light bulbs?
Answers:
60 lights--wow, you're going to have a megalight bill unless you make most of them compact fluorescents (CFL). CFLs cost more to start with, but they last 7 times longer and use 1/4 of the electricity. They are available in spirals, globes, spotlights, dimmables, and 3-way now. A company called EFI has some good CFL bulb choices.
Here's some general guidelines: for bedside lamps, about 60W regular, or 13-15W CFL. For reading lamps, 75W-100W, or 20W CFL. For bright lighting in areas like the kitchen, you may want 100W regular or 20W-25W CFL.
But more important than Watts is lumens. Lumens tell you how much illumination you will get (how bright the light will be), but Watts is a measure of how much energy you will burn to get the light. In general, you'll get a better deal if you try to get the most lumens for the amount of Watts (sort of like miles per gallon in a car). You'll see that CFLs are much more efficient when you're trying to get a lot of light for a little money. When you're shopping for bulbs, if you want a lot of light, choose a bulb with high lumens, and when choosing between bulbs with equal lumens, get the one that uses the fewest watts for that number of lumens. Again, the purchase cost for a bulb that optimizes lumens per Watt may be more expensive, but over the lifetime of the bulb, you will more than get your money back with savings on electricity.
If you are going to use some bulbs outside, and you are considering CFLs, you will also need to check the temperature ratings for the bulbs. Some CFL bulbs can handle low temperatures, but others don't perform well when it's cold until they warm up for a few minutes.
Other answers:
Watt?
Whatever you use, do not exceed the maximum wattage allowed. Each lighting ficture should have a sticker, or some type of indication, that tells you what wattage to use.
Watt?
Whatever you use, do not exceed the maximum wattage allowed. Each lighting ficture should have a sticker, or some type of indication, that tells you what wattage to use.
For normal lighting, try to stay around the 60Watt range. 100 is too bright for most circumstances, plus with 60 of them, you'll really feel it when the power bill comes in. My advice is to spend a little more and get the energy saver bulbs (they look like a narrow tube all twisted about), as they provide as might light as 60Watt bulb, but use less power.
Most residential (decorative) light fixtures recommend no more than 60 watts--That includes indoor flood bulbs (recessed in ceiling). Pay more and get the extra long-life bulbs--alot less work.
They're a little spendy but use the GE Crystal clear bulbs. Not only are you getting natural yellow light but since the bulbs aren't frosted they give off more light. This means that where you used two 60 watt bulbs, you can now use two 40's and still light the room quite well. Saves energy and they just look cooler too.
Depends on what rooms you're talking about and what type of fixtures you have. In the kitchen you want lots of light, so if you only have a couple of light fixtures use 100-to-150-watt bulbs. For bathrooms, 60-watt or 75-watt bulbs will usually do. If you have lamps, make sure you check them to see if they have a maximum wattage rating (I have a couple of 3-way lamps that have a maximum of 150 watts, so I use 50-100-150-watt 3-way bulbs). Lamps that you intend to use as a light source for reading should be at least 100 watts, but "effect" lamps can go as low as 25 watts, depending on the desired effect. If you have chandeliers, ceiling fans with light fixtures, or small light fixtures in hallways, you will probably need special bulbs. Best bet there is to take one of the bulbs out and take it with you to Lowe's or Home Depot to get replacements. In terms of brand name, the most common are Philips, Sylvania, and GE. I've had good luck with Philips but GE bulbs seem to burn out quickly. No idea about Sylvania. Good luck!
my tip is -
try to reduce the number of different size bulb fittings - all the different ones we have are a nightmare, small screw, big screw, bayonet, reflector, spot.....
CFLs will save you a lot of money and time because they last a lot longer.
I definately agree about CFL bulbs-- Sam's club has them at a pretty good price-- I assume Costco does also. I have CFLs in every socket possible-- and I have bulbs that have been on 24/7 for literally years. I get the 60 watt size that draw 14 watts-- I'm a light freak and need LOTS of lumen/watts I had some clear bulbs that came with my new exterior lights-- they burned out in a matter of weeks-- so I put the CFLs outside on dawn to daylight settings and they are doing quite well.-- I'm happy and in the A/C season-- I'll be even more happy-
good luck