Buying the right light bulb has gotten more difficult over the years as innovation has led to smarter and more environmentally friendly options. Here are some facts to consider when buying new light bulbs.
BULB SHAPE, TECHNOLOGY AND CAP DECODED
Caps or fittings refer to how the light bulb is fitted into the socket. In the South Africa we have three basic household fittings:
- E27 is a standard screw-in fitting
- E14 is a smaller and thinner screw-in fitting
- B22 is a standard bayonet fitting
- B15 is a smaller B22
Some of the common shapes of domestic light bulbs include:
- A Shape
- Candle
- Spiral (commonly compact fluorescents)
- Stick now led as well (commonly compact fluorescents)
- Globe
- Circular
- Tube also led (fluorescent)
The main technologies used in home applications include LED, halogen and fluorescent.
- Halogen lights are perfect for chandeliers, wall lights and spotlights. They are small, provide bright light and can be dimmed
- Fluorescent lights are available in tubes or compact bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are cost-effective since they are long-lasting. Fluorescent tubes are more energy-efficient compared to incandescent lamps and last an average of 10 to 20 times longer.
- LED lights have a long lifespan, roughly between 10 000 and 25 000 hours. They are highly energy-efficient have a compact size and do not emit as much radiation as other light sources.
HOW MUCH LIGHT
While watts are still the common unit of energy measurements, companies also use lumens. Here’s a quick comparison of common measurements:
- A 100-watt bulb is equivalent to a bulb with 1600 lumens
- A 75-watt bulb is equivalent to a bulb with 1100 lumens
- A 60-watt bulb is equivalent to a bulb with 800 lumens
- A 40-watt bulb is equivalent to a bulb with 450 lumens
COLOUR TEMPERATURE
White light bulbs can be the warm, yellow light of the traditional incandescent light bulb, the cool, light of daylight or somewhere in between. Manufacturers often use terms like “soft” or “warm” or “daylight” but this isn’t standard across manufacturers. To determine the colour cast of a light bulb, look at the colour temperature in degrees Kelvin.
- 2 700 – 2 800K: Warm yellow light
- 3 000 – 3 200K: Slightly yellow warm light
- 3 500 – 4 000K: Neutral bright white light
- 5 000 – 6 500K: Slightly bluish bright white light (strongly recommended for outdoors only)
CAN YOU SEE THE LIGHT?
Krilux Lighting is a one-stop-shop for all of your lighting and electrical needs. As a top lighting supplier, we can provide our customers with a wide product range to choose from. If you need help in deciding on the right bulb, get in touch with us today.