What Light Bulb Should I Get?

[Karmachanic]

In theory 2 lamps would be perfect. But who does that?

 

I do

[RJS]

Cold light is never good at home.

Asian people seem to prefer the blue light. When building a case for why we shouldn't exclusively use 6500k bulbs at work once I found a journal article that discussed why it is that people in warmer countries lean towards cold light, and people from cold countries lean towards warm light. My first apartment in China was outfitted with non removable LED light fixtures that were very cold/blue in colour, so I bought a bunch of lamps with 3000k bulbs immediately.

 

They should make lamps with different color temperatures changing by time

. I agree. There are modern bulbs that can change colour temperature on command, so you could probably set these to do so on a schedule.

 

Edit: I can put forward no idea for why people in places like the freezing north of China still favour cold light over warm light. Haha.

Edited October 26, 2020 by RJS

[Astronymus]

And only because people prefer it doesn't mean it is healthy and better. I just say... humans.

[PithyProlix]

[snip] ... I found a journal article that discussed why it is that people in warmer countries lean towards cold light, and people from cold countries lean towards warm light.

[snip]

Edit: I can put forward no idea for why people in places like the freezing north of China still favour cold light over warm light. Haha.

 

I'm interested in that journal article - if you can remember the name or other identifying info please let me know.

[Thymen]

Asian people seem to prefer the blue light.

 

I've visited China many times (wife is of Chinese origin), and the cold, harsh light they use over there gives me a headache and tired eyes. Looking at an apartment building with blue TL-lights in every apartment really makes me cringe.....

Edited October 26, 2020 by Thymen

[RJS]

 

I'm interested in that journal article - if you can remember the name or other identifying info please let me know.

I'm afraid that info has faded into the mists of time. I'm not sure where I found it or other details, but that bit stuck with me. It worked, by the way, and we swapped all the bulbs where I worked for warm ones. Two weeks later someone in senior management said it was Chinese "law" that bulbs must be cold. They couldn't back this up with proof, but all the warm bulbs got binned none the less, without consultation.

[RJS]

 

I've visited China many times (wife is of Chinese origin), and the cold, harsh light they use over there gives me a headache and tired eyes. Looking at an apartment building with blue TL-lights in every apartment really makes me cringe.....

I used to smile if I looked up at my building and could see my apartment as one of the few warm coloured dots. Funnily enough, it was my landlord's decision to go with warm bulbs- about 100 of them in total. He was Chinese American, so maybe his life in the States influenced his preferences?

[RJS]

https://m.manufacturer.lighting/info/183/ Not a journal article, but an interesting read.

[alexwi]

These are rather expensive, when it comes to lightbulbs, and more so when you consider that NO LED bulb lasts anywhere nearly as long as the manufacturer claimes, but it might be an option for what you need:

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/LIFX-60W-Equivalent-Mini-Multi-Color-Dimmable-Wi-Fi-Connected-LED-Smart-Light-Bulb-L3A19MC08E26/302569539

 

Alex

[PithyProlix]

These are rather expensive, when it comes to lightbulbs, and more so when you consider that NO LED bulb lasts anywhere nearly as long as the manufacturer claimes, but it might be an option for what you need:

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/LIFX-60W-Equivalent-Mini-Multi-Color-Dimmable-Wi-Fi-Connected-LED-Smart-Light-Bulb-L3A19MC08E26/302569539

 

Alex

 

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

LIFX doesn't advertise CRI ratings - that's not a good sign that those bulbs render color well.

 

The Philips Hue bulb, another smart bulb that is only white light, claims a CRI of 80, which isn't bad. Plus they are $25 in the US (about $32 USD in Thailand, where I live):

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-Hue-White-Ambiance-A19-LED-60-Watt-Equivalent-Dimmable-Smart-Wireless-Light-Bulb-with-Bluetooth-548495/310374854

 

The cool factor is pretty high but relying on a wifi or Bluetooth connection plus some other device to control it - hmm ... I really prefer to be able to simply turn/press a switch on the lamp itself.

Edited October 27, 2020 by PithyProlix

[RJS]

I recommend checking out the Ikea bulbs- they make some very good ones, that are also affordable and you can buy them in Thailand.

[PithyProlix]

https://m.manufacturer.lighting/info/183/ Not a journal article, but an interesting read.

 

Good article. And it touches on the cultural & geographic factors in light temperature use/preference.

 

Thanks for sharing.