All You Should Know About Light Bulbs & Tubes
by ESS Ltd
When choosing a light bulb there are some rules to follow and aspects worth considering. Become an expert with our quick guide about how to choose the right light bulb and tube.
Wattage recommendation
The first thing to check while choosing a light bulb is wattage intake. Check wattage recommendation on your fixtures and always choose bulbs with same or lower wattage amount. Using a bulb with a higher wattage than recommended creates a fire hazard and can damage a fixture. Wattage shows the amount of energy that can be consumed by a bulb, however, it doesn’t reflect the brightness of the light.
Brightness and colour
The brightness of a bulb means how much light it can produce. The capacity is illustrated in lumens, the higher amount of lumens the more light produced. Smaller fixtures like table lamps and desk lamps don’t need to give much light, but while shopping for ceiling or wall lamps it’s good to pay attention to the amount of lumens. Another thing to consider is the colour of the light. The temperature of colour is measured by the Kelvin scale. Warmer colours give yellower light and have lower number on the Kelvin scale. Colder colours are more white and blue and start from 5000K. Full Spectrum Daylight bulbs are believed to be the best for offices, desk lamps and floor lamps as they reproduce natural light. Natural light helps with productivity and reduces stress. If you are not sure how to choose the right lumens and colour ask the staff at the premises for assistance.
Fitting
The most common fitting for bulbs in Europe is E27, a 27mm diameter called Edison Screw (ES). However, you can find also other diameters such as E11, E14, E26 and E40. Check beforehand on your fixture or take the old bulb with you to the store to find the right fit.
Shape
A shape of a bulb matters the most for the amount and angle of light you need. Some shapes are designed to give almost 360-degree spread while others can create a stream of light. For those who are sensible with details, consider how the bulb will look like in the fixture after switching off.
Energy efficient light bulbs
Energy efficient lights are characterized by low cost on long-term. A bulb itself doesn’t need to be cheap however, it consumes less energy over longer time, saving the money in a long run. The most energy efficient solution on a yearly budget is LED light. It has the longest lifespan with the lowest energy consumption. The highest energy bill is caused by halogen light as it needs more energy to run.
Life expectancy
Each light bulb should have specified life expectancy in the description. It’s usually measured based on 3 hours of use a day. Thanks to that you can estimate if a purchase is a good investment. The longest life expectancy of all light bulbs have LED lights, with 15 years lifespan at 3 hours per day use. Incandescent bulbs have the shortest life expectancy followed by halogens and compact fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs usually have long life expectancy however, it's shortened if the light is switched on and off frequently.
Types of bulbs
The most common types of bulbs are incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lamp, LEDs and halogens. Each type has different features and characteristics.
Incandescent bulbs are the most common light option as they are the cheapest one. However, because of it’s short lifespan and high energy usage they are being replaced with more energy efficient solutions.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs are known to be more energy efficient and save up on the energy bills. They have longer life expectancy and are meant to imitate sunlight.
LED lights are the most energy efficient and cost effective lighting solution available with the longest lifespan. LED lights can come in every colour and be used both outdoor and indoor.
Halogen lights produce more light per watt than any other bulb. They create light colour very close to natural sunlight.
Light tubes
Fluorescent tubes are cost efficient solution which gives a lot of light consuming a low amount of wattage. Fluorescent tubes are usually more expensive but thanks to its low running costs they pay for itself later on. It’s a good solution especially for working places, supermarkets, warehouses and other commercial and industrial purposes. Tubes are mostly available in three sizes, T4, T5 and T8, answering different lighting needs.
LED Tubes just like LED light bulbs have the same energy efficiency and cost saving features. Their lifespan is longer than fluorescent tubes and they save more on energy bills in the long run. However, as they are still quite new on the market, not all ballasts are compatible with them.
Indoor and outdoor lighting
Before purchase check if a bulb or tube is suitable for indoor or outdoor solutions. Some are not fit to be outdoor so make sure you choose a light which suits your needs.
Recycling
If possible, recycle your used light bulbs and tubes. Lighting fixtures are disposed of with other electrical waste. You can leave it at civic amenity sites available across the island.
This article is brought to you by Electrical Supplies & Service, a leading distributor of lighting fixtures in Malta.
ESS Ltd was founded in 2001 and ever since deliver high-quality light bulbs, tubes as well as other lighting and electrical fixtures. ESS gained trust and popularity among the Maltese, thanks to its good quality service and vast range of products offered. ESS specialises in lighting products and fixtures for domestic, commercial and industrial needs, exclusively representing many international brands on the Maltese market. Today, the company has over 20 qualified employees, ready to help and advise in case of any doubt.
Give them a call or stop by at their Mriehel premises.
