What type of lighting can cause significant heat generation and higher costs over time?

Incandescent lighting generates significant heat as a byproduct of its operation. This type of bulb works by passing an electric current through a filament, which heats up and emits light. However, the majority of the energy consumed by incandescent bulbs is converted into heat rather than light, typically resulting in an efficiency of around 10-17%. As a consequence, this not only leads to increased energy costs—since more power is used to produce less useful light—but also contributes to higher cooling costs in spaces where these bulbs are used extensively. The accumulated heat can necessitate additional cooling measures, further driving up utility bills over time.

In contrast, alternatives such as CFLs and LEDs are designed to be more energy-efficient, converting a greater percentage of electrical energy into light while producing minimal heat. Metal halide lamps, while offering considerable brightness for commercial applications, are still generally less efficient than LED options and can generate substantial heat but not to the extent of incandescent bulbs.