A room-by-room guide on how to choose the right LED light bulb
The screw-type incandescent light bulbs has been phasing out over the years due to its high power usage and inefficiency. However, standard light bulbs are still available for sale 100 watt, 75 watt, 60 watt, and 40 watts.
What’s replacing low-efficient bulbs?
Compact Fluorescent light bulb and Light Emitting Diode bulbs (LED). These are bright, use 75% to 80% less energy, and can save you money compared to traditional 60 watt incandescent bulb especially for homes with a lot of rooms and lighting.
But this efficiency does come at an initial cost upfront. LEDs are very expensive, up to $60.00 a bulb for some floodlights. Even in that price, these LEDs can still save you about $170.00 over a life time compared with similar incandescent. Increased completion is helping to lower bulb prices.
Family or Living room
Getting the lighting in these rooms just right can be complicated when it needs to fit the various activities done in these rooms. Standard ceiling fixtures and recessed or track light forms part of the general lighting. Table and floor lamps deliver task and accent light. If your recessed lights or track heads are adjustable, they also can be used to accent art or concentrate light in a specific area. Aim accent and task lights away from any shiny surfaces, such as TV screens and glass framed artwork to prevent reflected glare. Used frequently, LED lights can save and survive while CFL lighting has a short life when used for On/off cycling.
Kitchen and Dinning
A centrally placed ceiling fixture or recessed lights usually make up general lighting here, enhanced by under cabinet lighting. A fixture or two over the island and the table enhance general lighting, and dimming lets you switch between mood lighting from homework to dining. If you have recess lighting, the color of the cans interior, which surrounds the bulb, affects light output and light color. A shiny metal reflector casts the most light but amplify glare. A black interior trim down glare but absorbs light, so you might need a brighter bulb.
Bathrooms
Task lighting is delicate in the bathroom. Cool light is often recommended, but it can distort colors when applying makeup. So you may have to choose one over the other as lights over the sink can radiate unpleasant shadows on your face. Lights on either side of the mirror or medicine cabinet are better. Recessed lights designed for wet area are fine over the shower area too.
Bedrooms
Relaxation and romance are the main recipe here. Dimmers and warm lighting can help, so look for bulbs in the 2700 to 2900 Kelvin (k) range. For reading lamps or fixtures, position those higher than the bed to make the most of shadows.
Outdoors
Safety, security, and ambience are important considerations here, but you’ll also need to consider the local environment. Cold temperature doesn’t affect LEDs and you should use floodlights or spotlights on the roof space or on the ground to illuminate dark areas for added security. Bulbs in the 2700 to 3000 Kelvin range emit a warm light that’s flattering to warm colored exteriors, and cooler light 3500K or higher complements grays and can appear brighter. Motion sensosr or a photocell that turns the light on at dusk and off at dawn also helps to save energy.
Types of LED Bulbs:
A-Shape (“Arbitrary”) A19 or general service bulbs are light bulbs we are all most familiar with its shape. It is the most universal version, so much so that this is likely to be the first form of shape you think of when someone says “light bulb”.
MultiFaceted Reflector (MR)16 lamps are directional lighting of low to medium intensity, such as desk lamps, ceiling lights, track lighting, pendant fixtures, retail display lightning, landscape lighting. It is used in place of standard incandescent light bulbs for applications such as residential lighting and retail lighting.
Candle light LED bulbs are referred to as candelabra or torpedo light bulbs. LED replacements allow you to use a fraction of the power as the incandescent light uses while still maintaining a great lighting atmosphere. This led bulb is replacements for chandeliers.
Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) bulbs adjust light more accurately. One of the best LED light bulbs due to its directional nature. It has similar output and beam characteristics.
LED Tube is a good replacement for your old fluorescent T8, T10 or T12 lamps to a better, more efficient LED technology. They are bright and silent (no ballast buzzing), with instant lighting capabilities.
How to select LED Light Bulbs
1. Select Shape
• Spotlights for track lighting
• Floods for outdoor and recessed lights
• LED candles for wall sconces and decorative fixtures
• A-line bulbs for room lighting and lamps
2. Choose Brightness and Energy Efficiency
• Look for bulbs with high lumens and low wattage for the best energy cost savings
• Divide the lumens by the wattage to determine the best brightness-to-energy usage ratio
3. Choose Color Temperature
• Soft light for indoor applications and small areas
• Bright light for outdoor lighting and indoor task lighting e.g. kitchen areas
4. Match Fixture Base
• Screw-in bases include miniature candelabra, candelabra, intermediate and medium
• Pin bases typically have two pins, such as those used for many halogen lights
Properties of LEDs
• Doesn’t contain Mercury and Brightens instantly.
• Many are dimmable.
• Many works with photocells and timers; some work with motion sensors.
• Some can’t cast light in all directions.
• May be bigger or heavier than other types of bulbs.
• Claimed life span ranges from 18 to 46 years at 3 hours per day.
Handy Tips:
Higher Kelvin (K) number = cooler light
• 2700K = warm yellow
• 3000K = white
• 3500 to 4100K = bright white
• 5000 to 6500K = bluer white
Lumens = brightness
• 450+ = brightness of 40-watt bulb
• 800+ = 60-watt
• 1Article Submission,100+ = 75-watt
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