A Buyer's Guide for Choosing the Right LED Light Bulb

When it's time to replace a light bulb, many energy conscious and money-smart consumers are choosing to replace their broken incandescent light bulbs with a CFL or LED light bulb. CFL light bulbs have been around for several decades and have gained popularity as an energy and money-saving light source. New to the scene are LED's which show promise as being even more energy efficient and longer lasting than CFL's. This buyer's guide will help you determine what you need to know when choosing LED lighting so that you will feel great about your choice. The factors to consider when choosing the right LED light bulb are: design/shape, lumens/brightness, wattage/energy use, color temperature and base type.
Choosing the right design or shape of your LED light bulb is important so that you will get the right light bulb for the right job. A-line bulbs look similar to the traditional incandescent light bulb that you are familiar with, and distribute light over a wide area. Candle bulbs look like the shape of a flame and are mostly used for decorative lighting such as wall sconces or ceiling fans. Flood lights cast a very wide light that is great for outdoor applications on garages and in landscaping. Spot lights used a focused beam and are usually used for track lighting. Choose the right LED light bulb for your desired application.
The next thing to consider when choosing an LED light bulb is energy efficiency. Look at the lumens per wattage on the package and choose the highest lumens (brightness) for the wattage (energy) spent. Finding the best energy savings will make an LED light bulb the obvious choice.
Another thing to think about when purchasing an LED light bulb is the color of the light produced. Light bulbs produce light hues from bright white to tinted blues and purples, all of which are helpful for different types of applications. An LED light bulb can be purchased with a bright white hue or a soft white hue, imitating the familiar incandescent glow we are all used to. It is best to use brighter whites for outdoor lighting and softer whites for indoors. One exception to this is a bug light, which are often yellow to keep pests away. Look on the package for the Kelvin or K temperature rating, which is higher for brighter shades and lower for softer shades. This will help you find the perfect color temperature hue for your lighting needs.
The last consideration is LED light bulb base type. As with other light bulbs, there are different base sizes and types. To make sure you get the right base, it can be helpful to take the old light bulb with you to make sure the new light bulb will fit into the socket of your light fixture.
LED light bulbs are a great new lighting option and are starting to catch on for forward-thinking homeowners. So if you want great longevity, beautiful light, and money savings, the next time you need to replace a broken incandescent or CFL light bulb, give a new LED light bulb a try!