Incandescent lamps have a light bulb that gets its source of light through incandescence; when the filament becomes heated, it produces light. Incandescent lamp manufacturers create a large range of sizes and voltages in their products. In home and commercial lighting, such lights are appropriate for car headlights, electric flashlights, and decorative lighting such as incandescent floor lamps and incandescent desk lamps.

Some use the incandescent lamps for their heat source rather than for their light source. While many businesses continue to use incandescent lamps for various reasons, others have begun to replace their incandescent light bulbs because other light sources produce the same amount of light at less electrical input than incandescent lamps, resulting in lower costs. Before using incandescent lighting, consider the following:

1. Do you need incandescent lamps for a heat source?

2. Will incandescent lamps provide enough visible light for your needs?

3. Can you find a more energy-efficient lighting than incandescent lamps that will meet your needs?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use incandescent lamps as a heat source for animals and in toys

Poultry farms may find it useful to use the heat from incandescent light bulbs to keep young chicks and eggs warm. Likewise, pet stores use the bulbs' heat for the heating needs of tropical animals and reptiles. For children, manufacturers use the heat source from the incandescent lamps in products such as the Easy Bake Oven toy.

I recommend: That Pet Place sells a blue incandescent bulb to heat reptile cages. Drill Spot offers a higher voltage incandescent bulb. Use the bulb in larger areas for heating.

Consider incandescent lamps for decorative lighting

In many cases, businesses need outdoor lighting more for decorative purposes than for visible purposes. Sellers of incandescent lamps sell incandescent light strips; the strips display colors wonderfully and are very attractive on the outlines of hotels and other businesses. One can easily dim these lights for effect. They give off less light than other bulbs and are great for showing off your building or for creating a romantic mood in a restaurant.

I recommend: Incandescent lighting distributors such as Celestial Lighting offer strip lamps and other lights that are good for business and building display. Starry Night Lights sells an incandescent entry bulb that has an unbreakable globe.

Help plants grow with incandescent lamps

Incandescent light bulbs carry much red from the light spectrum. This lighting works well for growing greenery and plants in a florist business or nursery.

I recommend: Purchase incandescent spot grow bulbs from Home Harvest. Buy large watt plant bulbs from suppliers of incandescent lamps such as Ideal True Value.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Incandescent lighting does not provide as much visible light output compared to the energy input it takes. If you need strong visible light or are energy conscious, you may want to consider other lighting sources. Discuss your need with an incandescent lamp supplier to determine what type of lighting you need.