Picking a lightbulb is always an excruciating exercise.
We've all been there:
One of our light bulbs has burned out and we calmly head to the bulb section of our favorite home hardware store. Serenity is followed by panic: we are suddenly faced with a gazillion references of light bulbs with specifications, each one less clear than the last:
« 60W Equivalent », « 250 lumens », « 60HZ », « 4500K », « 230V », « E27 »...
Faced with this excess of information, we all have the same reflexes:
We jump on the first salesperson we see to ask for their help, but "it's not their department"
So we tell ourselves that we are going to use exactly the same model even if we know that it didn't quite meet our needs.
Finally, as we can't find it, we turn to another model that seems to fit, only to have bought the wrong one.
In this article, we will shed light on this issue and give you the best advice for choosing a light bulb.
Lumens
Lumens are the true unit of measurement for light output.
If some bulbs indicate an equivalence in Watts, it is because at one time, electricity consumption was used as an indicator of brightness.
But since the advent of LEDs, which consume 5 to 10 times less, Watts are no longer a consistent scale.
So how do I know how many lumens I need for my fixture?
N°1: The Wrong Way: the size of the room
Most of the articles you read about light output will try to give you a mathematical formula that will allow you to calculate the number of lumens you need for the size of your room.
But that's not the right basis for making your choice.
N°2 : Fixture types
Each fixture has a specific lighting function.
As a general rule, limit the power of a light point to a maximum of 1000 lumens .
There are 6 main types of fixtures:
The chandeliers:
In addition to its function of illuminating, the chandelier usually has a decorative purpose that requires you to choose your bulbs carefully. Its power depends on the number of light points and therefore the number of bulbs attached to it. Opt for a total output of 800 to 1200 lumens, depending on the number of bulbs and the size of your chandelier.
Ceiling lamps:
Hung from the ceiling like chandeliers and higher up, they are generally intended to illuminate the room as much as possible on their own.
This is not the ideal type of light fixture as they are often too bright. However, if you think the ceiling light is made for your space, go for a total output of 800 to 1500 lumens depending on its size.
Lamps:
These are the "free-standing" fixtures whose task is to dimly illuminate a space.
Opt for a total output of 450 lumens, or even less, if you have more than one. The lamps are usually at eye level and should not blind you.
Floor lamps:
Relatives of the table lamps, they can in some cases be the only source of light in a room. In this case, opt for a maximum output of 800 lumens.
If, on the other hand, the floor lamp is a decorative element, turn to a power of 450 lumens.
Wall lamps:
When we install wall lamps, we usually install them in groups. They emit a light towards the ceiling which makes them more discreet lamps.
Opt for a maximum output of 600 lumens. If the light intensity is important, so is the color.
No. 3: Time of day
This criterion is often left to chance: in reality, almost all of our lighting should change in intensity during the day.
It should illuminate during the day if daylight is not enough and especially not be too intense in the evening.
Inadequate lighting can have dramatic consequences on our health.
Didn't get it?
If all this information sounds like something out of a witch's spellbook and you still can't seem to get over it: don't worry, we have the ultimate solution.
Laqi Circadian is a light bulb that automatically adapts its light intensity according to its environment, the light in which it is located and our health!
This way, you can be sure that you are not making a mistake.
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