Which bulbs are best for the home: which are + rules for choosing the best bulb

To answer the question of which bulbs are best for the home, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of all light sources suitable for use in residential premises, and then conduct a comparative analysis of the most important parameters.

The winner will be a practical, safe for humans, durable device that provides the highest quality light flow with economical energy consumption.

The main types of household light sources

Lamps suitable for home are primarily classified by light emission technology.

The most relevant among them are:

• classic incandescent bulbs;
• luminescent products;
• halogen appliances;
• LED devices.

Each of the positions has specific technical characteristics and a different level of efficiency in the same operating conditions.

The choice of the best device directly depends on the requirements for a particular lighting system.

Features of Edison Bulbs

A traditional incandescent lamp is a classic option that has been used for organizing home lighting systems for more than a century.

Product General Description

It creates a pleasant radiation in shades of warm colors and does not irritate the eye even with prolonged glow. It has a low level of efficiency, since in the process of work it is very hot and spends about 97% of the energy resource on this.

The flask consists of heat-resistant glass with a high level of transparency and passes the maximum amount of generated light energy

It uses a lot of energy to illuminate a standard living space and is considered economically disadvantageous compared to more progressive light sources.

The service life is about 1,000 hours and directly depends on the correct operating conditions of the device.More than affordable price attracts buyers, and they often prefer this particular light source only because it is cheaper than others.

Despite the minuses, incandescent devices can be used where the light turns on often, but not for long. More economical units often do not withstand constant on / off, and Edison bulbs carry it quite calmly

However, the benefits here are false. You have to change incandescent bulbs with enviable regularity, and electricity bills literally “eat up” within a month what you managed to save at the time of the initial purchase.

Design and principle of operation

The top of incandescent lamps is a pear-shaped sealed flask made of heat-resistant transparent glass. Partially, air was pumped out of it and replaced with an inert gas. It is because of this that the working tungsten filament does not burn out during heating.

Two electrodes and molybdenum holders are attached to the leg located inside. They fix the body of the glow, not allowing it to sag and tear under the weight of its own weight during heating.

The narrowed part of the flask is mounted in the body of a metal base, designed for screwing into a plug cartridge. The spiral thread is a contact with a soldered electrode.

Bulbs "Ilyich" are mainly equipped with a classic screw base. The most common sizes are E14, E27 and E40. They are most often used for lighting residential premises

The second contact is located at the bottom of the base and is equipped with a ring insulation around the circumference, which prevents its contact with the body of the base.

Unchanged in classic incandescent bulbs always only positions such as:

• glow body;
• bulb part;
• working electrodes.

Other elements, depending on operational requirements and features, may be absent, have a different structural appearance, or supplemented by related parts.

The spectral palette of modules differs from daylight by the predominance of yellow and red shades, which significantly distorts the color perception of objects

The principle of operation of the device is based on the glowing of an internal tungsten element of an arcuate shape. At the moment of passage of current, it heats, reaching a temperature of 2600 ... 3000 ° C, and converts electrical energy into light. The lamp bulb is evacuated or filled with a special gas in which tungsten is not oxidized.

Advantages and disadvantages of products

The pluses of the devices include instant ignition, the absence of flicker harmful to the human eye, constantly the same warm spectral range of glow, noiselessness during combustion, immunity to sudden voltage drops, and the ability to adjust brightness using a dimmer.

Making incandescent bulbs is very cheap. Manufacturers have the ability to make modules of any power under a network voltage from a few volts to several kilowatts

Products perfectly show themselves in a wide temperature range from extremely high to low marks and do not need accompanying starting devices for activation. They function correctly with current flows of any polarity, do not create radio interference and are subject to trouble-free disposal due to the absence of toxic substances in the composition.

The first place among the negative factors is the lowest efficiency. For a hundred-watt bulb, this indicator is only 15%, and for a sixty-watt bulb no more than 5%.

Only the increase in the temperature of the glow can increase the numbers, however, at the same time, the service life of the tungsten element is reduced by several times and the expediency of the procedure is lost. The short operational period, vulnerability to vibration, shaking and mechanical damage do not increase attractiveness either.

If the voltage in the supply network drops below standard levels, the service life of the glow modules is significantly reduced

Economical light sources do not include incandescent lamps. They “eat up” the largest amount of power at the time of launch. Then consumption decreases by 5-10 times, but still significantly exceeds the indicators that other lighting products demonstrate.

What are luminescents

A fluorescent lamp is a gas-discharge artificial radiation source suitable for lighting residential premises. Demonstrates good efficiency and in terms of light output exceeds the capabilities of classic incandescent devices.

The first luminescent had the form of an elongated, sealed on both sides, cylindrical tube with mercury vapor. Now manufacturers make lamps of more original forms.

They are divided into high and low pressure devices. The former are used for street lighting, while the latter are intended for residential premises. The service life declared by the manufacturer is 5 years, provided that the number of starts per day does not exceed 5 times.

The gamma of luminescence in luminescents is incredibly wide and includes all shades of white ranging from the coldest to the natural and warm

The device and the nuances of functioning. Constructively fluorescent lamp, depending on the version, consists of a tube or bulb with one or two socles located at the edges.

It is filled with mercury vapor. After activation, a glow discharge appears between the electrodes in the flask and ultraviolet radiation is created in the mercury medium. The phosphor coating located inside converts it into saturated light radiation perceived by the human eye.

The luminescent type module, connected to the power supply system by means of an electronic ballast, practically does not buzz during operation and does not flicker

Lower the values ​​of the base current flow to the correct indicators electromagnetic or electronic ballasts or ballasts. Without these additional elements, the full operation of the lamps is impossible.

Pluses of modules. The following characteristics are in the list of advantages of luminescent:

• effective light output;
• higher level of efficiency;
• operational stability;
• good power and light flux density;
• an extensive spectrum of glow in the warm and cold ranges;
• service life of about 5 years, subject to the necessary conditions.

Reasonable energy consumption, 5 times less than that of incandescent lamps, allows us to classify luminescent products as economical sources of radiation. They make it possible to efficiently cover large-sized premises, without overpaying for utility bills.

During operation, the luminescent bulb element is heated to a temperature of not more than 50 degrees. Due to this moment, lamps are allowed for operation in living rooms where fire safety is especially important

Disadvantages of devices. Among the negative qualities of the products, there is a more complex switching scheme, which includes the presence of starting elements. As well as a limited 150 W unit power and a noticeable decrease in light saturation at the end of the operational period.

Ballasts, without which the fluorescent lamp is not able to function, provoke a significant loss of energy, comprising 25-35% of the power of the light source

In addition, the devices react to lower temperatures and go out and do not turn on when the indicators are too low. In the process, they emit specific acoustic noise and pulsate, having a negative effect on the eyes of those present in the room, and when the mains voltage drops by 10 or more percent of the nominal, they cease to light up.

The mercury contained inside makes it very difficult lamp recycling process. It is not possible to send them to a regular garbage container near the house. After all, if the integrity of the flask is violated, the harmful substance enters the atmosphere and releases toxic fumes that adversely affect humans and the environment.

Correct disposal is carried out by specially authorized enterprises, but the reception of lamps there takes place on certain days and the user has to guess the time in order to get rid of the luminescents that have expired.

Why are halogens interesting?

Halogen is a modern, more progressive variation of a traditional incandescent lamp. Filled with buffer gas vapor. Due to this, the working temperature of the spiral element and the service life of the lighting product are increased.

Halogens have the highest color rendering. This indicator for them is 99-100%, which is an absolute record in the environment of light sources.

The devices are presented in various standard configurations and can be built into fixtures of the most unusual modifications, in furniture elements and in systems that create spot lighting.

Distinctive features of lamps. Halogens provide the room with a bright, saturated and dense light throughout the life of the unit. Due to their compact size, they can be mounted in very small fixtures or built into fragments of the interior.

Despite their modest dimensions, they have uniquely high light output and, with equal power, produce much more light than conventional incandescent modules.

Halogen light sources show the highest level of efficiency in small flasks. Some manufacturers even produce lamps that are immediately equipped with such a lamp

The main disadvantage is the vulnerability to mechanical damage and frequent on / off. Both of these parameters significantly reduce the life of the lamps and contribute to their rapid failure.

The conditional operating period, according to manufacturers, is 2000-4000 hours, which significantly exceeds the capabilities of incandescent modules. However with LEDs halogen bulbs they cannot compete, against their background they look more attractive only in the context of a low price.

Unique specifics of LED models

LED bulbs (LED) are the most advanced radiation source available for use in home lighting systems. Inside contains one or more diodes, which generate saturated full light.

LED lamps are made from completely safe materials. There are no toxic substances in the composition, so the products are suitable for installation in any premises of a residential building, including children's rooms

Working diode cells rarely burn out. Due to this, the ice modules do not show sensitivity to regular on / off and serve reliably for many years.

Benefits of LED Bulbs. The list of positive qualities is very long. The lamps are completely non-toxic and completely safe for the health of both children and adults. They do not need specific, complex disposal.

With minimal consumption, they provide a bright, saturated light flow, do not create harmful ultraviolet radiation and do not provoke burnout of furniture, interior elements and decor items.

Lamps on diodes have a high structural strength and are not afraid of falls or shocks. They give a nice light without blinking

Variety of shapes, cap sizes and configurations allows you to complete with LED sconces or any type of chandelier. This applies not only to modern, but also rare lighting devices.

The units are reproached only with the high initial cost, but in the end it pays off and is even more than compensated by lower utility bills and a prolonged operational life.

Selection Rules and Tips

Knowing exactly what is being used light bulbs for home, you can easily select the best option for radiation sources to provide a comfortable, convenient to operate, operation resistant and cost-effective lighting system in a residential building.

What is better for wet rooms

For bathrooms and kitchens where the humidity level is especially high, traditional incandescent options are not too suitable. In addition to high energy consumption, they get too hot during operation and, if accidentally spilled, can explode and cause injury to nearby people. Better to take safe energy saving type.

Even if a voltage drop is observed in the network, LEDs, unlike other radiation sources, will not feel this and will not work worse. Their design and equipment make it possible to function correctly in the range of 180-260 W

Halogens consume little energy, but are vulnerable to moisture and, being in such aggressive conditions, fail after a short time. Luminescent is not suitable because of the noise emitted during operation, the presence of toxic substances in the composition and not too pleasant color spectrum, more appropriate for workrooms.

The most successful solution in this case is LED products. They provide a good light flow of the desired level of intensity, do not heat up and do not consume excess energy.

Due to the variety of socles, they can be built into the lamp of any, even the most unexpected configuration, without violating the stylistic design of the bath room.

How to illuminate living rooms?

You can’t say exactly which bulbs are 100% better for home. To equip a high-quality lighting system in residential premises, they need to be selected carefully and carefully.

Many customers are primarily focused on the cost-effectiveness of light sources, and rightly so, because you have to pay monthly electricity bills, which regularly rise in price.

LED bulbs are the most economical, and incandescent bulbs are the most voracious. Halogens and luminescents occupy middle positions and eat not so little resource as the first, but not as much as the second.

The longest life span is demonstrated by LED models. They, subject to operating standards, can work from 25,000 hours or more

An equally important parameter when choosing is efficiency. It determines how light the room will be and is usually measured in lumens. The indicator is placed on the packaging of the lamp and is visible to the consumer even before the purchase. The higher the numbers indicated, the better the selected lamp will illuminate the room.

By this criterion, LEDs are seriously ahead of the rest of the clan of lighting devices. With the same consumption of electricity, they supply 10 times more powerful light flux than Edison bulbs.

The efficiency of diode products is at least 90%. Both halogens and luminescents show lower values, and for incandescent lamps they do not exceed 5-10%, depending on the power.

To create a lighting in the room equal to the effect of a 100-watt incandescent lamp, just screw the LED module into 10-12 W

The base with which the lamp is equipped also plays a significant role. For domestic use, mainly use standard types of socles: pin or screw.

The former have 3 of the most common species, varying in size:

• E14 - minion - inserted into narrow cartridges;
• E27 - classic - can be mounted in standard modules;
• E40 - maxi - are intended for large-sized devices.

All light sources with threaded caps are suitable for sconces, chandeliers and other similar products of any configuration. Specialists do not recommend LEDs in enclosed fixtures.

Pins are slightly less common and are mainly used in modern lighting designs as in ceiling systemsso and table lamps.

The size and appearance of the radiation source is also of great importance. No one wants a lamp of inappropriate dimensions sticking out of a spectacular sconce or a beautiful ceiling. The widest selection of interpretations and forms is demonstrated by LEDs.

In their product line you can find:

• miniature models that can be conveniently integrated into a furniture element or into a stretch ceiling;
• standard products of a familiar configuration, suitable not only for a modern lamp, but also for an old-style chandelier;
• products of a specific form, not only giving light, but also bearing a design load.

All other radiation sources cannot boast of such diversity.

Not in the last place is the primary cost of products. Classic incandescent lamps lead the way. Their price is minimal and, thanks to this factor, they are still in demand among buyers. In the middle price range are luminescent and halogen.

In one lamp there should always be lamps of the same type, only then it can work for a long time and correctly, qualitatively lighting the room

LEDs are much more expensive and sometimes the price scares away potential buyers. But if you think well, it will become clear that the costs justify themselves in all respects. By power and color temperature You can choose literally any option.

After installing the diodes, all the rooms in the house receive excellent lighting, harmless to the eyes. Utility bills are reduced and running into the store after working to buy a light bulb instead of another burnt one does not take a very long time.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video # 1. Tips for choosing indoor light sources:

Video # 2. Comparison of all parameters of lamps of different types:

Video # 3. A detailed overview of home lighting:

The choice of a light bulb depends on the requirements for safety and operational stability, the frequency of activation, the planned light intensity and price. Perhaps the most successful combination will be of several types of lamps, in which each will demonstrate maximum efficiency in certain conditions.

What kind of lighting devices do you prefer? Personally share your criteria in choosing light sources for arranging your own home / apartment / office. Please leave comments in the block below, ask questions about interesting or unclear points, post a photo on the topic of the article.