Incandescent or LED Bulbs: How to Choose?

Chandeliers can add a more casual touch to your living room, entryway, or anywhere else you want to add a beautiful light fixture to your home decor. One of the challenges is determining which bulbs to pair with your chandelier. Discover one of our most beautiful modern chandeliers by clicking on this image!

Innovations in lighting solutions have given rise to a wide variety of light bulbs , each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

When you go shopping for light bulbs with a specific purpose in mind, the meaning of "perfect" or "best" changes dramatically. Difficulties arise when you want a bulb for aesthetic purposes or to convey a certain "feel."

That's because you know that your choice of light bulb will not only help reduce your electricity bills but also provide excellent lighting . Plus, you want your choice to have a positive impact on the environment as well.

Although light bulbs come in all shapes, voltages, and sizes, the original image of a light bulb remains fresh in our minds. However, the two-century gap between the original image and today has led to improvements in efficiency, quality, light density , and energy conversion.

1. Incandescent light bulbs

Known to many as the "ordinary light bulb," the incandescent light bulb is an electric light bulb containing a tungsten filament. Invented by the great Thomas Edison, this tungsten filament is heated using an electric current, producing light. The glass envelope serves to protect the filament from oxidation and maintain it in a nitrogen vacuum.

These bulbs come in a variety of styles and sizes. Recently, their use has declined due to the fact that current flows can cause the filament to overheat and burn out. Additionally, these bulbs only last 700 to 1,000 hours and are a major cause of energy waste. This is why more and more people are considering switching to modern, more efficient solutions.

2. LED bulbs

LED bulbs are growing in popularity due to their eco-friendly nature and the variety of colors they offer, perfect for illuminating your living room chandelier in the color of your choice. It's easy to create a more romantic or relaxing ambiance by choosing the right color. Most LED chandeliers allow you to vary the color and intensity of the white. Go from cool white to a choice of white to relax on your sofa.

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes (LEDs in French), are not technically light bulbs. Rather, they are tiny "focused" diodes, or semiconductors. A semiconductor is an electronic device that has two terminals but only allows current to flow in one direction.

The obvious absence of a filament is what most distinguishes LED bulbs from incandescent bulbs. However, there are other very important differences between them.

3. Incandescent Bulbs VS LED Bulbs

1. Light production

Incandescent bulbs:

When the electricity is activated, the filament generates heat and then lights up, producing light. A so-called warm light , which tends towards yellow. A color more restful for the eyes but less illuminating than a cool white.

LED bulbs:

LED bulbs are most often available in multiple colors. This allows you to better manage the ambiance of your room according to your mood or decor. You can vary the intensity of the light as well as its color.

2. Consumption

A light bulb's power consumption is based on its wattage. The watt is a unit of measurement named after the Scottish engineer James Watt , who contributed to the development of the steam engine.

Incandescent bulbs:

The most common incandescent bulbs are between 50 and 60 watts to obtain a light equivalent to 10 watts of LED. These bulbs are extremely energy-intensive, just like halogen bulbs . Their use has greatly reduced since the arrival of LEDs on the market. However, filament bulbs have much more charm on a chandelier type chandelier and will give a retro vintage look rather than a simple LED.

LED bulbs:

An LED bulb consumes only 11 to 12 watts for the same brightness as an incandescent bulb. LEDs are economical and consume 5 times less energy than their competitors. They can be controlled remotely via a remote control or even by Wi-Fi via your smartphone. However, they are rarely used for industrial or wooden living room chandeliers for aesthetic reasons. The industrial style is best associated with filament bulbs .

3. Lifespan

Incandescent bulbs:

Incandescent light bulbs only last a few months, with about 700 to 1000 hours of operation. Additionally, as they age, they tend to crackle until their end. This is particularly the case with Edison bulbs .

LED bulbs:

LEDs are designed to last for a long time, meaning they last for about 100,000 hours or a lifespan of 10 years. This means that an LED bulb lasts 10 times longer than its incandescent counterpart. However, as they age, they will burn out or become dimmer.

4. Cost of bulbs

Incandescent bulbs:

On average, an incandescent light bulb can cost more than €200 over 20 years in the long run.

LED bulbs:

An LED, on the other hand, costs around €34 over 20 years. It is therefore 6 times cheaper.

5. Diversity of bulbs

Incandescent bulbs:

The variety of incandescent bulbs is limited. Whether standard, filament, or halogen , they often produce the same tone of light. A light with a yellowish tinge. If you want color, you must use a filter, which unfortunately cannot be changed.

LED bulbs:

An LED can produce light in all kinds of colors without the need for filters. It also allows for easy and inexpensive dimming. LEDs are therefore perfect for modern living room chandeliers , which can be remotely controlled via a smartphone.

LED bulbs are clearly a better solution today and in the near future. At least until the next type of light source is invented. They provide a warm light that creates the perfect effect of comfort and calm in your home. However, you can also choose a cool white that will perfectly illuminate your room, whether it's your kitchen or living room. In addition, the bulb produces no heat.

LED chandelier bulbs are certainly a better alternative to incandescent bulbs, but they aren't very aesthetically pleasing. Filament bulbs, on the other hand, have a certain charm, making them indispensable for authentic interior design and living room chandeliers that look more magnificent than ever.

Now that you know all about light bulbs, it's time to choose a chandelier that's perfect for your living room! Browse our collection of modern yet authentic chandeliers!