LIGHT BULB LITERACY

The original 75W recessed can was designed for flood bulbs to be spaced at 4’ intervals on an 8’ ceiling so pools of light would overlap and soften the shadows on the floor. The beam spread from fluorescent CFL or LED bulbs is smaller, so retrofitting them in existing cans may leave dark spots between the cans. Using a dimmer, and setting it down 25% saves approximately as much electricity as converting the bulb to fluorescent. Identify the manufacturer of the fluorescent light bulbs, as bulbs made in America will outlast Chinese imports.

Fluorescent and LED light bulbs are available in different color temperatures. If you are keeping some incandescent light bulbs in the same room, select 2700-3000K fluorescent or 3000 LED bulbs with a golden glow so all bulbs look similar in color. Full spectrum LED bulbs at 5000K are less expensive to produce than 3000K bulbs, but research suggests these higher color temperature ‘blue’ bulbs can be damaging to the retina of your eye.