Bright white light bulbs have a color temperature of 4,000 to 5,000 Kelvin and emit a white-blue hue. It gives an energetic feel and is perfect for places such as the office and garage.
With the tighter US energy efficiency rules, manufacturers can no longer make bulbs producing 42 lumens per watt come July. This means the age of the Thomas Edison incandescent bulbs and halogen incandescent is finally over, leaving the new giant LEDs to take over the market.
As two of the traditional bulbs leave the market, eventually the others will follow suit. Thus, millions of people who still have the older bulbs in their homes will no longer find replacements. This guide to bright white LEDs should come in handy for homeowners new to this type of lighting.
Understanding Lumens, Watts, CRI, And Color Temperature
Lumens And Wattage
Lumens and wattage are two important concepts that many people struggle with when it comes to lighting.
Lumens measure the amount of visible light emitted by a source. It’s a measure of how much light is coming out of the bulb, not how bright it appears. For example, a 25-watt incandescent bulb delivers about 250 lumens, while a LED with the same lumen produces 2-3W.
Wattage refers to the amount of power used by an electrical device. It’s essentially a measure of how much heat the light bulb use.
CRI And Color Temperature
CRI, or color rendering index, is an industry-standard that measures the ability of a light source to render colors accurately. A high CRI rating means the light source will show colors in objects as they appear under natural sunlight, while a low CRI rating indicates a lack of accuracy and vibrancy.
Similarly, color temperatures describe the light appearance of a bulb in degrees Kelvin. Lower color temperatures produce a more orange or yellow light, and higher color temperatures have a more bluish hue.
Where To Use Bright White Light Bulbs?
Bright white light bulbs have become a staple in many homes and businesses. You can use them in kitchens, security lighting, garages, and laundry rooms where there is a need for task lighting.
These bulbs emit a blueish hue associated with energy, alertness, and mood. Studies have shown that people exposed to more natural sunlight are happier than those who are not.
Furthermore, 4000K changes melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep) levels in your brain so that you feel more energized and awake.
5000K Is Perfect For Security lighting
As the world changes, the need for safe environments is growing. The security industry has evolved as a result and now offers a variety of products to help keep people secure at home or at businesses.
The 5000K color temperature is ideal for outdoor security lighting. It offers the best combination of brightness, security, and energy efficiency. The higher the Kelvin rating, the whiter the light will be.
Choose from a wide range of security lights including the Light Dot and Amico.
Use 4000K- 4500K For Task Lighting
Task lighting illuminates a specific area, such as a desk or kitchen countertop. It is also a great way to make your home more comfortable and functional.
Here are some ways you can use task lighting in your home:
Kitchen
Task lighting over your kitchen island or peninsula can help you cook and prep more efficiently. For example, if you’re slicing vegetables on a cutting board, you can direct light on the board and avoid shadows from overhead lights. You may also want to install task lights over counters.
Bedroom
Task lights are ideal for reading or any other activity that requires close attention, such as sewing, knitting or crocheting. Use lamps with adjustable heads that can direct the light where it’s needed most. For an overhead light, use a dimmer switch as it provides greater flexibility when reading.
Use Dimmers
Because bright white bulbs can be a bit harsh, adding dimmers can adjust the brightness from 0 to its highest setting. This device is perfect for pendants above your kitchen island.
Besides this, they are available in many different styles, including slide and rotary dimmers, touch-sensitive dimmer switches, and keypads with built-in dimmers.
It can also reduce energy costs by up to 50 percent compared with using full brightness levels and the amount of light emitted per watt of energy consumed.
Conclusion
Bulbs with a color temperature of 4000K-5000K are considered bright white. You can use them where you need task lighting such as the kitchen, garage, and for security lights.
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