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Light Bulbs Review
What are your choices for home lighting?
With a growing need for energy efficienct products your choice
in light bulbs is greater than ever. You've already heard of CFL
bulbs (compact flourescent light bulbs) and know that these "green
bulbs" are the best choice for home lighting if you want to
reduce the cost of your electric bill and help to conserve energy.
Another choice is the old standard incandescent. Yes, there are
a lot of types of incandescent bulbs. These bulbs used to be the
#1 choice but with CFL's in the market today, now, incandescent
sales are down, CFL bulbs are going up. For most fixures in your
home,you can generally choose between a compact flourescent or an
incandescent bulb. Another bulb type you may be using is halogen.
Three Light Bulb Features Worth Understanding:
(1) Shape
Bulb shape matters and you've probably never thought much about
it. Shapes are actually standardized and coded with a specific letter
combination. One that we use all the time, is the standard pear
shaped bulb, the A series. How about the decoratively
shaped B and CA bulb series so frequently used with chandeliers.
Other bulb shapes include: globe- used in bathroom vanities; decorative;
fiesta; flame and cone.
(2) Diameter
The number that follows the bulb shape is the measurement of the
bulbs diameter (done in 1/8 inch). So a standard A -19 bulb has
a maximum diameter of 19 eighths of an inch.
(3) Base Size
Knowing your bulbs base size will help it to fit in the socket.
Measurements of base sizes is done in millimeters. So if you look
at base size you'll see the following:
- E or Edison = Screw top bulbs
- BI-PIN = bases have two contact points which protrude from the
base
- BA or Bayonet (or push-twist) are most common for European fixtures
Similiarities: CFL and Incandescent
It used to be that when you needed to replace a light bulb around
the house you thought about nothing more than wattage. You'd say
to yourself, "I need a 60 watt bulb to replace the burnt out
one in the lamp." The bulb would likely be manufactured by
Phillips Lighting Company or another manufacturer and you wouldn't
think more about it. Not today, today the compact fluorescent rivals
the incandescent, sharing a number of comparable characteristics.
Here are a few:
- 1. Both bulb types can satisfy most of your home lighting needs.
These include fixtures like: lamps, recessed lighting, bathroom
vanities, sconces, chandeliers and wall lights
- 2. Both offer dimmable bulb solutions
- 3. Both bulb types offer a range of finishes and soft white
continues to be popular
- 4. Both come in many different shapes, base sizes and diameters
Bulb Tips and Safety Standards
Halogen - If you are looking for something that is
brighter and produces a more powerful light, halogen light bulbs
are the way to go. Note: Halogen IRC & HIR are infrared energy
efficient bulbs.
Fluorescent - light bulbs do not burn as hot as
others and are more energy efficient. These last much longer than
halogen and incandescent. Note: safe handling and disposal is essential
because CFL's contain mercury.
Full spectrum - light bulbs are just regular light
bulbs that produce white light. They are not the most energy efficient
on the market.
LED light bulbs - are the small indicator
lights often found on remote controls and other sensor operated
electronics. However, watch these bulbs evolve. When these bulbs
become an accessible home lighting choice and costs come down, LEDs
will be the bulb leader. These bulbs offer a number of redeming
features. 1) They last 10 times longer than fluorescent, and have
no mercury within,
Leading Light Bulb Manufacturers:
GE
Phillips
Sylvania
EarthLED
Best Way to Buy the Right Bulb?
Whenever you need to purchase a light bulb, check the product you
are currently using or visit the manufactures guide to make sure
you purchase the correct one.
Many have different watts or powers and buying ones that are too
powerful can burn your appliance out or not work properly. Some
bulbs get very hot, and therefore cannot be used with plastics or
fabrics that could melt or catch fire. Also, handle these bulbs
carefully as they can cause serious burns.
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