Incandescent vs. Fluorescent

Incandescent and fluorescent are two types of light, which are commonly produced by bulbs. In the past, fluorescent light was used more in commercial and industrial settings, but is now becoming more popular in residential settings.

Incandescent light is a glowing white light produced by heat. It is often viewed as more "natural" than fluorescent light and has been preferred for home use even though it is not as energy-efficient as fluorescent light. An incandescent light bulb works by heating a filament in the bulb.

Fluorescent light is a bright light produced by electricity flowing through a tube filled with ionized gas. Fluorescent light bulbs are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. They take time to reach their full brightness and tend to be slightly more expensive than incandescent bulbs but last much longer. There is some concern about the fact that they contain mercury.

Both types of light have been used to manufacture bulbs in different sizes, shapes, and strength. There are pros and cons to each, but as fluorescent light is improved (less flickering, more natural glow) it is becoming more popular than incandescent light.