Ballarat Sale Ready Tip #5 Check your light globe colour.

Replace globes, but getting the colour of your globes right can be confusing.

Before you have your photo shoot, check that your light globes are consistently the same ‘globe colour’ in each room, so that the lighting ‘reads’ the same.

The general rule is that “cool white”  is good for task light situations, such as kitchens, study areas, laundries & bathrooms. In lounges & bedrooms, a “warm white” globe colour is softer. However, if you have an open plan living zone, you may choose to put a cool white globe in all fittings.

The old incandescent globes, with a bayonet or screw fitted bases, have been superseded as they are energy wasting

More efficient globes are now available. The incandescent globes were described by their wattage. Wattage tells you how much energy a globe uses. The new globes as described by their ‘lumen output’.

Your existing light fittings will take a certain connector  base or socket. If you are unsure as to what to buy, take a photo of the light fitting & base connector that globe fits into, & head off to a lighting shop to seek advice. Also, check to see if there is a label in the light fitting stating the ‘MAX’ wattage that the fitting takes.

Globes comparisons:

Incandescent               25W                40W                60W                75W                100W

Halogen                      18W                28W                42W                53W                70W

LED                                4W                 6W                 10W                 13W                 18W

There are a variety of globes now available. 

Karbon globes have a yellow filament, and are more decorative than useful.  One of these globes will give a warm designer look, & will look great if you have a pendant or lamp with an exposed globe.

LED globes, [Light Emitting Diodes]  are described as the most energy efficient which also offer  a long life. They use significantly less energy than halogen globes. They operate at a much cooler  temperature than other lamps. They are available in cool white or warm white colours. Unlike incandescent globes, they produce little or no IR or UV radiation, both of which can be damaging to fabrics & artworks.

Although they cost more, they reputably last up to 15,000 to 25,000 hours.

They can be purchased as dimmable or non-dimmable.

Halogen globes  were introduced to replace incandescent globes.  They have a range of shapes & bases, so easily replace incandescent globes.

However, they are less energy efficient than LED & compact fluorescents. They give out a crisp, clear light, as they operate at a higher temperature.  They produce a considerable amount of IR & UV radiation, so can be damaging to fabrics and artworks.

The halogen globes are extremely sensitive to skin oils & contain a fragile quartz envelope and brittle filament wire.