A lot of the power incandescent light bulbs draw goes into the production of heat. Producing heat when light is needed is a waste of power. Fluorescent light bulbs emit very little heat from the power drawn.
Fluorescent light bulbs are in a group of lighting that has been labeled “energy-efficient lighting.” A 22-watt fluorescent bulb is capable of emitting the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent light bulb.
Since fluorescent light bulbs require less wattage to produce light, they save the consumer on electrical costs in the long run. Fluorescent bulbs have a higher initial purchase cost than incandescent light bulbs, but this cost is offset by the amount of power that will be saved in the long run.
Lumens are a measure of light intensity. A standard 100-watt incandescent bulb has a lumen output of around 1,750 lumens or 17.5 lumens per watt of power drawn. A 28-watt fluorescent light bulb has a lumen output of around 1,750 lumens also or 62.5 lumens per watt of power drawn.
Both types of light bulbs are available to consumers in varying wattages. Incandescent light bulbs are available mostly in 40-, 60-, 75-, 100- and 150-watt models. Fluorescent light bulbs, on the other hand, are available in a much wider variety or wattages.