Every day I walk past shops, restaurants and homes with sallow or cold and depressing lighting that repels people rather than drawing them in. Choosing the right light bulbs involves considering factors like brightness, energy efficiency, color temperature, lighting quality, and bulb type - but it's not as hard as you might think. Here’s a concise guide to help you make the right choice:
1. Determine Brightness (Lumens)
Old Standard: Wattage (e.g., 60W bulb) indicates brightness but not energy efficiency.
What to Look for: Lumens measure brightness.
450 lumens = 40W incandescent
800 lumens = 60W incandescent
1100 lumens = 75W incandescent
1600 lumens = 100W incandescent
If the lighting in your home is dimmable, I always recommend going with a higher lumen count so you can tune your lighting for functional activities or relaxing in the evening.
2. Choose the Right Bulb Type
LED: Energy-efficient, long-lasting, cool to the touch, available in various color temperatures.
CFL: Energy-efficient, less durable than LED.
Incandescent: Traditional, warm light, but less efficient (avoid unless necessary).
Halogen: Slightly more efficient than incandescent, but still less than LED/CFL.
3. Pick the Right Color Temperature (Kelvin)
Soft White (2700K-3000K): Warm, cozy light for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.
Bright White (3500K-4100K): Bright, clean light which can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, or reading areas (although I generally prefer a soft white closer to 3000K in these areas).
I never recommend using the following color temperatures in your home:
Daylight (5000K-6500K): Bright, cool light that will make your home feel like an airport or hospital.
Cool White (3500K-4100K): Sterile, unnatural feeling light that will make your space feel cold.
4. Pay Attention to the Light Quality (CRI - Color Rendering Index)
Check the side of the light bulb box to find the black rectangle with all bulb specifications including CRI.
90+ CRI: Clean, high-quality lighting that will make your space look vibrant and sophisticated.
Less than 90 CRI: Low-quality, sallow and sepia-toned lighting that will make colors look washed-out and your space look sad and dull.
5. Consider Energy Efficiency (Energy Star Rating)
LED bulbs are typically the most energy-efficient.
Look for Energy Star certification for better performance and longevity.
6. Match Bulb Base and Size to Fixtures
Check the socket type (E26 for standard bulbs, E12 for candelabra, etc.).
Ensure the bulb fits your fixture or lamp.
7. Dimmability
If you want to control brightness, choose dimmable LED or CFL bulbs.
8. Longevity and Cost
LED bulbs last the longest (up to 25,000 hours), reducing the need for replacements.
Though upfront cost may be higher, they save on electricity bills in the long run.
By considering these factors, you can ensure you select the right light bulbs that match your needs for both efficiency and ambiance.
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