When it comes to choosing bulbs and lights for your house there are a few things you need to take into consideration. First of all, how much energy they use. This is very important for your electric bill and the environment.
But it also matters how much light and what kind of light the bulb provides. Not many people know what different types of bulbs are available but one popular type of bulb is the daylight bulb, which is amazing.
The daylight bulb is a very bright light that you have probably used before without realizing it. It is similar to other types of light bulbs which is why we are going to compare each of them so you know what to look for.
What Is A Daylight Bulb?
A daylight bulb is a type of bulb that tries to mimic what natural light is given off during the day by the sun. It is perfect for a room where you want natural light but can’t have it. Like in a basement for example.
They offer a fairly bright light but it isn’t unnaturally bright. If you only choose one type of light, a daylight bulb is probably the most pleasant. Because natural light will always offer the most light and still be comfortable.
But it can use more watts because it is brighter and cooler. That said, it all depends on the type of bulb not just the type of light. The type of bulb can be classified in many ways which we will go over soon.
Soft White Vs Daylight
When you hear daylight you probably think of natural light. But daylight can also be a classification of bulb brightness. The same can be said for soft white bulbs. Neither have a specific scale they need to follow.
They can both be used fairly loosely but generally describe two different types of light. A soft white bulb will be soft and cozy. It is perfect for a living room or dining room where you want the lights to be inviting and low.
They won’t be extra bright but they also won’t be super cool or super warm. They stand in the middle of brightness and with temperature. Soft whites are a safe choice and usually don’t use much energy.
Bright White Vs Daylight
Bright white bulbs are actually less powerful than daylight bulbs. They usually come with a white bulb and offer a whiter light that is cooler rather than warm and hot. They don’t give off as much heat as the others.
That’s why they are often called cool lights. They are a perfect middle ground when it comes to brightness compared to soft white and daylight bulbs. But where do they stand on other scales compared to the others?
Bright whites are in the middle as far as kelvins are concerned, leaning more towards cooler most of the time. They are indeed bright but not as cool as daylight lights which have the highest amount of kelvins.
What Are Lumens?
Lumens are an official way to measure how much light something gives off. Lumens measure brightness even though wattage and kelvins do not. This is the only true modern-day unit that measures brightness alone.
If you used to buy incandescent bulbs and want to make the switch, then consider this. Take the wattage of the bulb you used to get and multiply it by 10 to 15. You can use either and find the closest match.
For example, if your bulb was 100 watts, then you want something between 1000 and 1500 lumens. But a 1600 lumen will do. This method works almost every time to get a similar brightness with a new bulb.
What Are Kelvins?
A kelvin is a unit of measurement used to measure light. Although measured in degrees, kelvins are not directly related to Celsius and Fahrenheit when used to measure color temperature from a light source.
There are three main color temperatures for light bulbs. Soft White (2700K – 3000K), Bright White/Cool White (3500K – 4100K), and Daylight (5000K – 6500K). The more Kelvins, the cooler and the whiter the color temperature.
Those with low kelvins are warm in color and heat. For example, if kelvin measures wallpaper, those that were red and orange would have low kelvin counts and blue and green ones would have high kelvin counts.
What Is Wattage?
Wattage doesn’t measure light but the amount of electricity or power a unit omits. This unit we are referring to would be light bulbs. In other cases, it would be used to measure appliances and electric outlets.
In short, though, wattage measured speed. It measures the power that is produced or used per second. So a 60-watt light bulb uses 60 joules per second. Joules is a unit of power used to measure electricity and more.
A joule is, “the SI unit of work or energy, equal to the work done by a force of one newton when its point of application moves one meter in the direction of action of the force, equivalent to one 3600th of a watt-hour.”
Incandescent Lights
Incandescent lights are lights that are going out of style fast. This is because incandescent bulbs are quite horrible at being energy efficient, especially compared to newer models that keep that a priority.
The bulb uses a wire filament that is heated until it glows. But they convert less than 1/20th of the energy they consume into visible light. Most of it is lost as heat which you pay for without getting any light.
So in truth, incandescent bulbs are probably the worst type you can use. Edison was a genius because he did create the first commercially practical incandescent light. But today, they should not be used.
Fluorescent Lights
Fluorescent lights glow in a way that makes them easily recognizable. But not many people actually know what fluorescent lights are. Fluorescent lights are a specific type of gas-charged light that is created by a chemical reaction.
It mixes gasses and mercury vapor to create a UV light inside of a glass tube. This creates bright white light with a specific style. They are often seen in spiral bulbs and considered daylight bulbs with 5000k.
They also come in long tubes which are often used in kitchens in dining rooms. The lights allow those cooking and eating to get the right amount of light without using as much energy as the lights previously used.
Black Lights
Who hasn’t dreamed of having black lights as a kid? They make light colors light up in the dark and make for a fun thing to party with, right? But do you know what a black light actually is or how it is made?
Blacklights can be used for medical reasons but have also been known to cause indirect medical problems. But that’s the way that some blacklights are produced. The base of each blacklight is what is the same.
Black lights keep the room dark and let off very little light. The light that you do see is ultraviolet, made with phosphors and UV lights much like fluorescent lights and incandescent lights are made.
Smart Light Bulb
A smart bulb is an LED light bulb that can be customized via an app or a voice AI like Alexa. The bulb can usually be wi-fi and Bluetooth integrated, connecting to your smartphone and other smart devices.
They usually work via an app that lets you customize settings manually or where you set up a schedule. For example, you can turn it off after a certain time or change the color of the bulb regularly.
But the primary reason for using one is to allow you to remotely adjust the bulb. This can save so much energy because you can turn it off even if you are not at home! Smart devices are the present and future!
Light Bulbs And Design Style
Now, this may not be something you’ve thought of but certain bulbs can affect your design and aesthetics. There are many ways to go about matching your bulb to your room, but one way is the easiest.
Find a bulb that is cool or high in kelvins if your room has mostly cool colors. Then find one that is low in kelvins and is low, warm lights if you have primarily warm colors in your room. It can be as simple as that.
Finding The Right Bulb
When it comes to picking out the right bulb for you, there are a few things to consider. The cost, the energy efficiency, and the brightness. The units of measurements can help with all of this, so use them all.
Since most bulbs look the same from the outside, the looks aren’t the problem. Besides, you can get an Edison bulb, a spiral bulb, and a classic bulb with almost any lumen, wattage, or Kelvin. They make them all.
So do your best to get a good electrical bill and get the right type of light for your room. If you like daylight bulbs then those are for you. But if you want something alluring yet soft, soft whites are perfect!
The post Soft White Vs. Daylight: Which Is More Energy-Efficient? appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.
0 Commentaires