Tips for selecting the right energy efficient light bulb for your home

Many know the importance of choosing the energy efficient light bulb, but do you know how to choose the right energy efficient light bulb for your home? There are a number of options to choose when it comes to selecting the right energy efficient light. You need to know the various types of energy saving bulbs available in the market, its base variants, brightness levels and which bulb suits your home the best. Let us take a look at some of the factors that one must consider while buying energy efficient light bulb.

Types of bulbs

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL): Compact fluorescent lamps commonly known as CFL’s are by far the most popular energy efficient bulbs used across the globe. CFL’s last up to six to ten times longer than traditional bulbs while offering more than 80% efficiency and power saving. CFLs are best suited for general purpose use in areas like hallways, living rooms and other areas which require long duration lighting.

Light emitting diodes (LED): Light emitting diodes or LEDs is another popular energy efficient lighting choice that is best suited for areas requiring bright luminosity. LEDs are ideal for places like kitchen, staircase and footlight area of the house.

Halogen Globes: Halogen globes are best suited for areas where lights need constant switching on and switching off like pantries and similar areas. Halogen globes provide instant light and are up to 30% more efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs.

Halogen Spotlights: Halogen Spotlights are best suited for outdoor regions of a house like the garden area of the verandah. Halogen spotlights are now increasingly getting replaced by more energy efficient Infrared coated halogen spotlights.

Linear fluorescent tubes: Linear fluorescent tubes commonly known as tube lights are ideal for under cupboard task lighting and also in the kitchen and pantry area of the house. Linear fluorescent tubes offer up to 80% more power efficiency than light bulbs.

Most energy efficient light bulbs come in two different base variants, namely screw fitting and bayonet. While replacing your light bulb with an energy efficient one make sure to check the base fitting to consider energy efficient lighting options.

Luminous efficacy

Lighting efficiency is usually evaluated in terms of luminous efficacy. As a general rule, energy efficient lights produce more light while consuming less power compared to traditional light bulbs. A 100 Watt incandescent light bulb can easily be replaced by a 25 Watt CFL which can offer better luminosity.

CFL bulbs have a Kelvin or ‘K’ number, lower the K number scale it give off a soft bright light and higher the K number scale, it give off a bright light. Generally ratings between 2700K and 3000K come under warm color category ideally suited for hallways and bedrooms while 4000K + ratings come under cool white light useful in bathrooms, kitchen and laundry section of the household.