Shedding Light on Common Lighting Questions
With so many different types of lighting on the market, it can be difficult to know which option is right for you. We’ve made it easy for you by identifying all of the benefits and differences between each type of bulb, what different lighting metrics mean, and how to choose the lighting that is best for you!
What is recessed lighting?
Recessed lighting is a type of lighting designed to install flush into the ceiling or wall.
How to Replace Recessed Lighting with LED?
- Turn off the lights and shut off the circuit breaker
- Pull down the housing just a few inches
- Turn housing clockwise and pull it straight down
- Unplug the old recessed light fixture or bulb from the socket
- Connect replacement fixture to the wiring
- Insert the housing into its original place, rotating it until it sits level with the ceiling
What is the difference between LED, CFL, and incandescent bulbs?
With so many different types of lighting on the market, it can be difficult to know which option is right for you. So, we’ve made it easy for you and identified all of the benefits and differences between each type of bulb.
Benefits of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)
LED light bulbs are the most energy-efficient bulbs, converting over 90% of electricity into light. So if you’re looking to upgrade your lighting sustainably, this is the best type of lighting. LEDs also have extremely long lifespans and can last up to 25,000 hours or more. (NuWatt’s LEDs specifically last longer than 30,000 hours.) This means that you’ll not only have to hassle with changing the bulbs less frequently, but you’ll also be saving money over time!
Additionally, LED lights have very low heat emission, so they are safe for various applications. They also have a wide range of color temperatures and high CRI, so you can customize each fixture to your individual lighting needs!
What Are CFL Lights (Compact Fluorescent Lamps)?
CFL light bulbs are the middle tier option when it comes to lighting: they’re not the best, but they’re also not the worst. This type of lighting typically lasts up to 10,000 hours (which is still a significant lifespan) and only emits a moderate amount of heat. Because of this, CFL lighting is less efficient than LED, but still more efficient than incandescent lights. The color range of CFL lights is also slightly limited compared to LED lighting, but you still have customizable options.
What Are Incandescent Bulbs?
Incandescent light bulbs are the least energy-efficient type of lighting as much of the electricity is converted into heat. As a result, incandescent lighting can be a fire risk. Additionally, this type of lighting is limited mostly to a warm, yellowish color and only lasts around 1,000 hours.
What is the difference between Lumens and Wattage?
When shopping for the right lighting for your home or business project, it’s important to understand the different metrics used to determine a light’s features. For example, Lumens and Wattage are key indicators of what each specific type of lighting has to offer.
Lumens indicate how bright a light is while Wattage is used to measure the amount of electrical power consumed. It is a common misconception that a higher Wattage indicates a higher Lumen count. This is not the case. In the past, when incandescent lighting was the most common type of lighting, a higher wattage (more energy) was associated with a brighter bulb. However, with new LED lighting technology, we can now achieve brighter Lumens without increasing the Wattage which in turn, decreases energy consumption.
What is Kelvin (CCT) in LED lighting?
Another important lighting indicator to consider is Kelvins. Kelvin is the unit used to describe the color temperature of a light source. Lighting with Kelvins ranging from 2000K-3000K would be considered “low” and produce a warm, cozy, often yellowish hue. This type of lighting would be ideal for a cozy library or den in your home! Anything from 3500K-4500K is considered “medium” and would produce a neutral light which is often great for offices and workspaces. Finally, anything 5000K and above is considered “high” and produces a cool, bluish light. A light with a high Kelvin rating mimics the look of natural daylight and is great for living rooms or open business spaces!
Understanding each of the different types of Kelvin ratings is crucial when determining the ambience of your home or business setting. Do you want it to feel cozy and welcoming or bright like daylight? Or maybe, you want a neutral lighting option that is good for keeping people focused throughout the day. All of NuWatt’s LED lighting are selectable CCT and will take the guesswork out of picking the right lighting hue for your space!
What does “CRI” mean, and why is it important?
CRI stands for Color Rendering Index. This particular lighting metric is a scale from zero to 100 that measures how accurately a light source displays colors. A higher CRI means that the light source will render colors more faithfully to how they would appear under natural light.
Not to be confused with CCT, CRI does not refer to the color of light. Instead it refers to how a light will cause other objects underneath it will appear. The closer a light’s CRI measurement is to 100, the more accurate the light rendering will be. For example, if you’re looking for lighting for a photo studio, retail spaces, or any other place where a piece of merchandise is on display, you’ll want to choose something with a higher CRI to ensure the product looks more attractive. In residential settings like bedrooms and living rooms, a high CRI is equally important, as it enhances the accuracy of colors in your interior décor and contributes to creating a more visually comforting environment.
Ready to choose the lighting that’s best for you? Shop NuWatt’s extensive collections now!