Although the light bulb is a very simple and familiar device, there are so many varieties nowadays that it can be easy to get confused. Instead of buying the first “probably fit” light bulb you see, take the time to choose the one that works best for your fixture. Not only will you be able to save money in the long run, but you will ultimately see for yourself the attractive lighting of your home and prevent a potential fire from using the wrong options.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Understand the Basics
Step 1. Look for a light bulb with the correct wattage
The first thing to look at when choosing a light bulb is the wattage. Each light bulb has a certain wattage - the amount of energy it is capable of producing. This number will range from 40 to 120 watts for a typical luminaire. On the other hand, each luminaire is designed for a certain maximum power - the one that can be used in it without the threat of fire (such a threat arises if the power of the bulbs is too high for it). The appliance with the highest power is capable of causing a fire (it cannot handle the high rated power). Therefore, you should choose a light bulb that is equal to or less than the maximum wattage of your lighting fixture.
- Using a light bulb with a power higher than the maximum is fire hazardous.
- You can use a light bulb with a wattage lower than that indicated on the appliance.
Step 2. Pay attention to the number of lumens
This is the amount of light that will come from the lamp (as opposed to wattage, which indicates the amount of energy). The higher the value of this parameter, the brighter the lamp will be. Therefore, if you want to illuminate a large space, use a light bulb with more lumens (above 1000). A small lamp or table lamp does not need a high lumen light bulb.
The more lumens, the more the light looks like natural sunlight
Step 3. Look at the shape of the lamp
There are many different shapes of light bulbs for different uses. The most traditional are pear-shaped bulbs, but there are spiral, A-shaped, ball, candle flame, tube and other shapes. In principle, the shape does not really matter, but some luminaires require a certain shape of light bulbs - others will either not fit or will not look their best. Check what bulbs you need for your fixture and look for the right ones.
- Check the size of the base and the lighting fixture itself so that the bulb fits there.
- The threaded base comes in several standard sizes: E27 (the most common bulbs), E14 ("minion", small bulbs with a small base, often in the form of a ball or candle), E40 (a large base, usually found in powerful lamps for street lighting). Lamps used in backlighting or directly in the ceiling, as well as miniature halogen or LED bulbs, usually have a pin base.
- The number after the E in the marking of the screw base is its diameter in millimeters. For example, E27 has a diameter of 27 mm.
Step 4. Check the expected lamp life
Not all bulbs last the same long: some last for weeks or months, others for years. Each bulb should be labeled with how long it will last, usually assuming that the bulb will last 3 hours a day. If you use a lighting fixture frequently, it is best to find a long-lasting light bulb for it, but not necessary for a fixture that you rarely turn on.
- Incandescent bulbs tend to burn out the fastest.
- Halogen lamps are somewhat more expensive, but more efficient and usually last longer (provided they are connected correctly and there are no voltage surges).
- Compact fluorescent lamps (they are often called "energy-saving") last several times longer than conventional incandescent lamps, but their service life is significantly reduced with frequent switching on and off the lamp, as well as with voltage drops in the network.
- LED bulbs are the most durable, they last several times longer than incandescent bulbs and noticeably longer than most fluorescent bulbs. Manufacturers usually give them a long-term warranty. It is believed that an LED lamp should last 15,000 hours (13.5 years, 3 hours a day) and 50,000 on / off times.
Step 5. Pay attention to what kind of light will come from the lamp you have chosen
Most bulbs are labeled on their packaging to indicate warm or cold light. Warm light will have an orange / yellow tint (like traditional tungsten incandescent bulbs), cold light will be closer to blue / white. This may not matter to you, but these markings are worth paying attention to if you don't want to accidentally get bright white light instead of cozy yellow.
The temperature of light is measured on the Kelvin scale. Temperature 2700-3000 K corresponds to "warm white", 3500-4500 K - "neutral white" ("bright white"), more than 5000 K - "cold white" (daylight). (These are just rough descriptions. Generally, however, lower temperatures mean warmer / yellow light, and higher temperatures mean colder / blue.)
Step 6. Look at the cost and wattage of a light bulb from a cost perspective
You will not only buy a light bulb from a store, but you will also pay for the electricity it consumes. So in the long run, energy-saving light bulbs will be more efficient than conventional incandescent bulbs (provided that they are not subject to frequent voltage surges), and LED bulbs will be the most economical. You will have to pay more when buying them, but they will last a very long time and will consume little energy.
Step 7. Check the mercury content in the bulb
The mercury content of the lamp does not affect the quality of the light or other points of use. However, when the lamp burns out, it cannot be simply thrown into the trash, but must be recycled. Almost all fluorescent energy-saving lamps now contain mercury, but check the mercury markings when purchasing other bulbs just in case.
Part 2 of 3: Explore Lamp Types
Step 1. Compact fluorescent lamps
This is a general term used for various lamps. A compact fluorescent lamp uses 20-40% less energy to produce the same luminous flux. The light produced by such lamps is similar in color to natural sunlight.
- Compact fluorescent lamps generate less heat and have a longer lifespan than conventional incandescent bulbs, and use less energy, thereby saving you money and protecting the environment from harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
- Look for the “Energy Star” label on the packaging of these light bulbs and luminaires: it guarantees maximum efficiency, quality and compliance.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs are commonly used in table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, chandeliers, ceiling lamps, cabinet lighting, outdoor lamps (free-standing or wall-mounted). First generation lamps cannot be used in devices with photocells or dimmers, but there are new generation lamps specially designed for this purpose.
Step 2. Fluorescent lamps
These lamps save energy and are versatile in use. Energy saving fluorescent lamps consume 20-40% less energy than standard incandescent lamps and last 20 times longer (assuming a stable voltage). They come in different shapes and serve different purposes. Threaded lamps can be used in place of incandescent lamps in standard sockets. The warmth and softness of the light of modern fluorescent lamps is improved.
Fluorescent bulbs are commonly used in table lamps, floor lamps, cabinet lighting, sconces, chandeliers, ceiling lights, outdoor lamps (free-standing or wall-mounted)
Step 3. Halogen lamps
Many modern lighting fixtures use halogen bulbs. They shine whiter light and provide more light (lumens) per watt of power than standard incandescent bulbs. In color, they are closest to the spectrum of sunlight. Their small size and light intensity make them suitable for spot lighting.
- Low voltage halogen lamps provide narrow, directional beams of light, and therefore are used to effectively illuminate works of art, sculptures, architectural details and the like. Low voltage bulbs of 12-24 volts require a transformer.
- Halogen bulbs get hotter than other types of bulbs and therefore require more care. Make sure the halogen lamp is cool before touching it. Do not handle such lamps with bare hands, only with a clean cloth, as sebum can overheat the lamp, which will significantly reduce its service life. The base of such lamps, as a rule, is a pin: GU5.3, GU10, G6.35, G9.
- Halogen lamps are most commonly used in table lamps, floor lamps, cabinet lighting, sconces, chandeliers, ceiling lamps, directional lamps, for direct ceiling mounting, spot lighting, landscape lighting, walkway lighting and architecture.
Step 4. Incandescent lamps
Incandescent bulbs are by far the most common, inexpensive, and sold everywhere. The power of these lamps ranges from 15 to 150 W, they shine with a soft yellow-white light, but are also found in other shades, from pinkish to bluish. They are transparent, opaque or colored.
- Standard incandescent bulbs generate light when an incandescent filament is heated by an electric current inside a glass envelope. Incandescent lamps provide general lighting and are often used as floor or spot lighting.
- Incandescent bulbs are well suited for standard residential lighting and higher wattage for workplace lighting. When using incandescent lamps, make sure that their wattage never exceeds the maximum wattage allowed for your luminaire! Examples: E27, E14.
- Incandescent lamps are commonly used in decorative and work table lamps, floor lamps, lightning flashlights, work lamps with magnifying glass, to illuminate shop windows and dressing tables, in wall lamps, swivel and ceiling lamps, chandeliers, pendant, wall and freestanding lamps, illumination of paths and landscape.
- Incandescent bulbs are being phased out and replaced by more economical options. Some countries stop producing them altogether, while others set higher energy saving standards.
Step 5. PAR lamps
Select PAR lamps for dimming. PAR stands for Parabolic Aluminum Reflector. A PAR lamp can be incandescent, halogen or gas discharge and combines a lamp, reflector and glass diffuser in one housing. PAR lamps work by an internal reflector and a prism in the lens, behind which there is a beam of light. These lamps provide a directional beam of light, they are very bright and can be used where the light level requires precise control.
Halogen PAR lamps have a mirrored reflector. Such lamps are often used for directional and spot lighting
Step 6. Xenon lamps
Choose such a lamp if you need to illuminate the road. Xenon lamps contain the rare gas xenon. These lamps are known for their long service life of up to 10,000 hours. The xenon lamp can be touched with a bare hand, unlike the halogen lamp, and is used in car headlights as well as to illuminate paths.
Festoon lamps have a unique shape and are usually low voltage lamps. They are transparent or opaque. When using these lamps for work or indirect lighting (under cabinets and shelves, above or inside cabinets), opaque lamps are best. However, if these lamps are used for spot lighting to illuminate individual objects that should sparkle (jewelry, porcelain, crystal), it is recommended to use transparent lamps
Step 7. LED lamps
LEDs are small electronic devices that glow when electricity is passed through them. LEDs are characterized by increased energy efficiency and a very long service life. They are red, green, blue, or white. LED bulbs can be used almost anywhere. They are commonly used as overhead lighting, table lamps, outdoor pendant lights, landscape lighting, walkway lighting and architecture.
LED lamps have appeared on the market relatively recently, but they have great potential. Their sales are projected to grow from $ 2 billion to $ 25 billion over the ten years from 2014 to 2023, an annual growth rate of 25%
Step 8. Special lamps for special functions
In addition to conventional lamps, there are also special-purpose lamps.
- Black light lamps are fluorescent lamps that emit invisible ultraviolet light. They are used, in particular, in forensics and dermatology.
- Infrared lamps are incandescent lamps used to raise the temperature in a specific area. They are most commonly used in the food industry and outdoors.
- Krypton lamps are lamps that use krypton gas instead of argon.
- Silicone and Teflon coated shockproof lamps - They have a protective coating that protects them from destruction and damage. They come in different types.
- Full Spectrum Daylight Lamps - Designed to reproduce natural light and are considered to be beneficial to your health, they help fight stress, depression and headaches. These bulbs are used in table lamps and floor lamps.
- Germicidal lamps - they use ultraviolet technology to disinfect without the use of chemicals. When using them, nothing additional is required for disinfection, which makes them simple, economical and convenient to use.
Step 9. Electronically stimulated luminescence lamps (ESL, ESL)
This is a new technology with the potential to offer an energy efficient alternative to unsafe fluorescent lamps or expensive LED lamps in the future. The R30 ESL is designed to replace the 65 watt incandescent bulbs commonly used in ceiling recessed luminaires, especially in public buildings.
The R30 lamp provides uniform illumination almost indistinguishable from the incandescent lamp it replaces. The high power factor results in less overall load compared to competing CFLs. This light bulb produces light for approximately 10,000 hours without any significant color change. The price of such a lamp is expected to be around US $ 15–20. The period of testing and trial production of such lamps dragged on, but in the future they are still planned to be released into mass production
Part 3 of 3: Find the Right Lamp for Your Fixture
Step 1. Choose a lamp for your floor or table lamp
For a floor lamp or a large table lamp, there are several options for possible light bulbs. You can use an incandescent lamp or a fluorescent spiral lamp or an A-shaped lamp. Choose a lamp with a warm light as it is more pleasing to the eyes.
Step 2. Find a pendant light bulb
As in pendant luminaires, the lamp is directed downward and part of it is visible, your choice is limited. You can start by looking for a traditional or ball shaped light bulb that gives off warm light. Many people choose fluorescent or LED lamps.
Step 3. Choose a lamp for your ceiling light
Ceiling lights are usually covered and no bulbs are visible, allowing for more choice. Choose a lamp with a long life so you don't have to change it often. Light temperatures can be selected depending on what kind of atmosphere you want to create in the room. Any type of lamp will work for a ceiling light (as long as it is compatible with it), but try to choose an energy efficient one if possible.
Step 4. Find a wall sconce light bulb
Sconces are generally not very large in size and are often decorative in nature, which means that the light bulb must be small enough to fit inside. Choose a tube or candle lamp that is narrow enough to fit into your sconce. The most commonly used are compact fluorescent bulbs and incandescent bulbs.
Step 5. Select a lamp for your recessed light
Because these lamps are located too close to other objects, they are not well ventilated and pose the greatest risk of fire. Your main goal is to select a lamp that does not exceed the maximum wattage for your fixture. Most people opt for halogen, compact fluorescent or incandescent lamps for recessed ceiling or cabinet fixtures.
Step 6. Find a lamp for your street light
If your lighting fixture is exposed to weather conditions, you will need to purchase a special lamp suitable for outdoor use that will not be affected by it. Choose a spiral or tube light bulb with a bright white light. LED bulbs are popular choices, as are halogen and incandescent bulbs. Keep in mind that you need to buy a special lamp if you have an appliance that uses photocells or a timer. Ask about these bulbs at an electrical store.