With the development of energy saving light bulbs as well as other alternatives to the traditional bulb, it may be beneficial to seek out advice and ratings on light bulbs to find which ones are best for your business. From watt light bulbs to halogen light bulbs and fluorescent light bulbs, the possibilities are numerous. There are also numerous resources out there that have taken the time to do the research to help you decide which light source fits your purposes.

Comparing and contrasting the differences and advantages of using one type of bulb over another is the only way to know for sure which is best and most cost efficient. Look to the following resources for advice and ratings on light bulbs:

1. Well-respected magazines, newspapers and consumer advocates will give you extensive advice and ratings on light bulbs.

2. Environmental websites will give you the carbon footprint of each light bulb on the market.

3. Blogs will allow you to get advice and ratings on light bulbs directly from consumers and entrepreneurs just like you.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look to magazines and newspapers for light bulb reviews

Popular magazines and newspapers are a great source for thorough and scientific advice and ratings on light bulbs. Magazines and newspapers have the resources to test numerous brands and types, including halogen and led light bulbs. Compare multiple reviews to be sure you are getting the complete picture.

I recommend: Popular Mechanics did an experiment on seven light bulbs to determine which was the best. An issue of The New York Times features an article that ranks different light bulb specifications.

Rely on environmental websites to provide reviews of energy saving light bulbs

Websites offer a wealth of information on fluorescent light bulbs, wholesale light bulbs and watt light bulbs; but, to get more than a review of the functionality of a light bulb, turn to environmental websites. These sites give a deeper analysis compared to a product review, providing the bulb's impact on the environment.

I recommend: The environmental website, Grist, put fluorescent light bulbs to the test. The Environmental Defense Fund gives a brief review of several lighting bulbs as well as the specifications and best uses of each bulb available.

Follow credible blogs to get consumers' light bulb reviews

Blogs written and hosted by consumers often provide the most honest opinions and independently researched facts about light bulbs. These accounts will give you the most reliable information as experienced by a consumer with no motives or marketing considerations. Be sure to choose blogs written by credible sources such as those who work as electricians or those who may share your business interests. This will ensure that your findings apply to your circumstances. Blogs written by consumer advocates also provide information on light bulb ornament options as well as the benefits and advantages of using each.

I recommend: Omar Shahine, a Microsoft product manager, reviews various types of light bulbs. FatMixx, a blog written by a director at ESPN Digital Media, reviews fluorescent light bulbs. This post also includes several reader reviews as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Try one light bulb product at a time. If, for instance, you choose to try energy saving light bulbs, install the bulbs throughout your office and monitor the difference in utility costs and usage over a month or two to get a true picture of the benefits and potential savings.

Light bulbs are one of the most used products in the country. Varying in size, the number of watts emitted and how much energy they use, buying the right lighting bulbs for your business is vital to offer potential clients a variety of lamp bulbs at prices that are affordable.

Wholesale LED light bulbs offer the cost-effective solution to your bulk light bulb needs. Whether you stock fluorescent light bulbs, halogen light bulbs or energy saving light bulbs, a reputable light bulb wholesaler can take care of your needs.

When you seek wholesale light bulbs for your business, you should:

1. Get price quotes for the light bulbs you need to find the most cost-effective solution.
2. Purchase an assortment of watt light bulbs to offer the most variety to your customers.
3. Stock energy saving light bulbs that are environmentally friendly.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase LED light bulbs wholesale for your business

Wholesale light bulbs offer the quantity you need at volume discounts.

I recommend: Use bulbs.com to supply your bulk light bulb needs. Bulbs.com has a low ground shipping flat rate, a large stock of wholesale energy-saving light bulbs and the opportunity to ship used bulbs back to them for recycling. Light Bulbs Etc., Inc. offer over 2500 light bulbs including light bulb ornament products, LED light bulbs and specialty light bulbs.

Buy energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs to promote environmental awareness

Light bulbs that are efficient on energy offer better lighting and last 12 times longer than traditional light bulbs.

I recommend: Liteworld.com has a variety of energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and offer free quotes to potential customers. 1000bulbs.com offers energy-saving Neolite light bulbs that last over 10,000 hours and provide a substantial savings in energy costs.

Stock specialty light bulbs in your business to attract a wide customer base

Specialty light bulbs, such as light bulb ornament products and strobe light bulbs are niche products that can increase your customer base.

I recommend: Use Top Bulb to supply your specialty light bulb needs. The professionals at Top Bulb work with you to find the specialty light bulbs that fit your light bulb specifications and have thousands of lamp bulbs in stock. Use the professionals at Boulder Light Bulb to help you find specialty light bulbs or replacement bulbs that are hard to find.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find out if your state requires that light bulbs be recycled. If recycling is the law, set up a recycling station in your business and encourage customers to bring in old light bulbs and purchase replacement bulbs from your business.

If you're an electrician or own or work for an electrical supply business selling wholesale light bulbs, it will be a great help to your customers if you learn all there is to know about light bulbs types and styles. Whether it's LED light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, halogen light bulbs, lamp bulbs or a light bulb ornament for a Christmas tree, you'll find there are several different types and styles of light bulbs.

From giving tips about energy saving light bulbs to supplying light bulb specifications, you'll increase your customer service by providing in-depth information about light bulbs types and styles. Perhaps the easiest way to start with gathering information about the varied types of light bulbs is to look at the three main types of light bulbs:

1. Understand the basic types of incandescent light bulbs.
2. Familiarize yourself with the different types and styles of fluorescent light bulbs.
3. Realize the indoor and outdoor uses of halogen light bulbs.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take a shine to standard incandescent light bulbs

The most widely-used light bulb is the incandescent light bulb, those that screw into lamps, appliances or overhead light fixtures. They come in a variety of wattages, shapes and sizes, and you can even get them in different colors. Incandescent light bulbs operate by a filament inside the bulb being heated and generating light.

I recommend: Take a look at Lowe's Light Bulb Buying Guide for a long list of incandescent light bulbs, with pictures and descriptions of standard, bullet-shaped, candle, flame-shaped, ceiling fan bulbs and more. Bulbs.com shows the many types of incandescent light bulbs, from regular "A-shaped" bulbs to decorative bulbs and even night light bulbs.

Brighten your world with fluorescent light bulbs

Most of us recognize fluorescent bulbs as long, thin glass tubes filled with gas and a white powder called phosphor. These generate more light than incandescent bulbs. Over the past few years, compact fluorescent bulbs, which screw in like incandescent bulbs, are becoming more popular as these bulbs save a great deal of energy.

I recommend: BulbsUSA.com shows many types of fluorescent light bulbs, from tubular and circular to spiral compact fluorescent light bulbs and many other styles. BuyLighting.com offers a view of a wide variety of compact fluorescent light bulbs, from the standard spiral type to dimmable, plug-in, low mercury and even colored bulbs.

Turn the spotlight on halogen light bulbs

Halogen light bulbs work generally the same as incandescent light bulbs, but are more powerful. They are used mainly for outdoor flood lights or outdoor or indoor spotlights. While providing more light, halogen light bulbs offer less in the way of shapes or styles.

I recommend: United Halogen Bulb Supply has a varied inventory of 120/130 volt halogen light bulbs for both indoor and outdoor use. View many types of white light, colored and long life halogen light bulbs at Light Bulbs Etc.

Whether you work in construction, do interior decorating or are simply looking to keep your office well-lit, knowing how to choose the right light bulbs for your needs is important. Although it's easy to take light bulbs for granted, poor lighting can lower productivity and increase energy costs, draining money away from your business. Browse through the following key terms to learn more about light bulbs and to become an educated shopper.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compact fluorescent lamp

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) last longer and consume less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Because they can save up to 150 pounds of carbon per year, they are also great for the environment. CFL's come in a variety of styles designed for both indoor and outdoor use.

I recommend: Check out the guide to CFL's at Energy Star for more information.

Lumen

A lumen is a unit of measurement for how well a light bulb illuminates its surroundings. Bulbs with high numbers of lumens do a better job lighting up dark objects than those with low numbers of lumens, but they usually consume more energy, too.

I recommend: Learn the difference between lumens, foot-candles and candelas at The LED Light.

Color rendering index

A light bulb's color rendering index, or CRI, measures how well it brings out the color of surrounding objects. CRI is a relative term however, since each manufacturer tests its bulbs against their own reference light sources when measuring color rendering.

I recommend: Read through information on CRI from Full Spectrum Solutions to learn more about the measurement and how it relates to lighting quality.

Color temperature

Along with CRI, color temperature is an important factor when choosing light bulbs for professional lighting applications. In simple terms, color temperature, measured in degrees Kelvin (K), indicates the hue of a given light source. Temperatures between 5,500 and 6,500 K are the closest in color to natural daylight.

I recommend: See a complete list of light sources and their color temperatures at 3DRender.com by Jeremy Birn.

Finish

Finish refers to the color and composition that coats the interior of the bulb. A bulb's finish can not only changes it outward appearance and hue, but it can also change its lighting properties as well, making it softer, sharper or more diffuse.

I recommend: There's information on light bulb finishes on the website of McLendon Hardware.

Wattage

The amount of energy light bulbs use is a measurement of wattage. Most incandescent bulbs use between 60 and 100 watts.

I recommend: Dig into the physics behind light bulbs on Ask a Scientist from the U.S. Department of Energy.