Types of Light Bulbs / Lamps

There are different sorts of light bulbs on the market these days and, while they all emit light, they vary immensely in their efficiency.

Incandescent Lamps
Probably the best know light bulb; these are the conventional filament light bulbs. They come in many different colours, sizes and shapes and power and have different fittings such as Bayonet Cap, or the Edison Screw. They are also available with different coatings, which provide for different circumstances. A Pearl light bulb, for example, is an all over frosting and works by softening and spreading the light, whereas clear bulbs are better when a light needs to be bright and sharp. Also it is possible to choose a coloured bulb to suit your personal décor and to give a warm glow to your home. The down side of these bulbs are that they are not very efficient and have a relatively short life of around 1000 hours.

 
Fluorescent Lamps
These are the latest type of bulb and they only use around 11 watts of power to provide the same light as a 60watt conventional light bulb. This is brilliant for reducing greenhouse gases that are responsible for the thinning of the Ozone layer! They can last around five years and can you save up to 80% on your electricity bill over those 5 years!! These lights are best used where light is required for long periods, such as a child's overnight light or a passageway that needs constant lighting. Fluorescent lamps are just a glass tube filled with gas and they are available in many different shapes, sizes and power options.

 
Halogen Lamps
Halogen lights are usually quite small but they do generate a lot of heat and so must always be used in the correct fittings. The light given off by these lamps has the closest likeness to sunlight and so this is the type of light that is used to help treat SAD. They are much more energy efficient and last nearly twice as long as a traditional bulb. Halogen bulbs are available as low voltage but this need to be used with a transformer. Mains voltage Halogens are also easily obtained though, the most well known bulbs being GU10. In addition most Halogen bulbs can be used with dimmers, though it is best to get advice from a qualified electrician to ensure compatibility.