All About Incandescent Lighting

Any conversation about lighting has to begin with the incandescent bulb, that mainstay of lighting since its invention in the late 1800s. To this day, incandescent is still the most commonly used source of light in homes.

While fluorescents, LEDs and even halogen bulbs are more energy-efficient, many consumers still prefer incandescent bulbs in their homes for reasons including lower cost, aesthetics, quality and color of light and so on. For this reason, many experts believe that incandescent lighting is not likely to disappear anytime soon, despite rumors of their demise that were associated with the implementation of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

In fact, incandescent lighting has experienced a surge in popularity thanks to the Edison bulb trend. Edison bulbs, named after the inventor of the incandescent light, often feature intricate designs in the filament and give off a soft glow. Light fixtures that use Edison bulbs tend to use minimal designs that allow the bulbs to take center stage.

Many people prefer the light given off by incandescent bulbs, which is known as warm white light and has a yellowish glow. (By comparison, fluorescent and some LED light sources emit cool white light, which does not have a yellowish glow.) The photo used above really helps to demonstrate the kind of light emitted by incandescent sources.

Though their energy-efficiency ratings may never be on par with other lighting sources, recent technological advances and laws have made incandescent bulbs more efficient than they have been in the past. Expect environmental and governmental pressures to result in even more improvements over time as well.

For more information about incandescent lighting, the changes made to their efficiency and how to read the Lighting Facts label that appears on the side of every incandescent bulb box, check out How to Choose Incandescent Light Bulbs and How to Read the Lighting Facts Label!

Need more advice? Give our trained lighting specialists a call at 1-866-688-3562 or reach out on social media.

Emma Harger-Young - Lights Online