Can I Purchase Energy Saving Black Light Bulbs?

Black light bulbs are now available in energy saving models, known as compact flourescent lights, or CFL's. These types of lights are designed to replace incandescent lights, and adapting black light bulbs to meet this design has been a relatively simple process. CFL bulbs have also been adapted for other types of special effect lights as well. Black lights get their name from the fact they actually emit very little visible light; their soft purple light is confined almost entirely to the near ultraviolet range of the light spectrum. 

The CFL Difference

Black light bulbs are known for their purple glow and for making white fabric seem to glow. For these reasons, they are especially popular as special effect lights. The best time of the year to purchase black lights is around October, since they are often used as part of Halloween decorating. The trick to energy efficiency in black light bulbs is the amount of ultraviolet generating phospher in the bulb, causing a CFL black light bulb to produce only a small amount of the UV spectrum compared to incandescent black light bulbs. Many CFL black light bulbs come in small tube shapes, though they can also be purchased as spiral shaped CFL bulbs.