How to choose light bulbs for your home?

H for Halogen
Halogens were the first successors to the traditional light bulbs because, just like in the traditional bulb, the light in a halogen bulb is created by the incandescence of prongs. Nevertheless, the term "light bulb" is conventionally applied to all "light sources". Despite their efficiency, unchanging brightness over a long lifetime, halogens also have drawbacks: they heat up the objects illuminated as well as consume much more electricity than fluorescent lamps or LEDs. Nevertheless, they are preferred in fixtures requiring a powerful light source to illuminate large rooms. Currently, they are used in warehouses or large industrial areas, as well as outdoors (often in the form of floodlights). They are also used in automotive lighting. Halogen bulbs last twice as long as conventional bulbs.

To choose light sources well, consider the following factors: 

● thread/shank type,

● bulb shape,

● power and brightness,

● light colour.

Most common shank types

E27: the most common thread with a diameter of 27 mm (like the IQ-LED A60), used in LEDs, halogens and compact fluorescent lamps, standard in ceiling lights and often in wall lights.

E14: 14 mm thread, this type of thread is used for LED bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps and halogen bulbs and is mostly used for decorative lighting and small lamps such as desk lamps.

GU10: mounted on two thick pins, 10 mm apart, inserted and then turned in the socket of the luminaire, mostly used in household and decorative lamps.

G53: mounted on two legs with a distance of 53 mm, this type is used for halogen and LED spotlights.

MR16: press-fitted into the socket, designed for LED spotlights (12V), they are used in luminaires and suspended ceilings, as well as in bathrooms and other rooms with a high degree of humidity.

Bulb power and brightness

In September 2009, in Poland, traditional light bulbs above 100W and frosted bulbs were withdrawn from stores. Newer light sources: halogens, fluorescent lamps or LEDs, using the same power, give a much greater brightness, measured in lumens. With a consumption of 25W, a halogen gives a light output of up to 400 lumens, an energy-saving fluorescent lamp only needs 8W to achieve this, while a LED diode easily achieves this light output with a consumption of 4W.

How to choose the power and brightness of a light source for a room?

main ceiling lamps, in the centre of the room: 900-1500 lumens,

wall lamps: 140-350 lumens,

lamps for work and study areas: 400 - 600 lumens,

main lamp in the kitchen or bathroom: 800-1000 lumens, supplementary lighting, 150-300 lumens,

directional lighting in the kitchen or bathroom: 450-700 lumens.

What kind of light bulbs to choose for the living room?

In the main room - the living room, which has many functions, the optimal choice will be LED bulbs. Modern LEDs give the possibility of choosing the colour of the light and perfectly harmonise with other light sources, such as IQ-LED GU10 in the Kanlux LAURIN wall and ceiling luminaire.

Remember that you can also buy lamps for your home that already have a non-replaceable LED light source installed. They last even longer than replaceable LED bulbs – up to 50,000 hours! These lamps also allow you to choose the colour of light that suits you – look for the markings on the packaging.