Types of light bulbs - there are plenty to choose from!

How to choose the right light bulb?

There are many different types and kinds of light bulbs available on the market. They differ from each other in their principles of operation, properties, lifespan, power consumption and appearance. Therefore, before you buy a bulb for your new lamp, consider what parameters the light source you choose should meet, its durability, energy efficiency, color temperature, and whether it is compatible with the technologies with which you will want to combine it.

Below you will find the basic types of light bulbs available on the market, learn which bulbs to choose for the rooms in your home, which to use with a dimmer and what you can do with the light using your smartphone and app. If, on the other hand, you are interested in specific light parameters, read our article HERE. We also recommend a compact lamp bulb selection guide ie "How to choose a light bulb for a lamp? A short guide that will brighten everything up for you!

From Edison's first incandescent bulb to the light bulbs used today, this most important invention of the 19th century has come a very long, technological way to improve the quality and color of light, extend the life of the bulb, and reduce electricity consumption. Among the most common light sources available today, we have a choice:

• traditional incandescent bulbs
• halogen bulbs
• fluorescent lamps
• and LEDs

Incandescent bulbs

Incandescent / tungsten bulbs are the most traditional and for a long time the most common type of light bulb used in homes, in which the light source is a filament heated by flowing current, made of tungsten and placed in a glass bulb filled with a mixture of noble gases. Incandescent bulbs fit most classic lamps, lamps and chandeliers, as well as almost any room. Although they are cheaper than other incandescent bulbs (for example, LED bulbs), they are uneconomical and environmentally unfriendly to use. However, it must be admitted that this type of light source provides a faithful reproduction of colors, which is very beneficial for the well-being of household members. Their light does not tire your eyes, its temperature is constant and it just makes you feel good.

As we have already mentioned, incandescent bulbs have a short lifespan compared to other types of bulbs (about 1,000 hours of illumination for an incandescent bulb compared to 10,000h for compact fluorescent lamps and 20,000-30,000h for LED lighting) and have high energy consumption and high carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. It is for this reason that, according to an EU directive, from September 1, 2009, stores in the EU could no longer order traditional 100W incandescent bulbs, from September 1, 2010 incandescent bulbs of 75W and above were withdrawn, from September 1, 2011 incandescent bulbs of 60W and a year later incandescent bulbs of 25W and above were phased out. These provisions, however, applied only to light sources intended for domestic use, which allowed practices that allowed them to be freely purchased. Therefore, in order to achieve the intended effect, additional provisions have been introduced, according to which the manufacturer or importer of incandescent lamps is required to prove that the product placed on the EU market is a special lamp based on its technical parameters. Thus, we can conclude that in the countries of the European Union, the era of the hegemony of traditional incandescent light bulbs came to an end in 2016, and residents of European countries had to make friends with other - greener - types of light sources.

Fluorescent lights

Wasteful and environmentally unfriendly, traditional tungsten incandescent bulbs have been replaced by energy-efficient fluorescent lamps, among others. They differ from classic incandescent bulbs primarily in the way they emit light. While in an incandescent bulb the luminous element is a filament that has been heated to a high temperature, in a fluorescent bulb the light is given off by discharging mercury vapor (so they must be disposed of properly).

Among the bulbs of this type we can find both spiral and decorative fluorescent lamps, as well as in the form of "tubes" for use in places where the light source is not visible.

The main advantage of fluorescent lamps is their long life (up to 10 years), good price and relatively low energy consumption. Thanks to the fact that they consume up to 80% less light than traditional incandescent bulbs, they are perfect for workplaces - rooms where light is on for long periods of time and continuously, as their frequent switching on and off shortens their lifespan. The light emitted by fluorescent lamps is healthy for the eye and has a high color rendering index.

Disadvantages? After switching on, the fluorescent lamps have to warm up for a while, and over time there is a noticeable drop in the quality of the light they give out. This type of light source also does not perform well at low temperatures, making fluorescent lamps unsuitable for outdoor and unheated rooms.

But most importantly for users of home interiors, fluorescent lights can also affect color perception, so that wallpaper and painted walls may have a slightly different hue under natural and artificial fluorescent light.

LED bulbs

Another type of light bulb that is extremely popular these days are LEDs. The light source in this case is not a filament or discharge, but a light-emitting diode. This state-of-the-art light source has many advantages including extremely long life, low power consumption, instantaneous ignition and short time to reach full brightness. What's more, unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs do not heat up, are insensitive to shocks and more resistant to switching on and off. Despite the higher price, these bulbs are therefore much more economical.

Among the LEDs you will find both those that imitate the shape of traditional tungsten bulbs, LED strips and reflectors, which are an excellent substitute for halogen headlights (unlike them, they do not heat the illuminated surface). Read more about LED bulbs - their types and applications, in our article HERE.

Decorative LED filament bulbs

Decorative filament LED bulbs combine the classic look of traditional Edison bulbs with modern LED technology, making them an attractive choice for a variety of interiors. LED filament bulbs retain the aesthetics of traditional incandescent bulbs, making them ideal for vintage and retro styles. They offer a variety of shapes, such as classic spherical, cylindrical or candle-shaped, allowing for a wide range of decorative applications. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, which consume much more energy, LED filament bulbs are much more energy efficient. Offer the same amount of light with less energy consumption. LED filament bulbs emit a warm, pleasant light that creates a cozy atmosphere indoors. In addition, many models are dimmable, allowing you to adjust the light intensity to suit different needs and moods. Read more you can read about decorative light bulbs in our article here.

Flament bulbs look especially good when used in lamps with transparent, stylized shades (such as these from the Longis collection) or shades made of glass in a smoky shade (see Avia Black collection).

Halogen bulbs

These are incandescent bulbs that use halogen, which increases the temperature of the filament. These bulbs faithfully reproduce colors (although they may slightly saturate them) and are also characterized by fast ignition and low price.

And although halogen bulbs shine brighter and longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, which have already been withdrawn from sale in Poland, they still lose out to fluorescent and LEDs. First of all, they run shorter than they do and use more energy. In addition, they work only at low voltage.

At the same time, thanks to their appearance in very small sizes, they are indispensable for built-in and spot lighting (ceiling, in kitchen cabinets, etc.).)

Take care of the climate... at home - with dimmable light bulbs

A dimmable light bulb is the perfect solution to create an atmosphere in those rooms where it matters most, namely the living room and bedroom. With dimmable lighting, you will not only take care of the mood at home, but also adjust the brightness of the lighting to the time of day or the activity you are doing at the moment. What's more, the use of modern dimming systems - as opposed to the dimmers used in the past, which only regulated light intensity - saves money, and is additionally an ecological solution.

Which light bulbs dimmers work best with? As we have already mentioned, dimmers in combination with classic incandescent bulbs allow you to change the brightness of the light, but the bulb does not consume less electricity in the process, which at the same time does not extend its life. Traditional fluorescent lamps are not compatible with dimmers, while halogen lighting dimmers are primarily used to increase the life of light sources (by up to 70%).

The best type of bulb to use with a dimmer is therefore an LED bulb, which will not only achieve a light temperature and intensity that is pleasing to the eye, but will also save money and be environmentally friendly. (Note: when choosing an LED bulb for use with a dimmer, look for LEDs whose packaging indicates that they can be paired with it).

Dimmers for pendant lamps, ceiling lamps, or LED strips nowadays usually take the form of a modern light switch with a knob, which can be controlled manually or with a remote control, for even greater convenience of use. Touch and audible dimmers are also available.

Remote control of lighting

Since we are already on the subject of remote control of lighting, it is worth mentioning that in the age of current technology, you can control the light not only with a separate remote control, but also from a smartphone and an app. Special programs allow you to control the lighting while you are away (for example, on vacation) and simulate your presence in the apartment or building.

Controlling the light from within the app also allows you to program special lighting scenarios to suit your typical activities - dinner, watching a TV series on the couch or reading a book.

Interesting lighting solutions are also placed inside the apartment or house night lights that are activated by movement and emit a very gentle stream that allows safe movement without having to manually turn on the overhead light. In solutions that require new technology, adapted, specialized LED bulbs are the best choice.

We hope you already know what bulbs to choose to light up the space in and around your home. Remember to always buy high-quality light bulbs, as only they will ensure that you meet the parameters described on the package and that your home space is illuminated in a healthy, economical and environmentally friendly way.