One of the most energy-efficient lightbulb types, it gives off no heat, contains no mercury, and emits a bright light. They provide directional light so they are great for task lighting. Some light fixtures come with LED lights built-in and are referred to as integrated LED. They are long lasting (up to 50,000 hours) and are great for hard-to-reach places.

Incandescent: These are the most commonly used type of bulb and are usually the least expensive. They emit a warm light, can be used with dimmers, and usually last up to a year – longer than halogen lightbulbs, but not as long as CFL or LED lightbulbs. They are also not as energy-efficient as other lightbulb types.

Compact Fluorescent (CFL): These energy-efficient bulbs can emit a wide range of colors depending on the model you choose. They often take some time to warm up and get brighter. Use these to illuminate large spaces, such as basements, great rooms, and kitchens. They are less expensive than LED lights and can last longer than incandescent lights. These lightbulbs contain mercury, so you want to handle them carefully. Once they burn out, they are recyclable.

Halogen: These lights emit a white light that simulates high-noon daylight. Energy-efficient and dimmable, they are great for recessed lighting, pendant lights, and under cabinet lighting. This lightbulb has the shortest lifespan of the four. However, it is important to note that they warm quickly, so they should be kept away from fire-hazardous materials.

Watts refer to how much energy the lightbulb uses. The more wattage a light requires the more power it will consume to produce light. To emit a brighter light, the bulb will also need a higher wattage. For example, a 200 watt bulb will use more power than a 100 watt bulb, but it will also give off more light. However, LED lightbulbs are compatible with any fixture no matter what the wattage requirement is. what are watts

Lumens refer to the amount of light that is radiated, or the lightbulb brightness. Similar to watts, the higher the lumen, the brighter the light. To understand how many lumens you need, you must first find the square footage of the room or area you are trying to light. To find the square footage, multiply the room's length by the width.

We recommend 20 lumens per square foot for most rooms, but check out the table below to see how many lumens you need for every room in your home. However, if you have extra-dark rooms or dark wall paneling, we recommend adding an additional 10 lumens per square foot.

Remember that the total number of lumens can be spread across a few different light fixtures throughout the room. One light fixture doesn't have to handle all the lumens required to light your space.