Light Bulbs.

Lighting Concepts to Know – Choose the Right Lighting

Understanding basic lighting concepts is essential when choosing the right light source for your home, office, or business. In this guide, we explain key terms like lumen, watt, color temperature, and the differences between various types of lamps – all to help you make a smart and energy-efficient choice.

Lumen (lm)

Lumen measures the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source. The higher the lumen value, the brighter the light appears. Unlike watt, which measures energy consumption, lumen shows how much light you actually get.

Watt (W)

Watt indicates how much energy a light source consumes. Watt used to be a way to estimate brightness, but today lumen is a more accurate measure. Many lamps include a watt comparison on the packaging to help with selection.

Lumen Chart – Replace Your Old Bulb

Color Temperature – Kelvin (K)

Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and describes whether the light feels warm or cool.

• 2700K–3000K = Warm white light (cozy, suitable for living rooms and bedrooms)
• 4000K–5000K = Cool white light (functional, suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, offices)

The lower the Kelvin value, the warmer the light.

Socket Types – Find the Right Light Source

Not sure which socket you need? It’s usually listed on the packaging or directly on the bulb. Common socket types include:

• E27 – large screw base
• E14 – small screw base
• GU10 – bayonet fitting
• G9 – pin base

See our image guide of different socket types here.

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