The colour of light from light bulbs has at all times been the same over the last 100 years until just recently. The current passing through the filament makes it white hot and this develops a yellowish light colour. With today’s technology in energy saving light bulbs it is now possible to produce them with a broad range of different tints of white with cool blue white shades right through to yellow shades. So life has got more complex again! Earlier there was just one alternative but how there are a wide range of options to mull over to pick the appropriate one for a living area or a utility.
Now with the great range of Halogen Bulbs, CFL’s and LED Bulbs there is the space for choice.
In this short and complete analysis I will provide more data regarding colour temperature and the underlying principles which should assist people in selecting the right light bulbs.
Colour Temperature of energy saving light bulbs Explained
The standard measure for light colour is colour temperature and the measure used is Kelvin ranging from 2700K to 6400K (Kelvin). The accepted way of designating light colour is to use the colour temperature indicator in the range from 2700-6400Kelvin (K). If you have a piece of steel and heat it up it will turn yellow, then redish, then white finally turning to blue across the temperatures from 2700-6400K.
The orthodox light bulbs which used a tungsten filament create a warm yellow light at a colour temperature near 2700K.
Standard halogen bulbs have a higher colour temperature which give a white colour greater than 3000K.
If the colour temperature is further more heightened to 3500K you achieve the white glow attributed to a standard fluorescent tube or classic CFL energy saving light bulbs and certain LED bulbs.
Midday sunlight has a colour temperature at the much higher level of 5500K.
The top of the scale for colour temperature is then 6400K which is equivalent to the light colour on an overcast day.
There is a ambiguous aspect which is that a warm colour temperature for energy saving light bulbs of 2700K corresponds to a warm homely glow but is actually the coldest Kelvin reading. At the top end of the scale there is a cool colour temperature of 6400K which is at the hot end of the scale.
Selecting the right Colour Temperature for energy saving light bulbs for your requirement.
As a general rule the most appropriate decision for interior areas like living or dining rooms is the 2700k warm colour temperature energy saving light bulbs and LED bulbs . Warm light energy saving light bulbs and LED bulbs are preferable with subtle skin tones and does not show blemishes. In addition it calls forth the best appearance of fabrics and soft furnishings making it the accepted choice.
For areas where excellent visual definition is necessary then the cool white 6400K light is best. This will give better visual clarity in areas for instance garages, workshops, utility areas and working kitchens.
For a place which is used as a work area and for living for instance a kitchen diner, then the perfect choice energy saving light bulbs or LED bulbs would be around 4000K. This will mean that visual interpretation is optimal but there is still an element of warmth in the light.