Different light bulbs will give you different results in your recessed lighting. There are many different things to consider when it comes to choosing your light bulbs, such as type, size, shape, and performance. Below is some information that will help you decide what is the best light bulb to use in your home.
Type:
In a residential setting, there are four types of recessed light bulbs used. These are incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent or CFL, and light emitting diode or LED.
1. Incandescent:
Right now the most popular light bulb is still the incandescent light bulb. Even though it is the oldest and most inefficient, it is still widely used and produced today.
2. Halogen:
Another type of light bulb is the halogen. This bulb is in the incandescent family. These lights are brighter and usually last longer than it’s traditional counterpart.
3. CFL:
CFL bulbs are very energy-efficient and money saving. These bulbs use 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
4. LED:
LED are the latest in the new line of light bulbs. These lights are replacing all older light bulbs due to their long life and efficiency. They are also dimmable.
Shape:
The US uses a letter code system to determine the shape. The direction of the light is determine by what shape the bulb is. There are six basic shapes – R, BR, PAR, MR, A, and Tube:
- R, or Reflector, are the most common bulbs. These bulbs have reflective inside surface which directs all light downward.
- BR, or Bulged Reflector, are a newer version of the reflector bulb. The difference is that it has a bulge near the base of the bulb.
- PAR, or Parabolic Aluminized Reflector, bulbs have a parabolic shape for the reflective surface. This helps to produce a tight and controlled light. These bulbs are more used in theatrical settings.
- MR, or Multifaceted Reflector, lights use a reflective inner surface to control the light beam.
- A, or Arbitrary, lights are the most common bulb. These are used in most households and show light in all directions.
- Tube shaped bulbs allow for necessary length to be folded into a compact shape. They are also known as spiral or twist.
Size:
The size of a light bulb requires a little math to be done. In the US, light bulb sizes are shown in 1/8ths of an inch. So, if you needed an MR16 bulb, this would be a Multifaceted Reflector that has a 2 inch diameter. It has 16 1/8ths which is equal to 16/8th or 2 inches.
Here is a helpful page that shows the sizes and types of light bulbs.
This is a lot to take into account and can get quite confusing. It’s best to consult with a professional electrician who is used to handling all types of situations. Give Applied Electric Inc. a call to discuss all your light bulb needs. We will walk through the project with you and recommend the best lighting installation for your home.