A GUIDE TO TYPES OF LIGHT BULBS

Selecting the right light bulbs for your home or commercial building is a critical part of your design plan. HID light bulbs, for instance, do not work well in a kitchen or hotel hallway. Similarly, incandescent light bulbs are not a good choice for a warehouse or school gymnasium. Finding the right light bulb not only enhances lighting design, it can also impact safety and the overall tone or ambiance of a building.

We are explaining five types of light bulbs and what makes them unique. You can also jump ahead to look at specific commercial light bulb applications.

Types of Light Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs

An incandescent light bulb is the oldest type of light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison and patented in 1879. Simply put, an incandescent light bulb is a controlled fire on display. However, fire produces more than light. It produces heat. That means incandescent light bulbs can get extremely hot, especially when they’ve been burning for a long time.

Still, incandescent light bulbs are the gold standard of lighting because their light quality is as close to the color of sunlight as you can get. Even with more advanced technology, incandescent light bulbs remain a top option for several applications like homes, specialty light fixtures that need the look of an antique bulb, and in buildings that require a certain look or feel, like a restaurant or hotel.

Incandescent light bulbs are easily dimmable, which is another reason they’re a top recommendation for areas where ambiance is important. However, a drawback is the short life. Incandescent light bulbs will burn out every three to five months, assuming they’re burned for eight to ten hours a day.

Because of the short life and the amount of energy they burn, CFLs and LEDs have become common replacements for incandescent light bulbs.

Halogen light bulbs

Halogen light bulbs technically fall under the incandescent lighting family. However, because their technology is slightly different, we like to give them their own sub-category. Unlike incandescent light bulbs, halogen light bulbs reuse particles. That allows them to last up to 2,500 hours. For context, Incandescent light bulbs may only last 800 to 1,200 hours.

Halogen light bulbs can also operate at a higher temperature than incandescent light bulbs, so they can have a higher wattage rating. Halogen light bulbs are popular in specialty applications, like jewelry cases, medical devices, and track lighting for retail stores or lobbies. They are also used in homes or in areas where décor is important.

Because they operate like incandescent light bulbs, halogen light bulbs have the same gold standard of light. Think of a warm, rich, and high-class tone. Halogen light bulbs are also a great option if you want dimming capability, or if you’re looking for a low cost option for a fixture with a low burn time.

The problem with halogen light bulbs is they are not very energy efficient. If you are looking to replace a light bulb that is used frequently, you probably want to go with an LED.

Fluorescent light bulbs

Fluorescent lighting is popular in areas that require a crisp, clean light. All fluorescent lighting uses a chemical reaction that occurs inside a glass tube.

Fluorescent tubes operate off a ballast. Electricity enters the ballast through a fixture like a troffer, then feeds into the tube. The ballast helps regulate the voltage and current.

There are several different types of fluorescent light bulbs, including linear fluorescents, fluorescent bent, fluorescent circline, and CFLs. CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) were created as a more energy-efficient option to traditional light bulbs like incandescent and halogen. Many CFLs have an integrated ballast, unlike traditional fluorescent tubes.

Fluorescent lighting is common in applications like commercial office buildings, schools, hospitals, and back-of-house areas in restaurants or hotels. Fluorescent light bulbs are more energy efficient than incandescent or halogen, but not as energy efficient as LEDs. In fact, when LEDs gained popularity and began to be more cost-effective in the market, fluorescent popularity diminished.

The color and light output produce by fluorescent tubes can also depreciate over time. Another disadvantage is fluorescent light bulbs are known for being harsh on the eyes, which could be another reason to switch to LEDs.

Finally, it’s important to remember that fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and that can be harmful to the environment. If you’re replacing your fluorescent light bulbs, make sure you recycle them.

LED light bulbs

LED (Light emitting diode) is a lighting technology which uses a semiconductor device to product a glowing light. This type of electronic lighting technology is highly versatile, and is frequently used in commercial buildings like offices, hotels, retail stores, schools, and hospitals.

Today, there are LED replacement products available for every type of traditional lighting. That includes equivalents for incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and HID light bulbs. There are several benefits to LED light bulbs, but the biggest is energy efficiency. An LED light bulb can be 90% more energy efficient than an incandescent light bulb, which is the least energy-efficient type of lighting.

Another benefit of LED lighting is the ability to color tune for precise color rendering. Manufacturers are producing higher quality products all the time. The biggest disadvantage to LED lighting is the cost. LEDs remain the most expensive light bulbs, although the cost has dropped significantly in recent years. Energy savings coupled with rebates will frequently pay for the product within a year.

LED technology is constantly advancing, and today it is possible to find the right LED for any application.

HID light bulbs

HID stands for high intensity discharge. The name is fitting because HID light bulbs are known for their high light output and ability to throw lumens a long distance. That’s why they’re frequently used in places that require a lot of light, like stadiums, parking garages, and streetlights, or any other area where safety is key.

Similar to fluorescent tubes, HIDs require a ballast to start. Electricity enters the fixture through the ballast and ignites the bulb through a process involving a roiling plasma and a chemical combustion. (We don’t want to get too technical, but that sounds pretty cool.)

Despite their high output, HIDs can actually last a long period of time (about 20,000 hours). The one drawback is their light output begins to depreciate around 10,000 hours. You might also notice they change color over time. HIDs can appear pink, green, or purple. If you’re concerned about color consistency, that can create a headache.

The disadvantages to HIDs may have you considering a switch to LED. Manufacturers are producing more LED alternatives to better fit your needs. However, you have to think about retrofit options because HIDs operate off a ballast. We wrote about that on our blog. If you’re looking to replace your HIDs, make sure you recycle them. They contain mercury and that could be dangerous to the environment.

Commercial Light Bulb Applications

Here are five common commercial buildings where lighting is critical. For each commercial building, you will find common types of lighting and their LED replacement.

Retail – The last thing you want is a potential customer to walk into your store and feel like the products are too bright or not the right color. Lighting makes all the difference in retail stores, which is why incandescent and halogen light bulbs are common. There may be areas where fluorescent light bulbs are used, too.

• Incandescent or halogen – Incandescent and halogen light bulbs are the “gold standard” for lighting because they have what is considered to be perfect light quality (a color rendering index of 100). This exceptional light quality is what makes them a common light bulb in retail stores. Most of the time, you can find incandescent or halogen light bulbs in track lighting, accent lighting, and fitting rooms. A popular option is a type of reflector, like PARs or MRs. LEDs offer directional lighting that’s also great in retail stores, and the light quality of LED light bulbs has grown leaps and bounds.
• Fluorescent – Fluorescent lighting might be used as clean, crisp overhead lighting in some retail stores. They’re also used in storage rooms and fitting rooms. Decisions are often made in fitting rooms, so it’s a good idea to balance fluorescent lighting with some softer lighting, like incandescent or halogen.

Restaurants – Lighting sets the tone when a guest takes the first step into a restaurant. In a space where ambiance is key, you will likely find incandescent or halogen light bulbs. But those aren’t the only types of lighting used in restaurants.

• Incandescent or halogen – If you’re looking for lighting bulbs for recessed cans or track lighting, you’re probably looking for an incandescent or halogen light bulb. A reflector would be a good option for those fixtures. If you’re looking for light bulbs for pendants, check out the standard A-line or a globe bulb. Any other specialty fixtures will also use decorative or antique light bulbs like a torpedo shape. Incandescent and halogens use more energy than other types of lighting, so you might also consider LED alternatives in areas of high burn time. With that said, make sure you pay attention to dimming when buying LED bulbs for restaurants.
• Fluorescent – Fluorescent lighting is not as common in a restaurant, but you might find fluorescent light bulbs in the kitchen, or in common spaces if you have a fast casual or convenience restaurant.
• HID – If you operate a stand-alone restaurant that’s not in a strip mall, you might also need to replace HIDs found in exterior fixtures outside of the restaurant. HIDs are common in parking lots in shoebox fixtures and in wall packs.

Commercial offices – Quality lighting in commercial office buildings is key for productivity. Dim lighting can strain employees’ eyes and harsh lighting can cause migraines. The most common type of lighting found in commercial office buildings is fluorescent lighting. Plus, if you’re concerned about price, fluorescent light is a great choice based on price and longevity. But there are other types of light bulbs you might find in your commercial office, too.

• Fluorescent – Fluorescent light bulbs are popular in all areas of a commercial office building, but especially in hallways, mechanical or maintenance rooms, office spaces, and parking garages. The most popular type of fluorescent is a linear fluorescent tube, but you might also find CFLs. You can also find the LED equivalent for fluorescent tubes.
• Incandescent or halogen – In commercial offices, you will find incandescent or halogen lamps in decorative, accent, or task lighting. For instance, you probably use a standard A-line bulb in desk lamps. Or you might use torpedo bulbs in accent lighting in your lobby. Today, there are LED replacements available for most incandescent and halogen light bulbs.
• HID – HIDs are typically found outside of a commercial office building. Because of their high light output, HIDs are in areas where safety is extremely important. You will typically find HIDs in wall packs, parking garages, or in streetlights in parking lots. HIDs are often in hard to replace because they’re in high fixtures, so LEDs are becoming a more common option.

Medical facilities or hospitals – Medical facilities and hospitals strive for crisp, clean light, so it’s no surprise that you find a lot of fluorescent light bulbs. Other types of lighting are useful for the lobby and exterior of the buildings.

• Fluorescent – Fluorescent lighting is found in almost all areas of a medical facility or hospital, including hallways and patient rooms. Typically, linear fluorescent tubes are used in ceiling fixtures like troffers. CFLs are also used in recessed cans. Fluorescent light bulbs create an atmosphere of alertness in hospitals.
• HID – HID lamps are typically found outside of a hospital, like in parking lots or parking garages. With their high light output, HIDs will help first responders, patients, and visitors enter and exit your building safely. Here are the LED replacement options.
• Incandescent or halogen – You can create a calming, warm environment in your lobby with incandescent or halogen lighting. Torpedo light bulbs and accent light bulbs can be used in specialty fixtures. You might also need to buy new light bulbs for elevators. Elevator bulbs are typically in the halogen family. Of course, anywhere you use an incandescent or halogen light bulb, you can use an LED light bulb.

Schools – The proper lighting in a school or university can help promote a healthy learning environment and maintain student safety. Fluorescent lighting is the most common type, but you might also find HIDs or incandescent or halogen light bulbs.

• Fluorescent – Fluorescent lighting is found in almost every area of a school. You can find linear fluorescent tubes in hallways, classrooms, walkways, and cafeterias. Fluorescent lighting is a popular choice because of its crisp, clean light. LED linear tubes are also becoming a common choice because of their energy efficiency and longer life rating.
• HID – School gymnasiums commonly have high bay fixtures which use HIDs. However, HIDs take a long time to turn on and can often change to different colors. For those reasons, LED replacements for HIDs are becoming more common.
• Incandescent or halogen – Incandescent or halogen light bulbs are common for task lighting in offices or possibly classrooms. You probably don’t have too many in a school, but if you switch to LED products you can still save money on energy costs.

Questions about light bulbs

Hopefully you now understand the differences between the types of light bulbs and how they are used. If you are having a hard time finding the right incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, HID, or LED product, please do not hesitate to contact us.

You can send us a message or call us by clicking here or use the chat in the bottom right corner of your screen. Our lighting specialists are always happy to help.

Regency Supply works hard to meet your commercial lighting and LED needs. As a family-owned, national distributor since 1983, we have sales and distribution centers across the U.S. and decades of experience.