Shedding Light On Bulb Types

It’s time. You’ve been staring at those old, dated bulbs for far too long. Maybe it’s time to do some remodeling and you’re changing out the current bulbs. Or maybe your existing bulb just burnt out and it’s time to swap in a new bulb. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to decipher which bulb is best for you. It’s not only about the bulb, but also the fixture itself since that could determine the kind of bulb you need to use as a replacement.

Replacing Your Old Light Bulbs

Attention to details will be key in this process. The first and most obvious detail is the fitting of the fixture itself. Not every bulb is a simple screw-in, threaded fitting. This is referred to as an E26 socket. Some bulbs have a two-pronged apparatus that slots into the bulb holder with a simple half-turn. These are called GU10 sockets. The E26 socket is the far more common option for the average household as you will rarely see GU10 sockets outside of kitchens, garages, or other utility workspaces.

Which Bulb is Best for Your Replacement?

Next detail: which kind of bulb do you need? Incandescents are a traditional option that have been the go-to choice for most applications. However, many incandescents are being phased out with the updates to LED bulbs. LEDs are far more energy efficient and last significantly longer than their incandescent counterparts. They also have a wider color temperature and hue option to give you the perfect atmosphere for working, relaxing, or watching a movie. Dimmer switches are a great option as they allow you to hone in on a specific mood even further than with a regular light switch. All incandescent bulbs are dimmable and can be used with any incandescent dimmer. Most LED bulbs, however, cannot be dimmed. LED bulbs that are dimmable will be clearly labeled and can only be dimmed with an LED dimmer that is listed as compatible.

PAR bulbs are a more suitable option for outdoor fixtures. These bulbs use an aluminum reflector to focus light and a pattern on the exterior to further focus on a specific area. These are commonly used as floodlights for garages or porches. Outdoor PAR bulbs are commonly halogen as most traditional incandescent and LED bulbs are not waterproof, and therefore unsuitable for outdoor applications. PAR bulbs are designed to better withstand outdoor elements with their heavier and thicker exteriors.

Lighting Tip: LED lamps can be used outdoors as long as they have certain ratings. Bulbs with a wet location rating can come into direct contact with water. Bulbs with a damp location rating can also be used outdoors, but they must be protected from direct contact with water.

Sizing Your Options

The final detail to consider when replacing a bulb appropriately is its dimensions. If the bulb is recessed, measure the opening to refer to when looking for a replacement bulb. The other important measurement is of the bulb’s diameter itself. Most bulbs are measured in eighths of an inch. When inspecting the packaging, look for the bulb type followed by a number like 14, 20, 30, etc., to find the matching bulb size for your fixture.

Search for all bulb sizes at 1000Bulbs to light up your home. Have more questions about which bulb is best for you? Give our lighting experts a call at 1-800-624-4488.