Shedding light on... light bulbs

Watt's s up, Doc? Approximately two billion light bulbs are sold each year in the United States, but most people are still in the dark when it comes to buying these little light sources. Let's start with the basic types FEATURES Incandescent Halogen Fluorescent CFL HID LED Watts 3-500 5-500 5-500 3-120 35-1500 2.5-16 Price $$ $$ $$ $$$ $$$ Life Span (hrs) 750-2,000 24,000-36,000 8,000-20,000 2,000-4,000 10,000-24,000 40,00-50,000 Energy Costs $$ $$ $$ Uhat about color? Color temperature refers to the color of the light when a bulb is illuminated 2700K 3000K 3500K 4100K 5500K 6500K Warm Neutral + Cool Daylight inviting, comfortable, friendly efficient, stable clean, fresh lively, vibrant, dynamic De you know your shapes? BULGED TUBE T4 12V TABLE LAMPS SPORTS, T4 BT SPECIALTY INDUSTRIAL G8 120V G8 KITCHEN, BATHROOM CIR CIRCLINE CHANDELIERS, ACCENT LIGHTING TRACK LIGHTS MIRRORED BLUNT TIP RECESSED CANS REFLECTOR As bulbs become more energy efficient, watts no longer correspond to how bright a bulb will shine. Lumens measure the amount of light from a bulb. Go with the Lumens! ↑ lumens ↑ light Rule of Thumb 100 watt 1600 lumens 75 watt 1100 lumens 60 watt 800 lumens 40 watt 450 lumens SOURCES http://www.bulbs.com/learning/arl.aspx http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/lumens-and-lighting-facts-label http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c-cfls.pr_cfls_color http://www.lowes.com/cd_Light+Bulb+Buying+Guide_167459951 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303745304576357 320903322848.html?mod- WSJ_HomeAndGarden_MiddleTopHeadlines#project%3DBULB0601%26article Tabs%3Darticle Porch porch.com http://www.westinghouselighting.com/color-temperature.aspx MIIE SHAPE TUBULAR GLOBE NAME ARBITRARY Il SPIRAL, TWIST G. SYMBOL APPLIANCES, PICTURES VANITY FIXTURE, PENDANT LIGHTS GENERAL PURPOSE GENERAL PURPOSE SAw TABLE LAMPS MR RECESSED CANS TRACK LIGHTS SECURITY AXTURES CESSED CANS PAR ALUMINIZED ACKUGHTS TRACK LIGHTS R/K CA REFLECTOR CANDLE REFLECTOR PARABOUC BULK REFLECTOR BR/R