Warm Light Bulbs vs Cool Light Bulbs In Spring TX: Which is Best?

From time to time, you will need to replace light bulbs in your home, and when that happens, you may find yourself wondering which light bulbs would be the best to buy. Often, people just consider the wattage of the bulb, but in doing so they could be missing out in the perfect bulb. The color temperature of the light bulbs you choose can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel in a room.

The color of the lights you install matters on several levels. Each color has a different function, so picking the right bulb for each room is a simple decision that can greatly improve the atmosphere of that room.

How Light Bulb Ratings Work

Every type of light bulb serves a different purpose. The base style and the wattage both matter and they also come in different brightness levels, as well as different temperatures. Picking the right bulb may seem tricky when you are presented with an array of options.

Lumens

How bright a bulb will be is described by the lumen rating. More lumens mean a brighter bulb. It is possible for a bulb to be too bright for the intended use. Pick a bulb that matches the size of the room, the position of the lamp or light fitting, and the color of the wall, so that you can see clearly without being dazzled.

Wattage

The watts of a bulb describes how much power the bulb will consume. For an LED bulb the most important thing is lumens, not watts. Incandescent bulbs will consume far more electricity than similar brightness LED bulbs. So, if you are looking to swap out, say, a 60W incandescent bulb you would need to replace it with a 12W LED bulb in order to get a similar level of brightness or lumens.

Color Temperature

Brightness is just one factor. The color temperature of the bulb, in Kelvins, is also important. The most common colors have a descriptive name as well as a Kelvin rating to make it easier to understand.

The most common temperatures are:

– Soft White – 2,700K to 3,000K – this is the kind of warm yellow that you may remember from old incandescent bulbs. it is cozy and comfortable and is often used in living rooms and bedrooms.

– Warm White – 3,000K to 4,000K – This is best suited for the bathroom or kitchen, it is slightly yellower and slightly harsher, but ‘feels’ very bright.

– Bright White – 4,000K to 5,000K – this is a color that is between white and blue. It is good for workspaces and for kitchens that have a lot of chrome in them. It is less cozy but is quite energizing.

– Daylight – 5,000K to 6,000K – this is much bluer, and is good for maximizing the contrast of different colors. This makes it good for working, putting on makeup, or reading.

You should consider the planned use of a room when you are buying bulbs.

Consider Using Smart Bulbs

Smart bulbs are a good option if you are not sure what type of bulb you want. For example, you can have the bulb set to daylight for reading, and then something softer or warmer at night. This allows you to use one room for several different purposes while not sacrificing comfort.

Brothers Lighting focuses on commercial service, repair & maintenance. As a full-service lighting and electrical maintenance company, we are able to offer a variety of solutions to best meet your needs. Feel free to contact us or call us today if you have a piece of questions!