How to Choose the Right Lightbulb

Various types of lightbulb options can fulfill different purposes within your living space. Lighting is something we use every day and often take for granted. The kind of lighting you choose for your rooms directly affects their atmosphere and mood. Choosing the proper lighting can be simple when you understand your options. 

There are several characteristics to look for when selecting a lightbulb, including:

• Lumens 
• Wattage
• Color and temperature
• The type of lightbulb

Examining these characteristics can help you decide which lightbulb will create the perfect lighting for your home. To get the best lightbulbs for your home, learn more about these characteristics and how they factor into lightbulb selection.

Table of Contents

• Choosing a LightbulbTypes of Lightbulbs to Choose From
  • Lumens
  • Wattage
  • Color and Temperature
• Types of Lightbulbs to Choose From

Choosing a Lightbulb: Lumens

The first characteristic to look at is lumens. The term “lumen” means “light,” and lumens are the light the bulb emits. More lumens mean brighter light, while fewer lumens equal dimmer light. Standard 100-watt bulbs produce about 1600 lumens. By comparing the lumens and life of different bulbs of the same wattage, you can select the lightbulb that provides the best combination of light output and life span.

It is essential to remember that lumens are the proper way to measure LED lights’ light output instead of watts. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires LED lights to be measured this way because it is more important to tell how bright the bulb is than its power output. 

The lumen levels of the lights in your home may vary widely, so here’s some guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy:

• Use a 1600-lumen bulb to replace an incandescent bulb with 100 watts. You can opt for fewer lumens if you want something dimmer or more lumens for added brightness.
• Choose an 1100-lumen bulb in place of a 75-watt incandescent bulb.
• Select an 800-lumen bulb to replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
• Use a 450-lumen bulb in place of a 40-watt incandescent bulb. 

Choosing a Lightbulb: Wattage

The next characteristic you should look at is the wattage. Wattage describes how much energy a lightbulb uses to generate a specified amount of light. The higher the wattage, the more power a lightbulb consumes. The lower your lightbulb wattage is, the lower your electric bill may be. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LEDs can emit comparable light output with lower wattage than incandescent bulbs.

Here are a few examples of wattage in relation to lumens:

• A 40-watt incandescent lamp produces 380-460 lumens at a rate of 40 watts of energy per hour.
• A 100-watt incandescent lamp emits 1700-1800 lumens at 100 watts of energy each hour.
• Direct sunlight requires no energy and equates to approximately 100K lumens.

Choosing a Lightbulb: Color and Temperature

The light color or appearance of lightbulbs is measured on the Kelvin (K) temperature scale, based on the difference in soft whites versus yellow daylight bulbs. Lower Kelvin numbers mean more yellow light. The higher the number, the whiter or bluer the light. Consider these ranges to identify a bulb that matches your space’s needs:

• Soft white: Soft white lightbulbs range from 2700K to 3000K and have a yellowish look. These are the standard color of incandescent bulbs. They are suitable for bedrooms and living rooms and for highlighting dark wood. 
• Warm white: Warm white lightbulbs range from 3000K to 4000K and fall between a yellow and white hue. These are good for kitchens, workspaces and bathrooms.
• Bright white: Bright white lightbulbs range from 4000K to 5000K and display a white to blue color. These are good for kitchens and bathrooms with chrome or white fixtures.
• Daylight: Daylight lightbulbs range from 5000K to 6500K and are blueish in color. They are great for reading because they are easy on the eyes and have bright illumination. 

Types of Lightbulbs to Choose From

There is a large variety of lightbulbs to choose from, which makes type an important consideration. The different types of lightbulbs include the following: 

1. Incandescent

The industry standard used to be incandescent bulbs before laws requiring new, energy-efficient standards were implemented. All standard incandescent bulbs have been phased out and will no longer be produced. Many of the specialty incandescent bulbs are still available. These usually last about a year, can be used with a dimmer switch and don’t contain mercury.

2. Halogen

Halogen bulbs use a filament that’s heated to the point of glowing. They are similar to incandescent bulbs, but they use less energy. They usually last one year on average and don’t contain mercury.

3. Fluorescent

When electricity is applied, fluorescent bulbs emit UV light via the mercury vapor inside. The tubes are bulbs that use a special coating to convert UV rays into light. Fluorescent bulbs require less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them ideal for offices, kitchens, and other areas needing a large amount of light. 

Fluorescent bulbs produce 70% less heat than incandescent bulbs, meaning they can keep rooms cool with less energy. Though some fluorescent lights come in U-shaped bulbs, they are typically long and tube-shaped. These lights cannot work without a ballast, a device that regulates the current to the bulb. 

4. Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

Light-emitting diode bulbs produce light up to 75% more efficiently than incandescent bulbs. Inside the LED, an electrical current moves through a microchip. This action illuminates the small light sources — called LEDs — to create visible light. LED bulbs do not typically burn out. They experience lumen depreciation, meaning the brightness of the LED dims slowly over time. LED lifetime is measured by a prediction of when the light output decreases by 30%. 

5. High-Intensity Discharge (HID)

High-intensity discharge bulbs are suitable for large spaces like streetlights, commercial buildings and warehouses. They conduct electricity with mercury or sodium vapor. They last longer than many lightbulbs because they do not have filaments.

6. Xenon

Xenon bulbs are specialized types of glass discharge lamps. They produce light by sending electric currents through highly pressurized ionized xenon gas. This light creates a bright white light mimicking sunlight. Consumers are most familiar with these for use in their automobile headlights. 

Wondering Which Lightbulb Is the Right Fit for You?

Contact Lippolis Electric today to learn more, request more information via our web form or fill out our service scheduling form to get in touch.