Since replacing traditional incandescent bulbs, energy-saving bulbs now come in a choice of compact fluorescent light (CFL – the standard energy-saving type), LED and halogen. In this post, we’ll help you decide which type and wattage of bulb you should use with your lampshades.
CFL bulbs are cheap and widely available and four times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. LED are the most energy efficient type of energy-saving bulb. They are costly, but likely to last around 25 years. Lastly, halogen bulbs are very similar to incandescent bulbs in terms of colour and quality, but are also similar in terms of their energy output, so they are costly to run.
Wattage, or lumens, refers to the brightness of the light. Back when incandescent lights were widely used, brightness was measured in watts. Now that energy-saving bulbs have replaced these older bulbs, bulbs use a lot less power to achieve the same brightness, so this is a less useful measure. Instead, the brightness of the light is now measured in lumens: the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light.
So what wattage should I use?
A good rule of thumb when buying a light bulb for your lampshade is that around 400 lumens would be sufficient for a bedside table. Therefore, you would need a CFL bulb of 9W, a halogen bulb of 28W, or an LED bulb of 6W to achieve a suitable level of brightness.
To illuminate your living room, on the other hand, you might need between 1,500 and 3000 lumens in total, which you could achieve by using more than one bulb. To get a brightness of 1300 lumens or more, you could use a CFL bulb of 20W, a halogen bulb of 70W or an LED bulb of 18W.
To achieve a suitable level of brightness for your living room, for example, you could use two CFL bulbs of 20W. Why not use one 20W bulb in a ceiling light for general lighting, and another 20W bulb for the corner of the room in an ambient table light?
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FAQs
A good rule of thumb when buying a light bulb for your lampshade is that around 400 lumens would be sufficient for a bedside table. Therefore, you would need a CFL bulb of 9W, a halogen bulb of 28W, or an LED bulb of 6W to achieve a suitable level of brightness.
What wattage bulb do I need for a lamp? ›
A Lamp? You should check the label on the lamp to find out what lightbulb wattage to use. Most lamps can accommodate a maximum of 60 watts, and you shouldn't exceed the maximum wattage. However, you can use a lower wattage lightbulb than the stated maximum, even if it's brighter than average.
How do I know what wattage bulb to use? ›
How to Determine Safe Lightbulbs for Fixtures
- Inspect Ceiling or Wall Fixtures. ...
- Inspect Table or Floor Lamps. ...
- Find the Wattage Rating of Your Light Fixture. ...
- Understand Differences Between Incandescent, CFL, and LED. ...
- Screw in a Safe Bulb.
The primary reason socket and fixture manufacturers indicate a "MAX WATTAGE" specification is to reduce the risk of fire caused by too much wattage being carried through the socket's wiring as well as from the heat released by the incandescent bulb.
How to know what light bulb to buy for a lamp? ›
How To Find The Right Light Bulb: A Step-By-Step Guide
- Determine what fitting or cap type you need. ...
- Decide if you want CFL, halogen, or LED. ...
- Consider brightness and colour. ...
- Find the best shape. ...
- Try Our Bulb Finder.
A good rule of thumb when buying a light bulb for your lampshade is that around 400 lumens would be sufficient for a bedside table. Therefore, you would need a CFL bulb of 9W, a halogen bulb of 28W, or an LED bulb of 6W to achieve a suitable level of brightness.
Which is better 40-watt or 60 watt for lamp? ›
The main difference between a 40 and 60-watt bulb is the 40-watt bulb is going to require less energy to power. For a traditional incandescent bulb, this also means a difference in lumens; the higher wattage will yield more light.
What happens if you put a 75 watt bulb in a 60 watt lamp? ›
Wattage That is Too High
This is also referred to as “overlamping”. While this may not seem like too big of an issue, it is. It could result in the actual socket melting. As this happens, the insulative casing surrounding the wires within the fixture will also become worn.
What happens if you use a wrong wattage bulb? ›
Overheating can occur if a light bulb with a high wattage is used. The lamp socket itself and the wire insulation could melt with this kind of heat. If it happens, arc faults are possible, which could result in damage or possibly a fire. If you overlamp, you'll ruin your light fixture for good.
How many watts bulb do I need? ›
The most common types of light bulb used in homes are 25, 40, 60, 75 and 100 watts. For most rooms, a 60 watt bulb is the standard. A 25 watt bulb gives off low levels of light, where as a 100 watt bulb is very bright.
For a brighter lamp, you should also buy a lampshade with a white or off-white inner surface. If you only need soft, ambient light in the room or if you'll be using the lamp for reading, go for a translucent shade.
Can I use a 40 watt bulb in a 25 watt lamp? ›
In short, the answer is “yes.” It is okay to use an LED light bulb that has a higher wattage equivalent than what your fixture permits, as long as the LED bulb that you are using consumes less wattage than your fixture.
How do you match a light bulb to a lamp? ›
Every light fixture has a maximum wattage. You need to choose a light bulb with a wattage amount that is equal to or less than the maximum wattage on your fixture. Don't ever put a high wattage bulb in a low wattage light fixture.
How do I know what wattage my lamp is? ›
The easiest way to identify the wattage on any one circuit is to see which light bulbs turn on and off when you flip the switch on and off. From there, you can look directly at the light bulbs to find out the wattage.
Is 60 watts bright? ›
Today's light bulbs are designed to use less energy, so wattage isn't a reliable way to gauge a light bulb's brightness. Lumens measure brightness: more lumens means brighter, while fewer lumens means dimmer. For example, a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens of light.
What wattage should a standard lamp be? ›
The most common types of light bulb used in homes are 25, 40, 60, 75 and 100 watts. For most rooms, a 60 watt bulb is the standard. A 25 watt bulb gives off low levels of light, where as a 100 watt bulb is very bright.
What is the normal wattage for a lamp? ›
Generally, light bulbs use between 2 and 100 watts (W) of electricity, depending on the size and type. Traditional incandescent bulbs use 25 to 100 W, and LED bulbs use 2 to 18 W. Light bulbs draw around 110 volts and usually less than 1 amp.
Is it safe to use a 100 watt bulb in a 60 watt lamp? ›
It is imperative to note that using a higher-wattage bulb in a light fixture with a lower wattage rating can create a fire hazard and damage fixtures or wiring.
What is the best wattage bulb for a reading lamp? ›
A bulb of 75 watts, which is quite standard, will have a lumen count of 1100. Whereas, a bulb of 40 watts, which is lower than usual, will have a lumen count of 470. If you want a light on your desk for daily reading and writing, a bulb of 470 lumens should be perfect.
