Despite the time that has elapsed, light bulbs continue to be a key piece in the lighting of our home. The good news is that, compared to old bulbs, modern ones save energy and help you customize the environment as you want.
It was the year 1880 when Thomas Alva Edison patented the first light bulb in history and began to market it. A model that, at that time, was very inefficient: it used 80% of the energy to generate heat and only 20% of the energy to emit light.
Since those distant years, incandescent lamps have changed a lot, although unfortunately their lack of efficiency has put an end to them. And it is that, although today it is still possible to find them in some establishments, their manufacture is prohibited by the European Union for reasons of energy efficiency.
Fortunately, the variety of current bulbs is more than considerable, having different types of lamps, bulbs and elements with which to save energy and even adjust the color and brightness of the lighting to what we need at all times. Something that has the disadvantage that we get lost among the different classes of existing bulbs. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you, the result of which is the bulb guide below.
Types of bulb sockets
Within the parts of a light bulb, the socket is one of the most characteristic when it comes to classifying them. In general, most of us think that light bulbs have no more than the “thin and the fat cap”, equivalent to E14 and E27 sizes. However, GU-type connectors are also common, which we find in the different types of halogen bulbs designed for recessed spotlights.
Outside of these elements, we have other types of bulb socket such as the G-type pins of fluorescent tubes and bulbs, as well as other types of traditional E-type threads, equal to the most classic bulbs, although varying in their dimensions. Obviously, it is key that when buying light bulbs we hit the right type of socket, because if we don’t it will be impossible to use them.
Types of bulbs by technology
Another important aspect that defines current bulbs is the operating technology that they offer us. An issue where the variety has increased significantly. However, the dominance among consumers of the different types of LED bulb that exist in the market is increasing.
The first technology we have to talk about is halogen. This system has replaced the classic incandescent bulbs, offering energy savings over these of approximately 30%. This system can be found in the form of a traditional bulb or a flat bulb, ideal for placement in recessed spotlights.
Something greater is the saving of fluorescent bulbs, which have a similar system to the usual fluorescent tubes and save 75% energy compared to the usual incandescent bulb.
However, where we find the greatest savings is in LED technology. This is capable of reducing consumption up to 90% compared to the traditional incandescent bulb, having the additional advantage of having a much longer useful life. Therefore, the different types of existing LED bulbs not only allow us to save energy, but also lengthen their change times, spending fewer bulbs during their useful life.
Types of bulbs by wattage
We come to one of the most complex aspects, given the differences in consumption between models. All the bulbs of all the classes that we have mentioned are presented in variable wattages, ranging from 1 watt of the LED models to more than 600 of the higher wattage halogen bulbs.
This leaves us with two problems.
One of them is to choose the amount of watts needed to light each room. We think that the power we need in an office or a kitchen is not the same as in a bedroom. Therefore, you will have to see the space of the room and the degree of illumination that that area should have.
The other problem is that of equivalences. For a 60 watt incandescent bulb, suitable for a not very large room, the equivalences would be 46 watts in halogen mode, 12 in fluorescent mode and just 9 watts in an LED product. Luckily, all the boxes of the bulbs include the corresponding equivalence in incandescent terms, which at least gives you a reference when choosing bulbs for your home.
Bulbs by types of light
Technological improvement is another interesting novelty when it comes to having different bulbs depending on the type of light they generate . This allows you to choose products with a certain temperature or specific color index.
The temperature of the light allows us to know the color that it offers, within the approach of “white” light. Products with levels of around 2,700 K offer a more yellow light, suitable for the home, while those of 3,000 K are suitable for offices and warehouses. If you prefer a white light bulb, turn to models of about 6,000 K, while those of 6,500 K or more give a more similar to daylight.
Something similar happens with the color index. This scale goes from 0 to 100 and compares the natural light with that of the light bulb. The closer this value is to 100, the higher end of the scale, the more similar to daylight the bulb will be.
Types of bulbs by finish
Another novelty that current bulbs have are the finishes they offer us. One of the latest fashions, for example, is the industrial finish light bulbs, which imitate the usual incandescent products, although with elongated and very showy bulbs. In this decorative aspect we also have to talk about artistic light bulbs that, thanks to the versatility of this technology, allow the creation of lighting elements with all kinds of shapes and finishes. Ideal to finish off all types of lamps without breaking their aesthetics.
The other great interesting group is made up of bulbs for complex areas. These have been manufactured so that dust and humidity do not pose a risk when using them, simplifying assembly. So, if you have a particularly humid bathroom, in addition to an anti-humidity paint , you can use these bulbs to illuminate it.