Light bulb buyers guide
Amongst many different light bulbs available in Sri Lanka, choosing the right one that fits your needs, sometimes may feel like too easy, sometimes it may feel like head scratching. Currently there are ample amount of different light bulbs from different makes, types, and power ratings. One of your old favorites may seems like obsolete or may not be the best choice in terms of energy efficacy, cost, or both. In an average residence, lighting may constitute somewhere around 10-15% of total energy consumption and with the right choice, you may shed some part of it for good.
There is no one best make or type that makes you happy. Yet, if you have right information and tools, you may find what best for you with a help from this guide. Unlike buying in-store, where you have a chance see for yourself what is the color, or the brightness of a sample light bulb, buying online may force you to find the right facts. That is why asirihardware.lk provide you with best available information to help chose the right light bulb for your lovely home.
There are four key facts to bear in mind when choosing the light bulbs.
- Think lumens (how bright the light is), not the Watts
- Consider lifetime costs, not the labeled costs
- Color temperature which best comforts your mood.
- Should it be general or task specific?
Think lumens, not Watts
In the old days, you would always concern the Watts instead of brightness of the light of an incandescent light globe. However, with new technologies like CFL or LED, same brightness would still be achieved with a far less power compared to a traditional incandescent globe.
“Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a bulb. More lumens mean more light: fewer lumens mean a dimmer light” In other words, lumens are like kilos to sugar, or liters to oil.
How you decide what lumens do you really need. Of course, you can check the label of you favorite bulb and compare its brightness with another, or you could use a help of freely available online tools to calculate how much lumens that you need or a chart which specifies the lumens by the room (bear in mind, same lumens will give different feeling in a darker room compared to a lighter room). Table below compares the lumens to Watts for popular types of bulbs.
Lifetime costs, not labeled costs
Different bulbs endure different lifetimes in terms of light hours. Thus, it is best to get a better comparison of total cost per light hour or for similar light hours rather than the labeled cost per a light bulb. Bellow table gives a comparison for different light bulbs with same lumens/brightness.
| Light bulb type | Number of light bulbs required | Unit cost (Rs) | Energy cost (Rs) | Total cost (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75W Standard/Incandescent | 25 | 80.00 | 18,750.00 | 20,750.00 |
| 53W Halogen | 12 | 300.00 | 13,250.00 | 16838.00 |
| 36W Fluorescent tube | 3 | 100.00 | 9,000.00 | 9,300.00 |
| 18W CFL | 3 | 345.00 | 4,500.00 | 5,535.00 |
| 15W LED | 1 | 620.00 | 3,750.00 | 4,370.00 |
If compared with the purchase costs, Incandescent bulb gives the lowest cost,which, however, yields the highest lifetime cost. In contrast when LED bubs are chosen, with the highest purchase cost they bring in the lowest lifetime cost.
Color temperature matters
What is your preference, is it cool or warm light? Opinion may vary depending on the place where the light bulb is installed. The light temperature is measure in kelvins. Very orange light has a low number of kelvins, a candle is about 1,500K. Daylight is much colder, often above 5,000K. For household light bulbs, most people prefer ‘warm white,” which is the warm, slightly yellow glow of an old incandescent or halogen bulb. These bulbs are 2,700K. Kitchens and bathrooms can usually have less yellow light, and bulbs that are natural white (3,000K) or cool white (4,100K). CFL and LED light bulbs are available in range of color temperatures. Refer to the following figure to tune up your mode by the color temperature you prefer.
Should it be General or task specific
In general, most rooms need general ambient lighting. Ambient lighting radiates overall at a comfortable brightness level. Thus, having a central light bulb for each room as an ambient light source.
In addition, have task lighting that can be switched on and off according to your preferences and needs. To illustrate, lamps for reading or sewing, and extra lighting over kitchen benches and bathroom mirrors.
In addition, accent lighting may be useful to emphasize paintings, house plants, or collectables. Directed downlights are ideal for this purpose.
Our Online store has range of different light bulbs form trusted and reputed brands available in Sri Lanka. Therefore, just see the specifications by keeping above 4 key guidelines in your mind and see what fits for your needs. Shop online at asiriharware.lk for incandescent, CFL, LED and Fluorescent tube light bulbs.
