When it comes to the types of light bulbs to choose from for your home, there are a lot of options on the market. From incandescent light bulbs to CFLs to LEDs, each type of bulb has its own features and benefits. So which one is right for the light fixtures in your home? Here’s a quick look at the different types of light bulbs available and what might work best for you.
Different Light Bulb Options for Your Home
If you are considering the purchase of new light bulbs for your home, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure your light bulbs are compatible with any fixtures throughout your house. This will ensure an easy installation process. Second, consider how long each bulb type lasts before having to replace it. Some last longer than others, so if anything, try to keep extras on hand.
Let’s look at the different features to consider when purchasing lighting fixtures or light bulbs:
Color Temperature
An important detail to consider is the color of light that light bulbs emit. These colors are measured in Kelvin (K) Color Temperature Scale. The Kelvin scales range from a low warm white all the way to cool daylight. The color temperature emitted from light bulbs has different purposes, and finding the right color for a specific room can greatly improve the ambiance of the room. Colors to choose from include soft white, warm white, bright white, and cool daylight.
Lumens
The amount of light you are getting from a bulb is measured in lumens. A higher number of lumens means the light is brighter; a lower number of lumens means it’s dimmer. Generally, a bedroom will need around 10-20 lumens per square foot. A kitchen, dining room, or bathroom will need around 70-80 lumens. Nowadays, people are selecting light bulbs by lumens instead of watts.
Wattage
The energy or electricity that is used by the light bulb per hour is the wattage. A wattage rating is assigned to all light bulbs; for example, 60W or 100w. The higher the number of wattages, the more energy is used, thus the higher cost it takes to power the light bulb.
Size
Occasionally, light bulbs are also measured by the light bulb’s maximum length in inches or sometimes listed as short or long. The size of light bulbs comes in the max diameters of the bulb’s shell. The diameter is measured at ⅛ of an inch. For example, an 8 light bulb is 1 inch, and a 38 light bulb is 4.75 inches.
Shape
There are over 25 different light bulb shapes; however, there are around seven shapes widely used by homeowners. The shape code listed on the light bulb box is as follows:
- Standard Household – A
- Candle – C
- Globe – G
- Mini-Reflector – MR
- Parabolic Aluminized Reflector – PAR
- Reflector – R
- Tubular – T
Light Bulb Bases
There are a variety of different light bulb bases. Most bulbs have threaded or screw bases for installation, while others come with twist and lock bases that need to be fitted and turned until it locks into place. There are also specialty bases, bi-pin bases, fluorescent bases, and compact fluorescent plug-in lamp bases. To put it simply, the two most common types of light bulb bases are screw base and pin base.
What Are the 5 Types of Light Bulbs Used In Homes?
The right light bulb can make a world of difference in your home. There are several different light bulb types to choose from depending on the specifications of the fixture. Knowing which one is best will depend on the fixture, room, or socket. Here are several of the most common types of light bulbs:
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Standard Incandescent light bulbs are very common and easy to find. They are made in colors, wattages, shapes, and sizes. Traditional incandescent bulbs are used for table lamps, bathroom lighting, night lights, flashlights, ceiling lights, decorative lights, and more. With an incandescent bulb, electricity heats a wire filament until it glows. Incandescent light bulbs are very inefficient when it comes to energy use.
Halogen Light Bulbs
Halogen light bulbs work similarly to incandescent light bulbs, but they last longer. They are made to withstand a higher temperature. You’ll usually see halogen bulbs being used as work lights, headlamps, or outdoor spotlights and motion sensors.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Fluorescent bulbs are highly efficient, using around 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. You’ll recognize these bulbs commonly used in kitchens, offices, classrooms, stores, hallways, and cafeterias. These bulbs contain a small amount of mercury gas and must be stored and handled with care. Do not break these bulbs so the mercury is not released.
CFL Light Bulbs
CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs are small versions of fluorescent lights, and they can replace incandescent and halogen light bulbs. They are very energy efficient and compact. There are a few downsides to CFL bulbs such as a long warm-up time, limited color, dimming limitations, and they contain a minimal amount of mercury. CFLs must be handled carefully to avoid breakage and must be disposed of properly.
LED Light Bulbs
LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs are becoming more popular because of how efficient they are, often contributing to lower electricity bills. They produce bright light if needed and come in a variety of color temperatures. Also, LED bulbs do not contain mercury and have a much longer lifespan.
Smart LED Light Bulbs
In addition to all the benefits of LED light bulbs, they can contribute to your smart home automation. Here at SafeStreets, homeowners can upgrade their light bulbs to our Z-wave light bulb. Z-wave light bulbs can help lead to cost savings, and they can also help homeowners feel more secure in their home as each light can automatically turn on and off. Replace your current light bulbs with Smart LED Light Bulbs from SafeStreets to help create better security and home automation.
Automate With SafeStreets’ Smart Lights and Smart Plugs
We hope you’ve found this information helpful in choosing the types of light bulbs for your home. Your home’s system should fit the needs of your household. If you’re looking for a great way to help save money and energy in your home, then going greener with SafeStreets’ smart LED light bulbs is a great solution.
We offer a variety of home automation options, including smart LED light bulbs. In addition, connect your lights and small appliances to our Z-wave smart plugs which provide you with the ability to turn your appliances on and off remotely. Our automation experts will also help make sure your smart LED light bulbs are installed correctly and working to your specifications. Get a free quote today on your home automation system!
