Figurine Light Bulbs – Choosing the Right Bulb

When you are shopping for light bulbs, it can be challenging to sort through the multitude of choices. There are a lot of things to consider like shape, size and base type. The good news is that once you understand what all the terms mean, it becomes much easier to find the perfect bulb for your home.

Figural light bulbs are special incandescent light bulbs that are made to look like a holiday figure or animal. They were popular during the 1940’s and 50’s, but have fallen out of favor since then.

Choosing the Right Bulb

The first thing to do when purchasing a figurine light bulb is to look at the shape of the bulb. You want the shape to match your décor and to fit properly in the fixture you are using it in.

Next, determine the voltage and wattage of the bulb. There should be a tag near the male plug on your string light set that tells you both the voltage and the maximum wattage of the bulb. This will ensure that you have the correct bulb for your light set.

You will also need to pay attention to the bulb’s expected lifetime. A long-lived bulb can save you money in the long run by reducing the number of replacement bulbs you will need to purchase. The best long-lived bulbs are LEDs and CFLs. LEDs typically last up to 25,000 hours, and CFLs can last for up to 10,000 hours.

Finally, you will need to decide what color of light you prefer. You can choose a warm or cool white light, depending on the effect you are trying to achieve. You can also select a special colored light for holidays or to match the décor of your home.

Light bulbs are rated for their energy use, brightness and expected lifetime. The amount of energy used is indicated by the wattage. Wattage used to be an indication of brightness, but recently manufacturers have been pushed to create light bulbs that are less wattage-intensive without sacrificing brightness. Light appearance, on the other hand, is a more personal preference and is really only indicative of how the light will actually appear in your room. Regardless of the light’s appearance, it is important to make sure that your chosen bulb is certified for safety by a third party organization. The most common certifications are UL (Underwriters Laboratories), RoHS (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances) and ENERGY STAR.