If you’re wondering how to choose the best light bulbs for your interior design project, we have the answer. There are several infographics that may help you with this matter – they will show you which is the best option and explain why. We really want you to know all about the bulbs you can find at the market.
SEE ALSO: HOW TO MAKE A SMALL BEDROOM LOOK BIGGER
Three of the most common energy-efficient lighting types include halogen incandescent bulbs, CFLs, and LEDs. Let’s see the characteristics of each one of those lighting bulbs. Even so, LED really is the best option regarding its low energy consumption.
LEDS
The light emitting diode (LED) are semiconductors that convert electricity into light. LEDs are a type of solid-state lighting and are one of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing technologies. The main advantage is that this kind of lighting uses only 20%–25% of the energy and lasts up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs are more expensive but clearly are worth the investment – in the long run, you’ll save money.
HALOGEN INCANDESCENT BULBS
This kind of bulb have a capsule inside that holds gas around a filament to increase bulb efficiency. They are available in a wide range of shapes and colors and can be used with dimmers.
Traditional incandescent and halogen incandescent bulbs can be mixed up. As you can read here, both incandescent and halogen bulbs are based on the concept of two parallel metal wires transmitting an electrical current to a tungsten filament that connects them, heating the filament to a point where its heat is reflected as light and they both put a glass housing around the wires and filaments to amplify the light that is produced. The major difference between an incandescent bulb and a halogen bulb is the gasses that each produce within its glass bulb.
The purpose of gas production is the same in that it is meant to the slow evaporation of the filament and keep it from rusting. Both incandescent and halogen bulbs go dark when the filament wears out. Incandescent bulbs fill with a mixture of 93 percent argon and seven percent nitrogen, both of which are inert gasses. A halogen bulb adds a halogen gas, such as iodine or bromine, creating a chemical reaction that regenerates evaporated tungsten and puts it back on the filament, helping to extend the filament’s life and therefore the life of the light bulb. However, incandescent bulbs are less efficient than halogen bulbs are, using about 90 percent of the energy that they consume to produce heat and turning less than five percent of it into light.
CFLS
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are simply curly versions of the long tube fluorescent lights you may already have in your kitchen or garage. This kind of lamp use about one-fourth less energy than traditional incandescents and lasts ten times longer than a traditional incandescent bulb that puts out the same amount of light. A CFL uses about one-third the energy of a halogen incandescent. CFL bulbs are available in a range of light colors, including warm (white to yellow) tones that were not available when first introduced. Some are encased in a cover to further diffuse the light and provide a similar shape to the bulbs you are replacing. Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, and they should always be recycled at the end of their lifespan.
Ceiling Fixtures
Regarding lighting fixtures, there are many types you can choose – even if you need accent light. Take a look at this overview of the types of fixtures available and tips on how they can satisfy your lighting and decor needs.
Recessed lighting (the first example in the infographic above) is one of the several options for ceiling fixtures. Installed above the ceiling, this type of lighting is used as focal point light. It has an opening that is in contact with the ceiling. A recessed light requires at least 6 inches of clearance above the ceiling. Recessed lighting sends a band of light in one direction; it can be used to provide ambient, task or accent lighting to highlight decor details.
Do you need some guidelines for choosing and placing recessed lights? You can see many solutions on how to install recessed lighting by clicking here.
Now that you know the importance a light bulb can have in any Interior Design project and which is the most appropriate type of ceiling fixtures for your project or home, give us some feedback. We hope this will be helpful.
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