Again, different types of light bulbs, such as LEDs may achieve higher lumen figures with fewer watts. These are used only for decorative indoor lighting since they are unable to stand up to the elements the way that other bulbs are. That’s why you don’t usually see them in homes. They don’t emit infrared or ultraviolet light and contain no mercury. These bulbs function exactly the way that other light bulbs do and are a great way to add a little extra interest to your lighting by updating and changing the appearance of the bulb itself. The trouble is that different bulbs need different amounts of electricity to produce the same amount of light. In fact, they improved on incandescent bulbs.However, even these bulb types have their own different types… We’ll show you the differences between some common types. LED bulbs fit standard light sockets and are the most energy-efficient option. Incandescent bulbs are the standard glass light bulb that we have been discussing thus far. Phosphor emits visible light when energized, so when the electrons pass their energy into the phosphor coating, it glows, producing the cool white light we see. Halogen bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs -- they provide 25 to 30 percent more light using the same amount of electricity. They have to be used in much smaller sockets such as a nightlight or chandelier, while the MB and BT series bulbs are typically larger and have larger bases to fit into average sockets. This turned out to be a fantastic idea, first for basic indicator lights on electronics, and then as a replacement for traditional fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. Incandescent Bulb. The shape and size of the bulb that you buy will vary depending on the application. These three series light bulbs are often more decorative than other choices that you can buy on the market, but that does not limit how well that they work. These bulbs work really for desk lamps, lighting under cabinets, and task lighting. All these features make LEDs perfect for smart lights and smart bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are the traditional option, the first type of light bulb invented and famous for their warm color. Xenon doesn't get as hot as halogen, and can be a better option in tight or enclosed lighting fixtures. Replacing an incandescent bulb with one that has no filament should eliminate the problem. LED bulbs fit standard light sockets and are the most energy-efficient option. Instead, homes have a lot of sockets designed for screw-in incandescent bulbs, posing a problem to fluorescent conversion. CFLs, fluorescent light bulbs, incandescent bulbs, and LEDs are the most common light bulb types. They also produce less heat than incandescent bulbs and can be used in most applications where an incandescent would be used. These bulbs are great for use in chandeliers or lamps that have the appearance of candlesticks. The three different types of UV light bulb available are Blacklight Blue (BLB), Blacklight (BL368), and Germicidal. Due to their unique shape, they can’t be used in every application but will work perfectly in the right lamps. Below this chart, we set out each chart individually and describe each type. This means that for a lamp that takes a 40W incandescent, you could also use a 9W CFL or a 6W LED. Light Emitting Diode (LED) Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs are currently the most energy efficient of all types of light bulbs. These are commonly used in high-wattage lamps or in street lamps. We know talk in terms of lumens which is a distinct measure of the light produced – the higher the value the brighter the bulb. They specialize in producing a very powerful, very pure type of white light that’s excellent for visibility. When choosing a bulb, keep in mind the following: Estimate desired wattage: read the package to choose desired illumination level. In an effort to try and simplify the light bulb puzzle, we put together a series of custom light bulb charts that illustrate shapes, bases, and sizes. They won’t fit into regular lamps and lights, so most people must buy and adapter to use this type of bulb. Aluminum reflector bulbs have a very large top with a small base, allowing them to easily project a lot of light forward, making them ideal for spotlights and flood lights. The change in the neck of the bulb helps to redirect light that would otherwise be lost and use it to increase the lumen output. Our house, built in the 1980s has all kinds of different lights which require all different types of light bulbs. . Types of IR bulbs include quartz, halogen, clear or red-coated, incandescent, and ceramic varieties. There are different types of bulbs: incandescent, halogen, LED, and so forth.Halogen bulbs are not as great as LEDs, but they are certainly better than the traditional incandescent bulbs. Other Light Bulb Specs. When the bulb breaks, the whole thing must be replaced due to its design. This bulb type creates a cozy look and feel of actual flames due to their shape. However, it remained nothing more than a novelty for years, until people started thinking: What if we made diodes glow as brightly as possible, and what if we packed those diodes close together to simulate the way a bulb works? Halogen light bulbs are a type of incandescent bulb, using halogen gas to omit light. Therefore, different applications require different types of light bulbs. These include the incandescent lamp and its variations, halogen lamps, discharge lamps, and mercury vapor lamps. Incandescent bulbs have no expiration date. Various brightnesses are available, as are bulbs specifically designed for outdoor use. However, this approach also has its downsides. There are many different types of light bulbs around, and they were all designed with a certain use in mind. They contain specific gas mixtures that are activated by an electrical current that creates a visible arc – for HID bulbs, no phosphor coating is needed. While the bulb life varies, they will generally last for about one thousand hours. They’re great for overhead lighting, outdoor lighting, and for use as spotlights in sports complexes or other places. These straight tube bulbs are used in desk and wall lamps and sometimes for landscaping lighting. In fact, there’s a whole class of bulbs made just for retrofitting projects around the home when you need a new bulb for an old socket. Inside a bi-color LED light, there are two light-emitting dies, including three leads and a common cathode or anode. Fluorescent T series bulbs are used in hospitals, parking garages, retail outlets, and offices and can be up to 8 feet in length. It’s easy to remember the shape of B series light bulbs when you remember that the “B” stands for “blunt,” as these bulbs are slightly rounded and have just a small tip on the end. That’s why you won’t find any smart bulbs that offer incandescent options, and why homeowners are incentivized to move away from incandescents and toward other lighting options. Incandescent and fluorescent bulbs can easily be bought online or in local big box stores, but how they are used is completely different from one another. LED lights in the form of light bulbs, though, are still rather new, thus they’re more expensive than other types of light bulbs. Low voltage halogen light bulbs are specifically designed to give out low voltage lighting for landscaping. LEDs have lower wattage than incandescent bulbs but emit the same light output. The plus side is our 3-year-old loves going down the lighting aisle in our local hardware store. 6.Halogen. Use this handy guide to identify different types of light bulb bases that apply to incandescent, halogen, high-intensity discharge, fluorescent, and LED light bulbs. They vary in lumens and how long they will last. LEDs have lower wattage than incandescent bulbs but emit the same light output. These types of light bulbs can last well over 20,000 hours. Handle with care! lumen output), you see a lot of high output T5s used in warehouse fixtures. Halogen light bulbs emit a similar glow to incandescent lighting, however, they are a much more affordable and energy-efficient option. Choosing an LED Light Bulb. In practice, halogen bulbs tend to last about the same amount of time as incandescent bulbs, about a year or two. These bulbs give off the brightness of fluorescent light in an even circular shape. I wasn’t surprised that there would be so many light bulb options. These small bulbs have a base of 10 mm and are great for lanterns, flashlights, and decorative optical fiber lights. They aren’t built for bad weather, high humidity, or extreme temperature fluctuations, but they are great for adding a little additional interest to a lamp or chandelier in your home. You will see them at theatres, casinos, restaurants, and even hotels. These are each meant for very different uses and, in the case of germicidal lights particularly, could be hazardous to your health if mixed up. They can be used as a replacement for incandescent bulbs. Some common bulbs that use this base are appliance bulbs or desk lamps. Thus, if you want a bulb that is about as bright as a standard 100W incandescent, just look for any model that puts out about 1600 lumens, regardless of the wattage. These are usually LED bulbs with the diodes arrange in different patterns, plus different base types for various sockets. Most of the light bulbs that you buy in stores or online are going to have this kind of base. 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