Background information
A painstaking conversion: lights off for conventional fluorescent bulbs
by Lorenz Keller
If you can no longer see the light because of all the lamps, a buying guide will come from somewhere
8.10.2019
Translation: machine translated
Are you looking for the right light source for your four walls and are in the dark? Then let this guide be your light at the end of the tunnel.
First published on 31 January 2018There are many light sources. But which one is right for you and your needs? I have put together a guide to help you with your decision.
Decorative light
Decorative lighting is primarily designed to create artistic accents in your home and not to brightly illuminate a room. They allow for creative freedom and create a warm, soft atmosphere, especially in combination with wood. It is best to use LED filament bulbs, the successors to the classic light bulb. These look very similar to them thanks to glowing LED filaments, also produce a warm light and are also energy-saving.
Intelligent lighting
Would you like to control the light intensity and colour and the associated mood from the comfort of your sofa? Then smart lighting is just what you need. These can be easily dimmed using a remote control or smartphone.
Accent lighting
Spot lighting can help you create precise and controlled beams of light. This allows you to emphasise certain objects, such as works of art, in a room.
Work lights
Powerful lighting can take the strain off your eyes when reading and writing. Indirect lighting is best for this, as it doesn't dazzle you and at the same time creates a pleasant working atmosphere.
Basic lighting
If you only need to light up a hallway or bathroom, energy-saving lamps are suitable.
A little basic knowledge
So that you can make sense of the product specifications, you will find a list of the most important terms and their meanings below.
Wattage
The wattage is the unit of measurement for the power that a light source can provide. Make absolutely sure that the wattage of your light source is never greater than the maximum wattage of the lamp, otherwise there is a risk of fire. Conversely, you can use a bulb with a lower wattage than the lamp without any problems.
Lumen
The lumens provide information about the amount of light emitted by the light bulb. In other words, the more lumens a light source has, the brighter the light. If you want to illuminate a room of around 10 square metres, you should buy one with at least 1,000 lumens.
Lamp socket and base
Before you look for the right bulb for the lamp you have already purchased, you should take a closer look at the bulb holder to make sure that the new bulb will fit into the thread.
Bulb shape
There are many different shapes of light bulbs to choose from. The shape itself has no influence on the light distribution. It is only important that the selected shape fits the place of use visually and is not too large or too small for the lampshade . Lifespan
The service life of a light source is generally specified in hours, whereby it usually refers to the so-called "average burning time". This indicates the period of time after which fifty per cent of the light sources in a lighting system fail . Colour temperature
The temperature of a light source is specified in Kelvin (K). 5,000 K roughly corresponds to white daylight. For a more cosy atmosphere in the living room or on the bedside table, light sources with a temperature between 2,000 K and 3,000 K are suitable. For workspaces, a light temperature between 4,000 and 6,000 K is recommended.
Energy efficiency
You can tell whether a light source is energy-efficient or not by its energy efficiency class (EEK), which is shown on the packaging. A+++ is the most economical and environmentally friendly class.
The following table provides an overview of the differences between all light bulb types.
And now good luck with your search. 💡
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
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