Light bulbs? We’ll show you the way

A simple bulb can make all the difference to your lighting

We see it all the time: people spending a great deal of thought on which lamps to buy and what shades will go with them. BUT they don’t give a second thought to the bulbs which can make all the difference in the world.

Different light bulbs are not just about what fitting they go with or how bright they are, although these two things are very important. You can also choose what sort of light you want – natural or daylight – whether it should be energy-efficient and should it be dimmable.

Once again, you’ve come to the right place to explore your options because you’ll find every light bulb you could possibly need right here at lights.ie.

What types of bulbs do you have?

We have lots of different types of light bulbs, including:

• Traditional light bulbs in bayonet (E27) or screw-in (E14), both large and small fittings
• Incandescent bulbs which produce more heat than light and are being phased out
• Halogen bulbs which are 20% more efficient than incandescent bulbs
• Fluorescent tubes which are long life and low energy light sources
• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) which are like fluorescent tubes but smaller
• Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs which are the most efficient of all

How long do light bulbs last?

That really depends on the type of bulb. Fluorescent tubes, CFLs and LEDs last between 10,000 and 24,000 burning hours. Incandescent bulbs last about 1,000 burning hours and halogen bulbs about twice that.

Are all light bulbs dimmable?

No, but most are (except fluorescents). To be sure, check the technical specifications for the bulb you’re interested in. It should say “Dimmable: Yes”.

What different styles of light bulbs are there?

Light bulbs come in all sorts of shapes and designs for all kinds of purposes, including:

• Filament-style bulbs are often used without lampshades and are features in themselves
• Candle-style bulbs resemble a flame and are great for chandeliers
• Globe bulbs are round bulbs usually used in decorative fittings
• Half chrome bulbs have a sort of a mirror coating on the top half to protect your eyes when the bulb is facing you
• Coloured bulbs are usually used for decorative purposes

Which are the most environmentally-friendly light bulbs?

LED lights are the best for the environment as they use very little electricity and last for a long time. CFLs and fluorescent tubes would also be considered quite green as they use less power but they contain a small amount of mercury and that’s not good for Mother Nature.

How do I dispose of light bulbs?

You can dispose of incandescent and halogen bulbs in your normal household waste. LEDs, CFLs and florescent tubes must go to your recycling centre.

Ok, this is where it gets complicated. But, since you asked… Technicians measure luminous colour, or light temperature, in units of Kelvin (K). Zero Kelvin is actually minus 273°C. The higher the temperature of a thermal radiator is, the “colder” the light looks. Some bulb manufacturers vary in their measurements, but generally the following scales are correct:

• Warm white 2700 K – 3300 K
• Universal white: 3300 K – 5300 K
• Daylight: Over 5300 K

LED and energy-saving bulbs are not thermal radiators, but their luminous colour is described by the Kelvin-value that they are closest to.

While traditional bulbs produce a warm, golden light, halogen bulbs can only produce a whiter, sharper “daylight”.

What does E27, E14, GU10, etc, stand for?

These codes refer to the base type or fitting on the bottom of the bulb:

B15d or SBC

• 15 mm base diameter
• Smaller bayonet collar base with two contacts

B22d or BC

• 22 mm base diameter
• Larger or standard bayonet collar base with two contacts

E14

• 14 mm base diameter
• Smaller screw base

E27

• 27 mm base diameter
• Larger or standard screw base

E10

• 10 mm base diameter
• Miniature screw base

E12

• 12 mm base diameter
• Candelabra screw base

E26

• 26 mm base diameter
• Medium screw base

E40

• 40 mm base diameter
• Large screw base

G, GU or GX5,3

• 5.3 mm between pin centres
• Multiple pin type base

G4

• 4 mm between pin centres
• Multiple pin type base

G5

• 5 mm between pin centres
• Multiple pin type base

G9

• 9 mm between pin centres
• Multiple pin type base

G13

• 13 mm between pin centres
• Multiple pin type base

G53

• 53 mm between pin centres
• Multiple pin type base

Have traditional incandescent light bulbs been banned?

Yes. In October 2009, incandescent light bulbs were banned in Europe as they are not environmentally friendly or energy efficient. However, incandescent bulbs that have already been produced and are “in stock” can still be sold.