Tips for choosing the best lighting option for your home

Do you have a dark and drab feeling in your home? Many of us don't think much about home lighting, but choosing the best light bulbs for your home can improve the ambiance, save money on your electric bills, and even increase your productivity. Knowing how to choose light bulbs that will work best in a given spot can be difficult if you are confused with your options.

Light Bulb Performance

The brightness and color of a light bulb may change the appearance of a room and even your mood while you're in it. As a result, buying an entire case of the same light bulb and installing them around your home is not a smart idea. When buying light bulbs for each room in your house, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Color Rendering Index

The color rendering index is a metric that is frequently employed with CFL bulbs (CRI.) When compared to how an object's color looks in ideal or natural lighting, the CRI relates to how an object's color appears under the bulb's light. A greater number suggests a more accurate color depiction. The CRI rating of incandescent bulbs is normally 100, which is the maximum achievable number. Florescent lighting normally has a range of 50 to 98, whereas LEDs have a range of 80 to 98. A CRI of 80 or greater is good, but higher values may be desirable in situations where realistic color rendition is important, such as bathroom vanity areas or home art studios.

• Temperature

The term "color temperature" is used on light bulb labels nowadays, and it is measured in Kelvins. Lower temperatures indicate warmer tones. Light color measurement of 2700K to 3000K corresponds to the warm yellow or white tones of incandescent light bulbs, whereas a 4000K bulb provides pure white light. 5000K bulbs generate a cool tone that replicates daylight and are the ideal light bulbs for natural light.

• Brightness

The brightness of a light is measured in lumens, while the amount of energy required to generate a certain lumen level is measured in watts. Standard incandescent bulbs typically vary from 40-watt bulbs with 450 lumens to 100-watt bulbs with 1,600 lumens. Choose higher lumen light bulbs for places that demand more light, such as kitchens or home offices. Low-light areas, such as corridors or closets, may only require bulbs with a lumen output of 450 to 800.

Types of Light Bulbs

There are three types of bulbs on the market today: halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, and LEDs. Light quality is now fairly consistent across all three types, but cost and energy efficiency varies greatly.

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) work in the same way as those long fluorescent tube lights you see in classrooms and stores, but they are compactly coiled to fit in standard light fixtures. CFLs that are Energy Star-rated use roughly one-third the energy of halogen incandescent bulbs while producing the same amount of light, and they can last up to 8-10 times longer. CFLs generate heat, and their lifespan may be reduced when used in glass or globe fixtures due to insufficient ventilation. When they are turned on and off frequently, their lifespan is also reduced, and you may notice flickering or a slight lag each time they are turned on.

CFLs have a bad reputation for emitting harsh light, but newer versions come in cool or warm (white to yellow) tones. CFLs may not work with standard dimmer switches, so check the packaging for compatibility. One word of caution: fluorescent bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury, which can be dangerous if they break. It is critical to dispose of or recycle CFL bulbs properly. 

• Incandescent bulbs have been around for over a century and were the primary choice for home lighting for the majority of the twentieth century. Halogen incandescent bulbs are available in a variety of shapes and colors today. They produce a warm, ambient light that enhances skin tones. Although they are inefficient in terms of energy consumption (less than 10% of the energy consumed is converted to visible light), they are indeed the least expensive option. Because a large portion of the energy they consume is converted to heat, they can be hot to the touch.

• LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs are the most recent light bulbs to hit the market. They are the most expensive, but also the most energy-efficient. To produce the same brightness as a standard 60-watt incandescent bulb, an LED emits little to no heat and consumes only 6-8 watts of energy. They last about six times as long as CFLs and more than 30 times as long as incandescent bulbs. LEDs are directional, as opposed to incandescent bulbs and CFLs, which emit light in all directions. LED light bulbs have a special coating to diffuse light to counteract this feature, but lower quality bulbs may appear dimmer than their counterparts.

We recommend switching to LED lighting and then watching your savings grow!

Our recommendations for your home

Choosing the ideal light bulbs for your house necessitates a room-by-room assessment. When choosing bulbs and light fixtures, keep your home's specific requirements in mind. Use LED bulbs in situations where lights are left on for extended periods to conserve electricity. To start, consider the following:

• Living Rooms/Dining Rooms

Living areas often have low to moderate illumination levels. A ceiling fan with a light kit may be suitable. For warm, gentle illumination, use bulbs with color temperatures ranging from 2,000K to 3,000K. Add desk lamps for additional reading light if necessary. Install pendant lights or a chandelier over the dining room table for an exquisite effect.

• Bedrooms

Low to moderate illumination levels work nicely in bedrooms as well. Avoid bulbs with chilly tones. Exposure to its blue light before night may make it difficult to fall asleep.

• Kitchens

In task-oriented spaces like kitchens, you'll often want stronger light (5,000 to 10,000 lumens overall). LED lamps, either above or recessed, are a smart choice, and under-cabinet lighting may make a big impact in food preparation areas.

• Home Offices

Install strong general lighting as well as task lighting in offices. Cool tones with 4000K or higher color temperatures might help you stay alert and focused.

• Bathrooms

A good choice for general lighting is moderate to bright general lighting with additional task lighting near the bathroom vanity. Keep in mind to select a bulb with a high CRI. A halogen incandescent that also functions as a warm light is one alternative for avoiding post-shower chills. Another piece of advice is to avoid using CFLs in the restroom. These lights are regularly switched on and off, causing CFLs to burn out faster than usual.

If you are still confused, call Edge. We can help you with the best Electrical Services and lightning solutions in Dubai