The Best Light Bulb Types for Every Fixture in Your Home

Table of Contents:

Have you experienced information overload when shopping for new light bulbs? With so many new types of available bulbs, the variations between bulb types such as CFL, LED, and more can prove daunting. In addition, over the years, the light bulb section at hardware stores has grown, making it overwhelming to know what you are looking for. Here are some basics about light bulbs as you navigate to determine the best type of bulb for the fixtures in your home.

Light Bulb Terms to Know

There is terminology associated with light bulbs ranging from the amount of energy used by a light bulb to how much light it emits.

Watts: The measurement of the amount of energy the bulb uses. Lower wattage bulbs use less electricity than higher wattage bulbs and are more efficient at reducing electricity bills.

Lumens: This measures the amount of light coming from the bulb. You want a lower lumen for rooms where you prefer a softer light, such as a bedroom. For rooms where you may need brighter light, you’ll want to use a higher lumen bulb.

Here is a helpful calculation to determine how many lumens of lightbulb to use in every room. To calculate the perfect amount of lumens, multiply the room’s square footage by the following figures:

• 7.5 lumens per SF in hallways
• 15 lumens per SF in bedrooms
• 35 lumens per SF in dining rooms, kitchens, and offices
• 75 lumens per SF in bathrooms

Standard bulbs of 100-watt incandescence emit around 1600 lumens. There are newer types of bulbs, however, that require less wattage to emit the same amount of light. In that case, look at the lux measurement of the bulb, which measures how much light reaches a surface.

Types of Bulbs

When searching for the perfect light bulb, there are several types to choose from:

• Incandescent
• Fluorescent
• Compact Fluorescent
• Light Emitting Diode (LED)
• Halogen and Xenon
• Wi-Fi Capable LED Bulbs

A smarter way to buy your home.

Buy your home and get up to 1% cashback.

Book a Call

Incandescent

Incandescent bulbs are the standard type of light bulb and require the most wattage. Over the years, however, their energy efficiency has improved. The act reduced the amount of incandescent bulb energy usage by up to 27 percent, dropping them from a high that ranged from 40 to 100 watts per bulb. Today, the most common wattage of this type of bulb is found in 30,40, and 50-watt options. In addition, they last on average one year before they need to be changed. Incandescent bulbs are best when used with dimmable light fixtures, vanity lighting, and low-voltage lighting such as night lights. This type of lighting is a soft white light and is the most flattering for the complexion.

Fluorescent

Fluorescent lights are the large glass tube lights in department stores and offices. They usually come in the shape of large cylinders, but there are also u-shaped versions made for specific light fixtures. This type of light does not use nearly as much energy as incandescent bulbs, but it does contain mercury to convert the UV light it emits into visible light. The mercury makes it essential to follow regulations when disposing of the bulbs. Fluorescent lights are great for the home in workshop spaces, kitchens, or basements where you need bright light to complete a task.

Compact Fluorescent

Compact fluorescent bulbs or CFL bulbs come in a spiral shape and use a very tiny amount of watts compared to incandescent lights and fewer watts than large fluorescent lights. The spiral lights offer excellent task and reading lights but not vanity ones. They are not soft lights. They also contain mercury like other fluorescent lights, and the EPA suggests how to dispose of them. Also, these lights work well on dimmers in fixtures such as overhead lamps and ceiling lights. Equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb, the CFL emits 900 lumens of light.

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs offer the most energy efficiency of all types of light bulbs. They also have longer lifespans than other bulbs and come in various colors, including white. LED bulbs have come a long way since their inception. Initially, they could only offer directional lighting and were costly. Now, they are a great value and light up a whole room. They are a replacement for standard incandescent bulbs and work well throughout the home in overhead lights, lamps, and wall sconces.

Halogen and Xenon

Halogen bulbs fall between incandescent and CFL and LED bulbs in energy usage. They emit 25 to 80 percent less energy than incandescent but use more than CFL and LED. As a result, halogen bulbs emit bright, vibrant lighting that is the closest to daylight. However, they get very hot and should not be within reach of children when turned on. Xenon bulbs are a type of halogen bulb designed to be cooler and not as hot, making them safer for tabletop use. Typically, halogen bulbs are best for exterior floodlights, hanging pendant lights, and accent lighting. The lights emit 500 lumens and make an excellent fit for track and recessed lighting.

Wi-Fi Capable LED Bulbs

This type of bulb is a specialized light bulb that you can program from your smartphone or tablet. You can schedule and automate the light to turn on remotely and control the dimming feature. Before you purchase this light bulb, ensure the bulb is enabled for the Apple or Android device you use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best light bulb to use in your house?

Incandescent light bulbs are the traditional bulbs used in most places throughout the home. However, many choose LED lighting to replace incandescent lighting because they are more energy efficient.

What type of bulb is most commonly used in lighting?

The most common light bulb used in homes for illumination is the incandescent bulb.

Should I use daylight bulbs in the kitchen?

Daylight or halogen bulbs are best used in exterior floodlights, hanging pendant lights, and accent lighting.

What light bulbs are best for the kitchen?

The best lighting for kitchens is fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent bulbs are brighter and help where you need bright light to complete tasks.

What light bulbs are best for bedrooms?

A light bulb with a low lumen is best for bedrooms. It will emit a softer light that is better for the space. Consider an incandescent or LED light for your bedroom lamps and overhead lighting.

Why are incandescent bulbs better?

Incandescent bulbs offer a soft white light that is easy on the eyes. In addition, today’s incandescent lights use much less energy than they used to and can last up to a year before they need to be changed.

Is soft white or daylight brighter?

Daylight lights are much brighter than soft white lighting. Daylight lights are suitable for floodlights and where very bright light is needed. Soft white lighting emits fewer lumens and offers a softer light that flatters people’s appearances. Also, remember that soft white light is usually in the yellow range and is warmer. On the other hand, daylight emits a cooler tone and white light, sometimes even bluish light. Therefore, soft white lighting is best for homes, and daylight lights are suitable for commercial spaces.

Why are LED lights better?

LED lights are popular because they use the least amount of energy of any bulb and last a very long time. Therefore, they are a great value bulb used instead of incandescent bulbs.

Can you put LED bulbs in regular fixtures?

Yes, you can put LED bulbs in the same places you use incandescent bulbs, the standard bulb. LED bulbs last a very long time and can light entire rooms. However, when they were first invented, this wasn’t the case, but the technology has come a long way. LED lights are popular because they use a small amount of energy and last an extended time.

What light bulbs do designers use?

The light bulbs a designer chooses will depend entirely on the space and goal for the ambiance and functionality of the room. For example, halogen lighting brings out décor and is used by designers; however, it can get very hot, so it is not the best bulb for children.

A smarter way to buy your home.

Buy your home and get up to 1% cashback.

Book a Call

What are the five common light bulbs?

Incandescent bulbs: Incandescent bulbs are the standard light bulb used in many homes and require the most wattage. Over the years, however, their energy efficiency has improved due to a nationwide upgrade in 2012.

Fluorescent bulbs: fluorescent lights are the large glass tube lights in department stores and offices. They usually come in the shape of large cylinders, but there are also u-shaped versions made for specific light fixtures.

Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL): Compact fluorescent bulbs or CFL bulbs come in a spiral shape and use a very tiny amount of watts compared to incandescent lights and fewer watts than large fluorescent lights.

Light Emitting Diode (LED): Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs offer the most energy efficiency of all types of light bulbs. They also have longer lifespans than other bulbs and come in various colors, including white.

Wi-Fi Capable LED bulbs: This type of bulb is a specialized light bulb that you can program from your smartphone or tablet. You can set the times for your lights to come on and turn off directly from your device.

Can LED bulbs replace incandescent light bulbs?

LED bulbs happen to be an excellent replacement for incandescent light bulbs. If you buy the Wi-Fi-enabled LED bulbs, they can even be programmed to turn on, off, and dim straight from your Apple or Android smart device.

Can you use LED bulbs in an incandescent fixture?

Many people wonder whether or not you can use LED bulbs in an incandescent fixture. The answer is yes. It is possible if the LED bulb uses less wattage than your incandescent fixture.

Summary

After reading this article, spend some time in the light bulb aisle to select the best type of bulb for your fixture and room. There are so many bulbs to choose from. Why not pick the one meant for its specific and best use? The next time you go shopping and are in the lighting aisle making a buying decision, be smart with the lightbulb you choose. Use our tips to ensure the bulb matches the size and purpose of each room in your house.