If you are still using old incandescent light bulbs in your home, it may be time to think about replacing them. This bulb style is slowly being phased out as it is not very energy efficient when compared to other varieties.
Choosing the Best Bulb
The following list describes each bulb and where it would work best in your home:
- Halogen. These lights are ideal for home offices, craft rooms, or for any other room where you will be doing work. They create a bright light that is also perfect for displaying art pieces.
- LED (Light-emitting diode). This bulb style can be used outside the home for landscape or holiday lighting, or indoors for under cabinet or stairway lighting. Traditional “style” bulbs are also available.
- CFL (Compact fluorescent). These bulbs are replacing the old-fashioned incandescent bulbs and are often used in table or floor lamps.
- Fluorescent. This light should be used in laundry rooms, closets, garages, or basements. They create ample light for rooms that you don’t use as often as others.
Reading the Labels
The Federal Trade Commission requires light bulb manufacturers to include a label on their products which provides information about the lumens a bulb produces. Basically, the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light is going to be.
The label will also describe the appearance of the light. The following styles are available for you to pick from: warm and inviting, neutral, bright, or daylight. Keep in mind that each style may be different from brand to brand. For example, soft light in brand A might be much brighter or dimmer than a soft light in brand B. You will need to compare the Kelvin numbers of each style. These are the numbers followed by a “K” on the label.
The amount of energy used by the bulb will be printed on the label with a watt measurement. The lower the wattage, the less energy the bulb uses to light up your home. The higher the number, the more energy it will use. Also, be sure that you are using a light bulb with wattage that is compatible for use in your lamp or light sockets.
These tips will help you to choose the best light bulb style for your home’s needs.