Buying
a light bulb can leave us floundering in the dark. It is no longer
the no brainer it used to be. In fact it is considered a brain
teaser. The wide array of products stems from the advent of the
energy saving bulbs. It has long been believed that the brightness
of a bulb is reflected in its wattage; actually the amount of light a
bulb generates is measured in lumens. With so many different types of
bulbs in the market and various life spans now on the market we are
confused as to which one to buy.
Recessed lighting bulbs online are very popular and look extremely discreet.
The
Major Bulb Standards are :
Standard
Incandescent – They give off warm yellowish white light that
floods many households. They are highly inefficient losing90% of
their energy to heat. Major manufacturers have stopped producing the
most common varieties
Halogen
Incandescent - contrary to some reports incandescent bulbs have
not been banned. Manufacturers have added halogen gas to incandescent
bulbs to make them burn more efficiently. Halogen incandescent use 28
percent less energy than traditional incandescent while giving off
the same amount of light. Their life span is the same as the standard
incandescent-one year.
Compact
Fluorescents – CFLs have come a long way since their becoming
widely available in 1990’s. There has been a marked improvement in
the color of the light. Some bulbs can be dimmed and the prices have
dropped considerably. About 75% less energy is used than incandescent
lights and the life span is about nine years. However they do contain
small amounts of mercury and need to be disposed off carefully.
LEDs
- Currently LEDs make up less than 1 % of the domestic market. With
prices dropping dramatically, adoption rates are expected to soar.
LEDs use About 80% less energy than incandescent and have a life
span of over 20 years. The dimming function of the LEDs makes it very
popular. Costs remain prohibitive and are the biggest obstacle to
wider use. The 60 watt equivalent LED bulbs are selling for less than
$10, but the price for the higher wattage bulbs of the same category
are at least twice that.
Pendant lighting for bathrooms adds a creative touch. Pendants provide a
fresh alternative to sconces. Pendant lights around a vanity are
usually used in contemporary bathroom designs and are rare in the
traditional setting.
Pendant
fixtures with colored or diffused glass are not an efficient light
source in baths where people shave or apply makeup. Pendants should
hang on either side of a mirror. Pendants are popular in the bathroom
because they free up the walls for mirrors and fixtures. Pendants
should ideally be part of a layering plan that includes accent
lights, recessed lights and natural light.
