Selecting the right light bulb for your home is important. Your selection has a big impact on your home’s appeal. All light bulbs are not created equal, as each type of bulb has its advantages and disadvantages. Knowing how to properly choose the most common bulbs (incandescents, halogens, fluorescents, and LEDs) will make your home look better and be more energy efficient.
Incandescent
These light bulbs are very common. Incandescent bulbs are cheap and provide a nice color. These bulbs are psychologically pleasing because they compliment people’s skin tones. The life of these bulbs is around 1,000 hours. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and better alternatives are available.
Halogen
Halogen bulbs are similar to incandescent bulbs, but they are more efficient. These bulbs provide the closest match to natural daylight. Halogen bulbs offer sharp appearances, and can be used with a dimmer switch. These bulbs are more expensive and emit more heat. Additionally, oil residue from your hands can cause the bulb to explode, so it is important to not touch the bulb. Common uses for halogen bulbs include: pendant lights, recessed/can lights, and under-cabinet lights.
Fluorescent
Fluorescent lighting is harsh and has an unnatural color. However, there are new bulbs available that provide nicer colors. Fluorescent tubes are used for lighting large areas such as: garages, attics, lofts, basements, workshops, offices, etc. Fluorescent lights are longer lasting and more efficient than incandescent bulbs.
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)
Compact fluorescent bulbs are becoming the most popular form of lighting. This is because they are energy efficient and last a long time. CFLs use about a quarter of the energy compared to incandescent bulbs, and last about ten times as long! These bulbs have changed to be quiet, turn on instantly, and have more pleasing colors. A growing environmental concern lies in the small amounts of mercury in these bulbs, making it important to recycle them upon their replacement.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) Bulbs
LED bulbs use almost no energy and last the longest. This superiority, however, comes at a cost. The high price of these bulbs is the only reason why they are not in widespread use today. As technology improves and brings down the price of these bulbs, they will become as common as incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. The future energy savings from these bulbs will be amazing.
The art of lighting selection is finding the right balance between appearance and efficiency.