Daylight Vs. Soft White Light Bulbs
The difference between daylight (or bright white) light bulbs and soft white (or warm white) bulbs lies in the quality of light that each emits. Manufacturers measure quality of light, and if you possess a basic understanding of the concept, you'll match the appropriate light bulb to a particular task or location in a residential or business setting. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Thomas Alva Edison sold the first incandescent light bulb in 1880. This was the standard, illuminating with a typical warm, soft white light until the early 1990s when fluorescent light tubes became widely available. Fluorescents were expensive and bulky with a poor quality of light compared to incandescents. Since then, manufacturers have resolved those problems, and a study by Popular Mechanics indicates the CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb) emits a quality of light equal to incandescents, with options ranging from soft white light to daylight light bulbs.
Considerations
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Daylight and soft white light refer to the correlated color temperature (CCT) that the bulb emits, measured in degrees Kelvin (K). The higher the number, the brighter or colder (bluish) the light, and the lower the number, the softer or warmer (yellowish) the light. Daylight bulbs generally emit greater than 5,000K, shedding a colder light, while soft white light bulbs emit less than 3,000K and shed a warmer light.
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Types
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The most widely used types of bulbs available in daylight and soft white light choices are CFL and incandescent bulbs. In 2010, CFLs were more costly than incandescent (including the long-lasting variety), but according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the Energy Star program, CFLs are more energy efficient and longer lasting than incandescents and will pay for themselves in energy savings over their lifetime. The EPA and the European Union are campaigning to phase out incandescent bulbs altogether, while manufacturers are making LED lights more versatile and usable in residential applications.
Function
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Selecting between daylight and soft white light bulbs is largely a matter of personal preference, as the appearance of the color of a room or an object depends on the source of light illuminating it. Daylight bulbs emit a more natural looking light, useful as a complement to warmer color schemes and for reading and task-oriented applications requiring a cool, blue-toned white light. Use the warm yellow-toned light of soft white bulbs in cooler color schemes and for accent and mood lighting.
Warning
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CFL daylight bulbs and soft white light bulbs are safe to use in the home, but they do contain mercury so handle them carefully and dispose of them properly. The EPA recommends that consumers contact their local consumer solid waste agency for recycling options. Visit the EPA site (see link in Resources) for further information.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit hand holding a cfl and incadescent lightbulb image by Silverpics from Fotolia.com
