Tips on Buying a Light Bulb

Buying a light bulb can leave us floundering in the dark. It is no longer the no brainer it used to be. In fact it is considered a brain teaser. The wide array of products stems from the advent of the energy saving bulbs. It has long been believed that the brightness of a bulb is reflected in its wattage; actually the amount of light a bulb generates is measured in lumens. With so many different types of bulbs in the market and various life spans now on the market we are confused as to which one to buy.

Recessed lighting bulbs online are very popular and look extremely discreet.

The Major Bulb Standards are :

Standard Incandescent – They give off warm yellowish white light that floods many households. They are highly inefficient losing90% of their energy to heat. Major manufacturers have stopped producing the most common varieties

Halogen Incandescent - contrary to some reports incandescent bulbs have not been banned. Manufacturers have added halogen gas to incandescent bulbs to make them burn more efficiently. Halogen incandescent use 28 percent less energy than traditional incandescent while giving off the same amount of light. Their life span is the same as the standard incandescent-one year.

Compact Fluorescents – CFLs have come a long way since their becoming widely available in 1990’s. There has been a marked improvement in the color of the light. Some bulbs can be dimmed and the prices have dropped considerably. About 75% less energy is used than incandescent lights and the life span is about nine years. However they do contain small amounts of mercury and need to be disposed off carefully.

LEDs - Currently LEDs make up less than 1 % of the domestic market. With prices dropping dramatically, adoption rates are expected to soar. LEDs use About 80% less energy than incandescent and have a life span of over 20 years. The dimming function of the LEDs makes it very popular. Costs remain prohibitive and are the biggest obstacle to wider use. The 60 watt equivalent LED bulbs are selling for less than $10, but the price for the higher wattage bulbs of the same category are at least twice that.

Pendant lighting for bathrooms adds a creative touch. Pendants provide a fresh alternative to sconces. Pendant lights around a vanity are usually used in contemporary bathroom designs and are rare in the traditional setting.

Pendant fixtures with colored or diffused glass are not an efficient light source in baths where people shave or apply makeup. Pendants should hang on either side of a mirror. Pendants are popular in the bathroom because they free up the walls for mirrors and fixtures. Pendants should ideally be part of a layering plan that includes accent lights, recessed lights and natural light.