Light Bulb Perfection

Finding the perfect light bulb for your home can be a nightmare. The truth is that there are many light bulbs out in the market that perform differently for each home. So how are you supposed to find the correct light bulb for your home? A Wall Street Journal article gives us some insight on selecting a new LED light bulb.

(Stinson Services, Inc. is a local twin cities exterior remodeling company. We provide Free Estimate regarding siding, roofing, windows, gutters, and insulation.)

Here are some basic home improvement tips when selecting a light bulb according to Michael Hsu of the WSJ.

5 things to consider when shopping for a light bulb

1. Be sure to check the specs on the light bulbs packaging. There are two key indicators that will play a role in the way your room lights up. The color temperature and color rendering index are two measurements that will make a difference in the way your home lights up. White light will general skew towards a warm (orangy) or cool (blue). An incandescent-like glow will fall into a temp of 2700k-2900k. The CRI is how accurately the light renders color in the room. You’ll want to find a bulb that is 80 (out of 100) or higher to get the best quality lighting, this is to conventional LED wisdom.

2. Make sure to trust your eyes. The specs can be misleading at times. Two bulbs with the same CRI might very well give your room a different feel. The best way to tell is by trying the bulb at your home. This leads to finding a retailer with a great return policy so you can try different bulbs out.

3. The shape of a light bulb can also play a role in the way a room will be presented. LED lights come in a standard bulb and floodlight-style shape which shines in a specific direction. Studies proved the the current floodlight-style bulbs were the best and should be used in lamps or recessed ceiling fixture that projected in one direction when possible.

4. LED lights are dimmable but most of them require a compatible dimmer to work. This should be marked clearly on the label.

5. LED lights are much safer than the old fluorescent bulbs that released harmful vapors. LED lights contain toxic materials but pose no risk to individuals according to a study performed by Oladele Ogunseitan, a professor at U of California.

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