What You Need to Consider When Buying Light Bulbs

Lighting can make or break your home’s appearance and feel. Too bright of lighting can make your home feel like a hospital room, while too dark of lighting can make it feel like a dungeon. And the key to perfect lighting starts with what light bulbs you chose. To create the best atmosphere in your home, here’s what you need to consider when buying light bulbs.

Not All Bulbs are Equal

When it comes to energy efficiency, incandescent bulbs are the least efficient route you can go. A step above them are halogen bulbs which use about 30% less energy. Next are CFLs which use up to 70% less energy, and LED bulbs are at the top, using up to 1/30th of the energy that incandescent bulbs do.

Lumens are Different Than Watts

You’re probably used to comparing the wattage, but are you aware that number just indicates how much energy the bulb draws? If not, it’s ok — most people aren’t. If you’re trying to determine the brightness of the bulb, look at the lumens, especially when picking LED bulbs.

Different Bulbs Provide Different Colors

Incandescent bulbs typically give off a warm, yellow light. LED bulbs come in a range of colors, the most popular being “soft white,” and “bright white.” Soft white gives off a yellowish hue, while bright white gives off a whiter light, similar to that of retail stores.

Incandescent

These go back to the creation of light bulbs, literally. Incandescent bulbs are the same shape that Edison invented them in. They give off a warm yellow-white light, and their appeal lies in their initial low cost.

However, they burn out quickly, typically within a thousand hours, and end up costing more since they need to be replaced more often. They also use more energy to burn, running up your energy bill each month.

High-Intensity Discharge

These bulbs are more narrow and highly-efficient, lasting longer than traditional bulbs. However, they give off a harsher, sun-like light, deterring some homeowners from using them. Therefore, these lightbulbs are more used for outdoor fixtures, such as security lights.

Fluorescent

These are spiral-shaped bulbs that are highly efficient and tend to last around 10,000 hours. They give off a warm light — either more yellowish or white, depending on the make of the bulb — and typically only cost a few dollars per bulb. It’s important to note, however, that these bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, so they need to be discarded in a special way.

LED

LED light bulbs are the most energy-efficient bulbs on the market. They use very little energy, create a lot of light, and last a long time. Since they only suffer from 5% energy loss (through heat) they can help lower your energy bills in the long-term and, although they cost a little more initially, they don’t require as much replacing so they save you money that way as well.

Don’t Just Look at Initial Costs

While incandescent bulbs are cheaper to buy upfront, they use more energy and burn out quicker, making them more expensive in the long run. LED bulbs may be more expensive to purchase, but they last longer and are more energy-efficient, saving you money down the line.

When it comes to setting the perfect lighting in your home, you need Ace Solves It All. We are electrical experts in the Orlando, FL area who tackle indoor lighting jobs of all sizes. Our team will help you find the best indoor lighting solutions that will make your house more beautiful, more convenient, more of anything you want! For more information or to schedule a service, call us at (407) 499-8006.