When shopping for light bulbs online or in a
store, understanding some common lighting terminology you will encounter as
well as the different types of bulbs that are available is helpful.
First, you will probably notice that there seem to be a million options in
home lighting. The heat emitting bulbs to which most people are accustomed are
called incandescent light bulbs, which use heat to produce light and waste a
majority of the energy they consume in the in the process. Compact fluorescent
lights, or CFLs, are fluorescent bulbs for use in standard fixtures which
represent the home lighting version of the long used fluorescent tube lights.
CFLs are rapidly gaining a stronghold on the lighting industry due to their
significant energy conservation compared to incandescent bulbs. |
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Halogen lighting is similarly energy
efficient and produces very bright light, but the great deal of heat it produces
makes it less desirable than fluorescent bulbs for many consumers.
If you have ever purchased a light bulb, or any electrical gadget for that
matter, you have probably come across the term watts. A watt is a measurement of
electricity, or the amount of work that can be accomplished using a given amount
of electric current at a certain voltage. If you are replacing a standard
incandescent bulb and are satisfied with the intensity of the light it produced,
you can simply purchase a bulb with the same wattage. However, if you are
replacing standard incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient compact
fluorescent lighting, you will not need to purchase the same wattage as your old
bulb. Why? Fluorescent bulbs are multiple times more efficient at utilizing
electricity, and therefore require fewer watts to produce the same amount of
light as a higher wattage incandescent bulb. For instance, you can replace a 75
watt incandescent bulb with a 20 watt fluorescent bulb, and achieve the same
level of light output. The packaging of most CFLs denotes the equivalent
incandescent wattage for your reference. Bear in mind that many light fixtures
and lamps specify the maximum wattage bulb they support, and adherence to this
specification is important for your safety.
While brightness levels for different rooms are largely a matter of personal
preference, it helps to consider what level of lighting you prefer for specific
applications when purchasing light bulbs. Many consumers utilize bright lighting
in the kitchen for visibility, but dimmer ambient lighting in the living room
for the atmosphere. You can use the bulbs already in your home to determine the
appropriate wattage to purchase, either adjusting up for more brightness, down
for less or staying with the same level.
You will also notice when purchasing light bulbs that the options span a wide
range of prices. Compact fluorescent lights have a higher purchase price than
incandescent bulbs, but are probably a better value when you consider the energy
savings and longer life. Also, check to see if your utility company is offering
a rebate or other incentive for switching to fluorescent lighting, as many are.
Being educated on the pros and cons of different types of lighting that are
available will help you make an educated decision for your household.
About the
Author: About the Author: John Billington is the president and CEO of
Five Rivers Inc., a leading online provider of home lighting, bathroom lighting
and decor. For more information, please visit
www.fiverivers.com.
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