Each type of light bulb has advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a rundown :

• Incandescent bulbs ; Still the most commonly used light source, incandescent bulbs cost the least up front and cast a warm, pleasant light. However, they produce a lot of heat.
• Fluorescent bulbs ; Although a fluorescent lamp can cost as much as 12 times more than a standard incandescent bulb, it uses only one-third the electricity and costs less over time. Fluorescent lamps last longer in fixtures that aren’t turned on and off frequently.
• Tungsten-halogen lights ; A low-voltage type of incandescent bulb, tungsten (or halogen) light provides an intense beam ideal for accenting. While incandescents grow dim with age, halogen lamps produce a consistently bright, white light as long as the bulb lasts, which is often four times longer than regular incandescents. These lamps also use less electricity.