There are many forms of lighting available these days from crystal chandeliers through to modern ceiling lights. With energy conservation in mind look at the bulb type you are going to use and its purpose to start with. Our preference is to fit LED lights because they are very efficient and although there is a costlier initial outlay you should recoup this through the reduced electricity consumed.
So how do they compare? The first thing to know is that the old method of using Watts to compare the amount of light you will get is no longer the best way. Instead, Lumens are used as a way of measuring the total quantity of visible light rather than the amount of energy consumed.
The below table shows the different lumens from the different types of bulb available today together with the incandescents bulb value in watts.
| Lumens | CFL | Halogen | LED | Incandescent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | 4-9 | ~18 | 3 | 25 |
| 450 | 9-13 | ~28 | 4-5 | 40 |
| 800 | 13-15 | ~43 | 6-8 | 60 |
| 1600 | 23-30 | ~72 | 16-20 | 100 |
| 2500 | 30-55 | ~110 | 25-28 | 150 |
*Note these figures are only an illustration. The actual wattage/lumen can vary depending on the make and style of the bulb.
Where to buy ? Many places stock LED bulbs these days but prices and quality can vary.
Some of the suppliers we have used are below.