Incandescent light bulbs are a popular choice for residential settings, offering a vast variety of shapes, sizes, colors and wattages. At Ace Hardware, you’ll find a wide selection of incandescent bulbs to fit your budget and design preferences.
What Are Incandescent Bulbs?
Incandescent bulbs operate using a metal filament—usually tungsten—inside a glass vacuum. When electricity flows through the filament, it heats up and emits light. Here’s what to consider when choosing the right incandescent bulbs for your home.
Wattage and Lumens
Wattage indicates the power needed to illuminate the bulb filament, while lumens measure brightness. For energy efficiency, aim for the lumens you want at the lowest wattage available. This information can typically be found on the light bulb packaging. Be sure to check fixtures for maximum recommended bulb wattage to avoid reducing the lifespan of your bulbs and increasing fire risks.
Efficiency and Pricing
While incandescent lights produce more heat and are less efficient than LED and fluorescent bulbs, they are generally more affordable, with an average lifespan of around 1,200 hours. This makes them a practical option for bulk buying at relatively low prices.
Dimmer Functionality
A dimmer switch controls how bright a bulb shines by controlling how much power flows through it. Installing a dimmer switch can enhance the energy efficiency and lifespan of an incandescent light bulb, significantly extending its operating life.
Incandescent Light Bulb Types and Sizes
Incandescent bulbs come in various shapes and sizes. The shapes are typically denoted by a letter on the packaging.
Common shapes include:
- Standard household bulbs, identified by an “A”
- Candle light bulbs, identified by a “C”
- Reflector light bulbs, identified by an “R”
- Globular light bulbs, identified by a “G”
- Tubular light bulbs, identified by a “T”
This letter is typically followed by a number indicating the diameter of the bulb. The higher the number, the larger the bulb diameter.
Color Shades and Kelvin Temperature
The color emitted by incandescent lights significantly influences the ambiance of your spaces. Color temperature, measured in Kelvin (K), affects brightness. Higher Kelvin temperatures appear whiter and brighter.
Here are three primary color temperatures for incandescent bulbs:
- Soft white/warm white incandescent bulbs (2700K – 3000K): Produce a warm, slightly yellowish glow, ideal for cozy settings like bedrooms and living rooms.
- Bright white/cool white incandescent bulbs (3100K – 4500K): Offer a whiter, more energetic light, suitable for kitchens and entryways.
- Daylight incandescent bulbs (5000K – 6500K): Emit bright, crisp light perfect for task lighting in garages, workshops or offices, mimicking natural daylight.
Shop Incandescent Light Bulbs Near You at Ace
Shop incandescent light bulbs near you at your local Ace Hardware. Know what you need? Explore our extensive selection of light bulbs from brands like Westinghouse, Satco and FEIT Electric online today for fast shipping to your door or free in-store pickup.
From incandescent and smart light bulbs to flashlights, shop lights and outdoor lighting, Ace is your go-to for all your lighting and electrical needs.
