Damages can reduce the value of a lamp, but they won't necessarily discount the worth of a rare item. If your lamp is electric, try plugging it in to see if it turns on.
Unplug the lamp and inspect it for tell-tale signs of hardware repairs and modern updates, such as glued-up cracks, paint-touch-ups, and more. Lamps are often more valuable when left in an original condition with most or all the original parts. Lightly scratch the underside of the lamp surface to determine the type of material it is made from. Some lamps may appear to be made of metal, but they might also be painted to look and feel just like metal.
Inspect the lampshade by pinching it between your thumb and index finger. If the shade feels greasy or brittle, there's a good chance that it may be old or the original shade for your lamp. Manufacturer Label: Lamps manufactured by renowned designers will usually have a company name listed on them somewhere.
If you can't find a decisive label, you can find other clues that will provide insight into the make and model of your old lamp. You may find a dated stamp or maker's hallmark embedded into the base or on the lighting fixture. However, you shouldn't assume that the lamp and shade came as an original pair.
Many lampshades are replaced over time. Check lamp guides or available reference books to determine the manufacturer, lamp model, and production year based on any clues you have found.
Knowing the pin spacing and wattage of a fluorescent tube is enough to identify the lamp type. Architectural lamps either have one main centre contact or two at either end. Strip Lights, often used as picture lights, have two contacts at either end. Halogen capsules are found in halogen adaptors where the components are: adaptor base — replaceable capsule — decorative cover.
This type of lighting is commonly used in domestic environments. Linear halogen capsules are frequently used in floodlights and have an R7 cap at either end of the lamp. GU fittings typically have two pins and are commonly found on halogen and more recently on LEDs. It follows that the larger the cap the great the wattage and heat the lamp can withstand.
Therefore, GU4 and GU5. However, given the continual use and relative inaccessibility which makes changing them out a bit more troublesome , they are best served by LEDs. They also have much longer lives than fluorescent light bulbs and are significantly brighter than both replacement types. Recessed or flush mount ceiling lights usually have a diffuser that minimizes harsh light that can be caused by exposed LEDs. For recessed or track indoor lighting, reflector or bulged reflector bulbs are great options.
Many flush mount lights also work well with standard A type or spiral-shaped bulbs. These hanging fixtures are typically used for general or task lighting in kitchens above countertops or in dining rooms above tables.
They may be occasionally employed in specialized work areas in the home or in more industrial workplaces when there are extremely high ceilings. A portion of the bulb is often exposed, so you should be mindful. These dramatic hanging light fixtures are as much about form as function. Consequently, chandelier light bulbs are often more stylish in their design, especially if they are exposed.
These lights are usually used for general or ambient lighting in dining rooms, entryways and bedrooms. Although, many large family rooms or high ceiling common areas often incorporate grand chandeliers to help fill the space or make it feel cozier. Candle, flame or globe-shaped bulbs work well in chandeliers and are typically incandescent. However, newer LED options have been developed that might also do the trick.
These wall mounted lighting fixtures tend to be used for more ambient purposes. Certain areas of the home and office need some light in order to serve their purpose, but bright task lighting is often overkill.
A little subdued mood lighting is sometimes helpful to transition from busy common areas to more intimate ones. Many wall lights are small and have confined lamping fixtures. In those cases, use smaller candle or flame-shaped CFLs or incandescent bulbs.
Their decorative styling is also aesthetically pleasing and is reminiscent of traditional, pre-electricity lighting. If your interior design is more contemporary, small globe bulbs work well.
Lighting the exterior of your house is also important. Walkways and entries need to be well-lit so that people can safely find their way. Regardless of the outdoor location, these general or task lights must be durable to withstand the elements.
Halogen incandescent light bulbs are usually sufficient for outdoor lighting unless they are continually in use or need to be extremely bright. CFLs do not turn on well or last as long in cold weather, so your geographical location has to be considered. LED light bulbs are great for lighting basketball or tennis courts, but the higher cost may be harder to justify for other uses. Reflector or parabolic aluminized reflector PAR bulbs are great for many recessed or spot outdoor applications.
The growing popularity of rustic, steampunk and industrial interior design and lighting has spurred interest in Edison filament style light bulbs. Originally, these vintage light bulbs were incandescent and had wound filaments that were visible through clear glass casings. Now, Edison light bulbs can be used in virtually any lamp or light fixture. Their warm, glowing orange light is probably more aesthetic than functional, but they do look really cool. As you can see, there are a lot of factors that you can evaluate when choosing a light bulb.
The use and room help to determine the best lighting fixture, which in turn has technical requirements and size constraints. Even after sorting through those decisions, you still have your own subjective style, economic and environmental considerations to answer to.
This guide should give you a head start and help you better understand your choices. At some point, regardless of how good a light bulb is, it burns out or gets broken. But what do you do with old light bulbs? Based on the type of bulb and where you live, there are essentially two options: recycle them or throw them out. Each type of light bulb has its own requirements or recommended steps.
Take a look at our FAQs for answers. These types of light bulbs contain mercury, which is a toxic substance, so many places have laws that prohibit disposing of them in the trash. These energy efficient bulbs do not contain mercury, so you can throw them in the trash. Recycling centers may handle LEDs differently than fluorescent and CFL light bulbs, so be sure to keep them separated when you make your drop off. In addition to formal receiving centers, some large retailers like Home Depot or IKEA offer drop-off bins for light bulbs purchased through them.
Bill Ferris is the president of Decor Outdoor and founded the company in He's been quoted on patio furniture by Living Cozy and on home improvement by Realtor. When not writing posts for the website, he's a frequent guest contributor on the subject of online marketing and an interior design enthusiast. Your email address will not be published. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Last updated Sunday, October 31, Fluorescent light bulbs create light via a three-step process: Electricity ionizes i.
Bulb — Designations consist of two parts: a letter s and a number. The letter represents the shape of the bulb, while the number indicates the width in eighths of an inch. Base — This identifies how the bulb connects to the socket of the light. It is designated by a letter s type and number diameter in millimeters. Wattage — The electrical power of a light or lamp is expressed in watts.
Voltage — The force of electricity flow is expressed in volts. Frequently Asked Questions.
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