Residential and business 120VAC light bulbs
Standard tungsten / incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and CFL, and LED residential and business light bulbs
In this article, the standard voltage of 120VAC will be discussed. Standard tungsten light bulbs are now the least efficient as to lumens / watt (lumens per watt). Lumens is a measure of light output.
To get 700 to 800 lumens of light output, you’ll need to use the following approx. wattage ratings of different bulbs:
- Standard tungsten / incandescent (least efficient at 60w requirement)
- Next is the whiter light of a halogen bulb at 30w to 45w
- Next is straight fluorescent and CFL at 14w,
- And most efficient are the LED bulbs (any shape) requiring only 9w.
Bulb temperatures:
Halogen / Quartz Halogen is the hottest-burning bulb at the inner bulb area. The outer glass enclosure area of the standard-shaped bulb and of the reflector-type flood or spot light bulb will get very hot, however, not near as hot as the main, small, inner quartz bulb area.
2nd hottest-burning bulb is the standard tungsten / incandescent bulb
2nd coolest-burning bulb is the fluorescent and CFL type. Ballast area would normally be hotter than the bulb area.
Coolest-burning bulb is the LED, however, the transformer heat sink area normally gets quite hot after bulb has been turned on for at least a few minutes. Some “LED” bulbs, like the Cree-type are different than the standard type and the bulb may burn a little hotter than other LED’s.
Some halogen bulbs are mounted behind clear UV filters, however, many of them are not. The amount of UVR a halogen bulb produces is planned to be researched soon. It’s probably only a small amount.
“Daylight” bulb options are available for the fluorescent and CFL bulbs, and also for the LED bulbs.
IMPORTANT: When purchasing any bulb, please read any special instructions or specifications. For example, only some (not all) LED bulbs are rated for enclosed fixtures or for outdoor use. Always thoroughly read all the specifications of light bulbs before purchase, for proper and safest use.
All bulbs except fluorescent / CFL types can be turned on and off as often as needed. Fluorescent / CFL bulbs are designed to remain on for long periods at a time (min. 15 min. is recommended) to get the most life expectancy out of them.
