What is incandescent light?

An incandescent light bulb uses electricity to heat up a tungsten wire encased in a glass shell until it glows. Because this light source also gives off heat, it is often used in incubators and lava lamps and to speed the drying process.

Because 95 percent of the energy they require to produce visible light is given off as heat, incandescent bulbs are less energy efficient than fluorescent or LED lighting alternatives. Incandescent bulbs also need to be replaced more frequently, which creates more waste. These factors have led many countries to phase out their use. As of 2014, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina and other countries have prohibited the use of incandescent light bulbs entirely.