Any consumer who has stood in the light bulb section of the hardware store knows all too well how many choices there are. Choosing the right light bulb for a specific purpose can be a confusing task, but once you have determined exactly what you need the light bulb for, it makes it much easier to select the right style to accommodate your needs. Whether you need to flood a room with light, add a soft glow or use a concentrated beam for detailed work, you'll be able to find the right light bulb quickly and easily with a bit of background information.
So many homeowners are committed to living a sustainable lifestyle, and the lighting industry has responded with energy-efficient products. It's a smart idea to consider using compact fluorescent light bulbs, also called CFLs, which are designed to consume as much as 40% less electricity than other light bulbs. This light bulb style typically features an ENERGY STAR label and is an excellent choice for floor lamps, table lamps, reading lamps, ceiling and wall mounted light fixtures, chandeliers and kitchen islands. They feature either a plug-in or screw-in base for easy insertion into the fixture, they generate much less heat than other light bulb options and their lifespan is much longer than incandescent bulbs.
Halogen light bulbs are a popular style for those that prefer a bright white light similar to natural sunlight. Generally designed to facilitate a particular task such as reading, they are normally used in floor lamps, bathroom vanity lighting, chandeliers and directional and overhead ceiling lamps. They can also be used outdoors to direct light onto landscaping and other artistic elements in the yard.
Incandescent bulbs ranging from between 15 and 150 watts are inexpensive, versatile and emit a multi-directional white-yellow light. Incandescent bulbs are used in a wide assortment of lighting fixtures, but be sure to follow the wattage recommendations posted on the lamp fixture to avoid injury or risk of fire.
There are also a variety of light bulbs designed for a specific purpose, such as heat lamps that generate a temperature change, black lights that emit ultraviolet light, germicidal bulbs that can disinfect an area and full-spectrum light bulbs that mimic natural sunlight indoors. You can also find coated, shatter-resistant light bulbs, which will be your best choice when safety is a priority.