great because they are a bit more expensive than the halogen options. CFLs are also more energy efficient than halogens. Across the board, CFLs can be a great choice for a large-scale home or office lighting replacement.

Unlike halogens, CFLs can't light up completely at the flick of a switch. They can take a few minutes to reach their full brightness. There have also been reports of CFLs emitting an off-putting odor or noise. Another drawback is that if you have a switch for the LED dimmer, it is going to be incompatible with these bulbs. They also contain a small amount of mercury, which means that they can't just be thrown away when they are done.

Light Emitting Diode (LED)
LED light bulbs are gaining popularity for a variety of reasons. First of all, they are far and away the most energy efficient light bulbs on the market which adds long-term value to them. They also can last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. This means that the percentage of energy consumption that comes from manufacturing the bulb is much lower than either incandescent, halogen or CFL bulbs, making them the most environmentally friendly of the bunch. They are also unique in that they come in a variety of colors that can be changed with the press of a button. Though they don't work well with old fashioned dimmers, special LED dimmers are available on the market, some of which can even be controlled through your smart phone. LEDs come in strips, ropes and a variety of other shapes as well. Because LED lights don't contain any mercury, like CFLs do, they can be simply thrown away when they are spent.

Of all of the light bulb options, LEDs are the most expensive. Switching an entire home over to LEDs in one sweep would have the most overhead, but it would also add up to the most savings in the long run. Also, the nature of LED light is very directional, and some do find the light too harsh, though modifications are always being made to soften the light and mimic the incandescent glow that many prefer. 

Although the cost for LEDs has historically been high, tools exist, along with new technology, to reduce how much you will pay for the product.

Energy Star has released a new report with recommendations of how businesses can be safer and more cost effective through the use of commercial LED lighting. All facilities accessible to the public require illuminated exit signs that must operate 24 hours per day. 

Many buildings use incandescent or fluorescent/compact fluorescent lights that have a relatively short lifespan and take large amounts of energy to operate. Energy Star suggests companies consider the switch to LED lighting for exit signs.

Exit signs are a familiar sight in public buildings, though many may not realize how heavily regulated they are. All exit signs must be visible in the case of an emergency in order to help people find their way out of the building. These signs are regulated by the Life Safety Code, which holds them to high standards. These include standards for the size, location, coloring and visibility. All exit signs must be illuminated by a reliable light source so that they can be visible at low light levels or through smoke.

During a biennial inspection by the United States Office of Compliance, there were nearly 50 instances of improper exit signage in the Capitol complex alone. The high maintenance-factor of many incandescent commercial light fixtures are often to blame. This can be avoided with the switch to LED lighting.

Benefits of an LED lit sign
LED exit signs are also brighter than other types of lighting, and are more visible because of a greater contrast with their background due to the monochromatic nature of the light that LEDs emit, according to Energy Star.

In the case of a power outage, most exit signs come with a battery back-up to ensure that the signs remain lit. Because LED lights are so energy efficient, this battery back-up is sure to last much longer than it would powering an incandescent or fluorescent light, as LEDs require a fraction of the energy to run compared to an incandescent bulb.

Exit signs can also have emergency lighting nearby. With LEDs, there is the option of a combined sign and emergency lighting system.

Exit signs illuminated by LED lights are both an economical choice, and one that has the potential to save lives.

The world of lighting is about to take a step into the 21st century. The perfect gift for Father's Day, RGB LinkUp WiFi LED Light Bulbs offer dads the ability to change their lighting scheme at the touch of a button.

Usually, the way a room is lit is stagnant. We can turn the lights on and off, and maybe dim them if we're lucky. If we want to change the color of the lights to alter the mood or the focus of a space, it involves manually swapping out the bulbs. Now, the color temperature, brightness or even color effects of your lighting can change at the touch of a button.

Each LinkUp LED Light Bulb has the ability to transform from a traditional bulb to one of 50 colors. They can be customized to match any mood or color scheme, or users can pick from any of the pre-programmed modes.

Controlling your LEDs
The bulbs can be controlled one of two ways. Every LinkUp LED Light Bulb kit comes with a remote that can be used on an infinite number of individual bulbs. You also have the option to download an app to control the lighting system on your Android or iPhone. To use the smartphone app, your light bulbs will be linked through the LinkUp WiFi Router to allow complete control of the lighting system.

These lights can change the mood of any kind of room. Home entertainment centers, wine cellars and home bars can go from bright and cheery to moody and mysterious with the swipe of a finger. Because number of bulbs that each remote control or smartphone can control is infinite, it's great for office buildings, restaurants, hotels and casinos, too.

While these bulbs are certainly revolutionary, installing them is no different than screwing in a traditional light bulb. Once they are installed, Dad can use the color wheel on the remote control or smartphone app to change the color and brightness of any room.

Not only will Dad love the ability to change the ambiance of a room with the touch of a button, he'll be thrilled when he sees his energy bill. Because all LinkUp Light Bulbs are LEDs, they use a fraction of the electricity that a traditional incandescent bulb does, which translates to huge energy savings.

So this Father's Day, spare your dad another boring tie and get him a whole new way to light his favorite space.

Those who live in an urban or some suburban areas may be used to not being able to see the stars, even on perfectly clear nights. Many have lived in the city so long that they may have stopped looking for them, now familiar with the vaguely glowing haze that comes with urban skies at night.

The problem of light pollution
When the word "pollution" is tossed around, images of roadside trash or factories billowing smoke are generally conjured. However, arguably the most easily tackled type of pollution is light pollution. This is simply artificial light that is intended for humans that allows light to escape upward into the sky. While it may not sound like a life and death issue, there are many untold consequences of light pollution.

To start with, generating light that just shines up into the sky is extremely impractical. According to The International Dark-Sky Association, $2.2 billion is wasted on energy to power light that is ultimately unused in the United States alone. Much of this is the result of streetlights that are simply poorly designed and send as much light outwards and upwards as they do to the street.

Aside from the economic waste, light pollution has real environmental impacts as well. Nocturnal animals can become disoriented by the unnatural light. For example, marine turtles prefer to nest on dark beaches, which are becoming more rare. When their eggs finally hatch, the hatchlings are naturally drawn to the sea, which is brighter at night as it reflects the moonlight. However, in more populated areas, the newborn turtles are disoriented and confused by the artificial lights of buildings behind the beach. According to National Geographic, Florida alone loses hundreds of thousands of hatchlings each year. Similarly, migrating birds often collide with buildings that are lit up at night, killing tens of thousands per year.

Living in a place that never gets dark is also tampering with humans. Our internal clock helps us know when to sleep and when to wake, and it is assisted by the difference between day and night time. Exposure to artificial lights all day and night may be tampering with our bodies' natural rhythms, which may be linked to o sleep disorders, obesity, depression, diabetes, and an increased growth of cancer cells, specifically breast cancer.

Solving the light pollution problem
It may sound grim, but there are plenty of solutions to be had. One only needs to look to Flagstaff, Ariz. The home of Lowell, U.S. Naval and other astronomical observatories, Flagstaff realized that it needed to do something about light pollution back in 1958. They did so using three simple steps: Shielding all light fixtures, being picky about the spectrum of light sources by using LED exterior lighting, and simply limiting the amount of light used.

According to the Flagstaff Dark Skies Association, full shielding of light fixtures to direct all light down can reduce sky glow to as little as 5 percent of what typically partially shielded or unshielded lighting produce. Towns can also be specific about the spectral characteristics of their light sources. This can reduce sky glow to 13 percent of what it typically is. For example, narrow-spectrum amber AlInGaP LED outdoor lighting fixtures would be preferable over a metal-halide light. 

Finally, cities can cut down the amount of light that is used. According to the Flagstaff Dark Skies Association, lumen caps of 50,000 – 100,000 lumens per acre have been shown to reduce average lighting amounts to 30 to 75 percent of average un-capped commercial lighting practice. 

Though light pollution may not initially feel like a terribly pressing issue, it is wasteful, harmful to the environment and may have untold effects on the population, and it is entirely fixable. Cities across the country can take simple steps to have the night sky back.

There are more than 47,000 hotels in America that spend nearly 6 percent of all operating costs on lighting. Energy Star said hotels spend an average of $2,196 for energy on each available room, however, energy efficient installations including sustainable lighting can help hospitality companies across the country save as much as 10 percent on energy consumption a year. 

Lighting systems such as compact fluorescent lights and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can help reduce energy use and contribute to cutting down energy costs. Hotels can also install occupancy sensors to aid in cutting back on energy consumption. The sensors will automatically turn the lights off when a room is empty, which is where a lot of wasteful energy costs come from. 

Hotel guests tend to move away from eco-friendly practices when they are staying in a hotel, which adds to the importance of energy-efficient technology in rooms and lobbies. According to the Illinois Energy Design Assistance Center, approximately 63 percent of travelers will leave a light on when they leave their hotel compared to leaving on a light at home. 

Lighting costs in hotels account for 30 percent of total energy consumption, the IEDAC said. So upgraded lighting fixtures such as T8 or T5 florescent bulbs in large open areas as well as routine maintenance on lighting systems can help hotels save money on energy costs. 

LEDs can also consume less energy without costing more money and they last longer than other types of light bulbs. According to IEDAC, LEDs only consume 5 watts of energy per fixture and can last up to 10,000 hours without requiring maintenance. 

Hotels interested in saving money by making sustainable upgrades should consider new lighting installations such as LEDs or compact fluorescent bulbs. 

When considering the lighting design for the interior of your home, it's better to think about the tasks completed in each of the rooms. According to the American Lighting Association, good lighting can help homeowners see better and perform tasks more easily. 

The mood and ambience of a home can be adjusted with the proper lighting. Suitable fixtures include under cabinet lighting or task lighting in the kitchen or in the living room, where tight spaces can feel bigger and personal items can be showcased. 

Because lighting typically accounts for 17 percent of all electricity use in homes, installing energy-efficient lighting solutions can help reduce energy consumption. Dimming controls can help save on energy costs and help in creating the mood of a room. 

When planning lighting for a room, there's more to consider than the activities and the desired look of the room. Homeowners must also think about the decorative elements they want to emphasize, including textured walls or ceilings. 

Efficient bulbs such as LEDs can help reduce energy use. EnvironmentalLights.com offers a variety of under cabinet lighting, task lighting and general lighting installations that are energy-efficient and stylish. Also available are dimmable LEDs and the applications for LEDs are endless. Not only are the LEDs from Environmental Lights energy-efficient but they're also bright and color. A wide selection of bulbs are available including T8 LED Light Tubes, PAR bulbs, Chandelier bulbs and decorative LED lighting.

Custom lighting applications with LEDs can also be created through Environmental Lights. Bulbs are tested against several dimmers to give customers the best recommendations.

The Mona Lisa has received a makeover to help bring out the colors that, experts believe, have faded over time.

As countries around Europe banned old-style incandescent bulbs, museums like the world-famous Louvre have turned to LED lighting fixtures and have found that classic paintings have been given a new life.

The Mona Lisa, painted in the early 16th century, stands as Leonardo Da Vinci's most famous work, and is also the Louvre's biggest draw, bringing in millions of tourists from around the world to see the portrait. However, years of restoration have given her skin a yellowish hue and faded some of the colors.

According to the curator of the Louvre's 16th century Italian paintings department, Vincent Delieuvin, the LED lights have been adjusted to offset these flaws.

"Thanks to the new lighting, we now have a better idea of the painting hidden behind varnish," he told the Los Angeles Times.

This isn't the Louvre's first foray into LED lighting. After the European Union announced that it was heading towards banning incandescent light bulbs, the French museum worked with lighting designers to renovate the outdoor lighting system of the Pyramid, the Pyramidions and the Pavillon Colbert in December 2011 and the Cour Napoleon in May 2012, all of which are now lit using exterior LED lights. The ceiling lights of the Red Room - the current home of the Mona Lisa - has also received a makeover, and a project for Napoleon's Hall is currently underway.

The Mona Lisa was a special undertaking for the museum, as the painting is now lit by 34 LED bulbs that can be adjusted in order to highlight the paintings natural colors and features. Curators and lighting designers worked together to minimize ultraviolet and infrared rays, and keep the smiling lady looking her best.

Due to the advancing technology surrounding LED light bulbs, the energy-efficient light bulbs are expected to become the next big investment for Americans. Clean Technia said lowers costs compared to when the bulbs were first introduced to the market are making them more affordable and appealing to consumers. 

Several LED manufacturers have reported record growth in the LED lighting industry since 2007. Markets that have greatly benefited from installing LED bulbs include stage lighting and architectural lighting, the report stated. 

Commercial and industrial applications for LEDs are expected to grow rapidly in the next few years because the bulbs are estimated to save the market at least 80 percent on energy costs. The residential market is also going to make a huge impact on the lighting industry too, according to the article. 

Lighting accounts for 19 percent of global electricity and the push for energy efficiency is becoming even more important. The LED market, according to the source, is expected to rack in $25 billion by 2020. 

Benefits of LEDs
Because LEDs are energy-efficient and only use one-third less energy than traditional light bulbs, they are better for the environment and create significantly less carbon emissions. LEDs also save money, as much as 25 percent on a home's yearly energy costs, according to Green Conduct. 

LEDs last longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs and make the investment more beneficial in the long run. Although it's best to replace LEDs with the lights you use most often in your home, eventually converting to all LEDs can lead to high savings. 

A new report by the U.S. Department of Energy revealed that LEDs are below toxic element restrictions set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This positive report means that LEDs have a lesser environmental impact than incandescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent lights. They're also more energy-efficient and reduce energy consumption. 

While some question how "green" the bulbs really are, the DOE studied the bulbs and compared them to other fixtures used by consumers to prove their effectiveness. The study focused on the lifecycle of the LED in order to adequately gauge both the energy and environmental impact of the lights. The latest report was one of three issued by the DOE while the first report focused on the energy consumption of LEDs. The second report discussed direct and indirect material and process impacts.

The DOE tested 22 lamps for 17 potentially-toxic elements that could exceed hazardous waste standards set by the government. Lead, silver and copper were part of the assessment. While all the light sources exceeded at least one toxic element requirement, LED lighting fixtures had the least environmental impact. 

LED lighting is growing in popularity and more design options are available using an LED channel. The profiles are are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them good choices for designers, contractors and consumers. Commercial buildings, homes and other buildings now have more lighting options than before because LED channel can provide a professional and finished housing to protect LED strip lights. 

Because designers are always looking for streamlined and cutting edge light solutions for their clients already using LED lights, aluminum channels offers a broader range of options for those who still want to maintain a smooth and modern-looking lighting fixture. A different kind of look can also be achieved with these lighting profiles and add to details of whatever the lights are highlighting, much different than what could be attained with traditional light bulbs. 

The LED profiles of the channels can be cut to match specific lengths if you want to frame an item as small as a mirror or much larger, like a sign on the outside of a building. The product can also be custom designed so there is no object that can't be matched with aluminum channels. Strip lighting and aluminum channels are ideal for water fountains or other alternatively shaped objects. 

The profiles are also good for restaurants that want to highlight menu boards and even large billboards. They can also be used for lighting emergency signs or other safety lights in commercial buildings. 

LEDs are practical lighting options and can help spruce up the style of a living room, a restaurant dining room or other commercial building. They're also environmentally friendly and energy efficient, so they can help save money. According to KLUS, LEDs use one-tenth the energy of traditional light bulbs, give off little heat and provide a quick return on investment.  

EnvironmentalLights.com has several options for aluminum channel edge lighting to choose from for you to create wall installations, eye-catching signs and accent pieces. A specialty LED aluminum channel for glass or acrylic allows homeowners to highlight surface etching, making them perfect to house LED strips for edge lighting.