Understanding the types of lightbulbs

Choosing a particular type of lightbulb can completely transform the style and ambience of a room. That’s why it’s essential to understand the different characteristics of various lightbulbs. However, before we look at the different types of light, you must ensure lightbulbs that will be used outside are damp- or wet-rated to handle brief moisture or direct water exposure.

FOUR LIGHTBULB TYPES

Popular types of lightbulbs include halogen, incandescent, compact fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting diode (LED).

LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED)

LEDs are one of the most energy-efficient lightbulb types. They don’t contain mercury or give off heat and emit a bright light. In addition, they have a long life and are ideal for lighting heart-do-reach places.

COMPACT FLUORESCENT (CFL)

CFLs are energy-efficient lightbulbs that emit a significant range of colours based on the model. While they often take time to warm up and shine brighter, they’re perfect for illuminating large spaces, last longer than incandescent lights, and are less expensive than LED lights. However, CFLs contain mercury and need to be handled with care. Once CFLs burn out, you should recycle them.

INCANDESCENT

These are the most common and least expensive types of lightbulbs. They can be used with dimmers, emit a warm light, and usually last up to a year. This type of lightbulb has the shortest lifespan of the four types of lightbulbs. In addition, incandescent lightbulbs aren’t very energy efficient.

HALOGEN

Halogen lightbulbs emit a white light reminiscent of noon daylight. While the lifespan of this dimmable energy-efficient lightbulb isn’t as long as LED or CFL lightbulbs, it does last longer than incandescent lightbulbs. In addition, In addition, halogen lightbulbs warm quickly and should be handled with gloves since they can explode.

UNDERSTANDING WATTS AND LUMENS

Watts indicate how much energy a lightbulb uses. For example, a light that needs more wattage needs more power to produce light. Furthermore, to shine brighter, the lightbulb also requires a higher wattage.

Bulb typeStandardHalogenCFLLED
450 Lumens40 W29 W9 W6 W
800 Lumens60 W42 W14 W9 W
1 100 Lumens75 W53 W18 W11 W
1 600 Lumens100 W72 W23 W14 W

On the other hand, lumens refer to the lightbulb’s brightness. Like watts, the higher the lumen, the brighter the light.

COLOUR AND TEMPERATURE

Another consideration for choosing lightbulbs is the colour measured on the Kelvins (K) temperature scale.

CANDLELIGHT (1 000K – 2 600K)

Lightbulbs with less than 2 000K has a dim glow, like candlelight, and are usually used to create a soft ambience in a room.

WARM WHITE (2 600K – 3 000K)

This type of lightbulb is generally used as wall or ceiling lights and is the standard incandescent lightbulb colour. Use these lightbulbs in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.

NEUTRAL WHITE (3 500K – 4 000K)

The cool, white-coloured lightbulbs emanate a bright light, making them ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and home offices.

DAYLIGHT (5 000K+)

If you need a crisp light similar to daylight, this is the colour temperature you need. It’s great for outdoor and security lighting.

LIGHTBULB SHAPES

Another lightbulb variable is its shape. Choosing the right shape will complement your home’s style and might even impact its effectiveness for the given application. Common lightbulb shapes include

standard, capsule (often halogen), globe (rounder than standard), candle (often LED), tube (fluorescent), spiral (CFL), and floodlight/spotlight (infrared).

LIGHTBULB BASES

The final consideration when choosing a particular lightbulb is the type and size of its base. “Edisons” have a screwed-in design in various sizes and are one of the most common types of lightbulbs. Another popular base type is twist and lock bases. Each of these lightbulb bases has a specific code.

CONTACT KRELUM LIGHTING FOR MORE INFORMATION

With so many different types of lighting on the market and even more functional considerations like colour warmth, shape, watts, and bases, you may feel overwhelmed. However, Krelum Lighting is a one-stop-shop for all your lighting needs. From LED lighting to CFLs and incandescent lightbulbs, we have it all. Contact us for more information about the right lighting solution for your needs.