Choosing the Right Lightbulb for Your Lighting Fixture
It may sound like a simple process, but choosing the right lightbulb for your light fixture may even be more challenging than you realize. Lighting fixtures vary greatly in this day and age, and there are many kinds of lightbulbs available.
While lightbulbs are considered basic in function, there are literally dozens of options available. You shouldn’t just buy the first light bulb you come to in the store. Instead, take the time to look at the options and choose the lightbulb that is best suited for your fixtures.
By taking the time to make the right selection, you are saving yourself time and money, making your light fixture look much more attractive and you are ensuring safety by making certain you are not using the wrong option.
The Basics
- The first thing to consider is the wattage. Light fixtures tell you the maximum amount of wattage allowed in a fixture. You should never use a bulb with a higher wattage. Choose a bulb with a wattage equal to or less than the recommended amount. If you go over the wattage amount, there is a fire hazard.
- Pay attention to the lumens, which is the amount of light that the light bulb will put out. Wattage is the amount of energy, so lumens is very different. The larger the space you are lighting, the higher the lumens you will need to do the job. As an example, you want a bulb with lumens higher than 1000. The higher the lumens, the more the light appears to be like natural sunlight.
- Consider the light bulb’s shape. You want to choose a bulb that will fit into the socket of your lighting fixture.
- Check the life expectancy of the light bulb. Remember, the longer the light bulb lasts, the better is and the more money you save in the long run.
By just paying close attention to these few things, you can choose the best light bulbs for your lighting fixtures.
