Cold Cathode

Fluorescent

H.I.D.

LED

Incandescent

Lamp Life

80,000+ hrs.

10,000 to

20,000 hrs.

w/50% failure before end of rated life

20,000 hrs.

50,000 hrs. claimed

>20,000 hrs. actual

750 to

10,000 hrs.

Lumens per watt

105 to 124

50 to 100

Up to 125

12 to 22

15 to 25

Cost per Lumen

$0.02 to $0.03

$0.20 to $1.00

Lumen output per foot

Up to 1050

Up to 1075

N/A

Up to 100

N/A

Power Source

Ballast

Ballast

Ballast

Direct

Light output degradation at half life of lamp

-5%

-10% to -12%

-25% to -50%

-50%

0%

Instant light output at startup

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

Lamp life effected by on and off switching

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Dimmable

Yes

No unless a special dimming ballast is used

No

Only with some systems

Yes

Light output or efficiency is effected by hot temperatures

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

Light color range rated in Kelvin

2,400 to 7,100

2,800 to 4,100

not including a full spectrum lamp

3,500 to 4,500

3,750 to 6,500

2,800

Light color uniformity

Over life of lamp

Consistent

No

Consistent after warm-up

No

Consistent

Lamp contributes to heat gain in application

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Linear lamp can be customized in length or configuration

Yes

No

N/A

Yes

N/A