Replacing your burnt-out light bulbs has become a more confusing task of late, not just because of recent legislation that means some products will no longer be available, but because of the dizzying array of new products on store shelves. Below is a guide to help you find the right bulb for the job.
- Watts: It may surprise some to learn that watts don’t refer to a bulb’s brightness, but to it’s energy use. The lower the watts, the less energy the bulb consumes, and the cheaper it is to use.
- Lumens: Lumens measure the amount of light output – the higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb. Being able to compare the lumens (brightness) of bulbs of the same wattage (energy consumption) is very handle for determining which bulb is more efficient.
- Color Temperature: Despite being measured in Kelvins (K), color temperature refers not to heat but to light appearance. At the bottom of the scale (2,700K to 3,000K) is “warm” or “soft” light, that yellowish glow we associate with traditional incandescent; in the middle of the scale (3,500K-4,100K) is “cool” or “bright” light; and closer to the top of the scale (5,000K-6,500K) is”daylight”, that bluish light that’s been a source of complaint for many CFL and LED light bulb purchasers.
- ENERGY STAR: Light bulbs bearing the ENERGY STAR logo have met strict, third-party tested and certified standards of energy efficiency; as a result, they use 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
As incandescent light bulbs disappear from stores, let’s look at the three basic types of bulbs you’ll have to choose from for your indoor lighting needs:
- Halogen: These bulbs are as close as you’ll get to traditional incandescent’s. They look the same, offer comparable light quality, are dimmer-compatible, and produce light the same way. Unlike incandescent’s, they use halogen gas (which isn’t hazardous), making them slightly more energy-efficient. Costing more and lasting longer than incandescent’s, halogens are a suitable choice for ambient, general lighting. Just don’t touch their glass and be warned that they get very hot.
- CFL: Compact fluorescent light bulbs are a significant step up from halogens in terms of cost, energy efficiency, and lifespan. Their life is shortened by frequent on/off switching, though, so they’re best used where they can be left on at length. Common complaints – the bluish hue, long warm-up time, and lock of dimmer-compatibility – are being addressed by manufacturers. Containing a small amount of mercury, CFLs require special cleanup and disposal methods.
- LED: Slightly more energy-efficient and significantly more costly than CFLs, light-emitting diode bulbs are much, much longer lasting, making them far and away the most cost-effective option. Unlike halogens and CFLs, however, LEDs are unidirectional, meaning they cast light in only one direction; as such, they’re best used where bright, focused (or task) lighting is needed, While LEDs are dimmable, many bulbs are compatible only with certain dimmers.