PARs Basics

Why don’t consumers understand lighting?

“I just want one of these regular looking bulbs, one that will look nice in my chandelier.” 

Common Examples:

• Lighting terminology is confusing
• Why is this so difficult?
• What is a Kelvin? 

Limited Knowledge = Bad Lighting Choices

• Lighting that is not bright enough or too bright
• Lighting that is a harsh color that you dislike
• Lighting that diminishes the look of rooms, furniture and people
• Lighting that detracts from the look of the fixture it is in 
  

What do most people do when their bulb burns out? 

1. Take old non-working bulb out of socket.
2. Go to utility closet or garage – light bulbs are stored at home.  
3. Try to find something that looks similar. 
4. If you don’t have one – take that light bulb with you to the store 
5. Try to find something that looks similar

When consumers don’t understand their options, they end up with the same bulb they started with! 

The three types of light: Ambient, Task and Accent  

What’s the Difference?

Ambient Lighting | Base Level

• Ceiling mounted fixtures that direct light downward
• Suggested bulbs include A-Lamps, Chandelier, Globes, and Tubular bulbs along with directional bulbs
• Provides general illumination
• Delivers consistent, uniform lighting that envelops a space
• Can be delivered by several types of fixtures 
• Floor & table lamps and Wall sconces that wash walls / ceilings with light.
• Pendants & Cove lighting that bounce light off walls and ceilings.

Task Lighting | 2nd Level

• Examples include pendants, under cabinet lighting, desk & table lamps, track & recessed lighting and vanity lights in bathrooms
• Typically, PAR lamps and MR lamps.
• Undercabinet lighting would be supplied by halogen bi-pin lamps or their LED equivalent.
• Intense, direct lighting ideal for detailed task work like reading, food prep and grooming
• Focused on the specific area of the task and is brighter than the surrounding ambient lighting
• Provides ample glare-free light that is bright enough to complete the task 

Accent Lighting | 3rd Level 

• Purpose is mainly aesthetic
• Highlight features of a room, such as artwork, furniture or bookcases
• Wall Lights, Recessed Spotlights, Track Lighting, Picture Lights and Outdoor Path Lighting
• Suggested bulbs are mainly directional lamps like MR, BR and PAR lamps.
• Create style and drama by using narrow beams of light focused on a specific area, creating a focal point

5 Key Lighting Terms: What do they represent? 

• Bulb Shapes and Sizes
• Finish 
• Lumens & Wattage 
• CCT 
• CRI 
   

BULB SHAPES 

A Shape

• Portables (lamps)
• Chandeliers
• Flush mounts 
  

Chandelier 

• Chandeliers 
  
• Outdoor  
  
• Sconces 
  
• Lanterns  

ST18 

• Can be substituted for A Shape Bulbs to accomplish a vintage look 
  

Tubular 

• Chandeliers
• Sconces
• Pendants 
  

Globes

• Pendants
• Vanity strips 
• Chandeliers 

Other Bulb Shapes & Sizes 

• MR16
• G25 

Finish 

Clear Glass Finish

• The most popular LED Filament finish.
• A timeless look.
• Imparts no effect on the light from the bulb.
• Offers the brightest light output, since there is no tint or color to the glass. 
  

Frost or Milky Finish 

• LED Filaments that have a white-ish finish.
• Frost is a lighter tint with some transparency
• Milky is an opaque white finish that does not allow the filament to be seen.
• Can reduce brightness slightly 

Brown or Amber Translucent Finish 

• Known as Nostalgic or Antique finish lamps.
• Often found in a trendy, dimly lit restaurant.
• Creates a warm, intimate vibe
• Imparts an amber tint to the light emitted

Lumens 

• Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a light bulb.
• More Lumens = Brighter Light
• Fewer Lumens = Less Light  

Wattage 

• Watts is the amount of power consumed by a bulb.
• LED is much more energy efficient than older technologies.

What is CCT? 

CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) is a standard that helps identify how yellow or blue the light from a bulb is. The lower you are on the scale, the warmer (or more amber) the light is. As you move higher through the scale, the color shifts to yellow, white and then even blue. Measured in Kelvins.

Color Temperature Applications 

In Restaurants 

Most restaurants want lower CCT in the 1800K to 2700K range, to create an ambiance and mood. This CCT creates a friendly intimate vibe, like a light from a fireplace.

Some more modern styled restaurants prefer lighting up to 3000K, which provides a soft and pleasing white light.

At Home: Different rooms often require different CCTs 

• Bedrooms and living areas would typically be in the 2700K range.
• Rooms more associated with tasks, like kitchens, would be in the 3000K – 5000K range. 
• Bathroom lighting is typically in the 2700K-3500K range, with vanity lighting at the higher end of the range for grooming and applying makeup. 

Studies have shown that blue light later in the day can disrupt sleep rhythms and have negative impacts on sleep quality. One way to allow for CCT customization throughout the day is to use a Smart bulb like Bulbrite Solana®, which allows for independent and on-demand adjustment to the CCT of bulbs. 

What is CRI? 

Color Rendering Index is the measure of the ability of a light source to accurately render the colors of objects, in comparison to natural light. 

• The higher the CRI of a lamp, the more clean & crisp the color of an object will appear under that light. 
• The lower the CRI of the lamp, the more distorted and washed out the color will look under that light.
• The higher the CRI, the more closely the object looks to how it would in daylight – which is the benchmark of ideal illumination. 
   

Why is CRI important? 

CRI is most important in areas where color is critical to the task or experience

• Art exhibits
• Clothing retail environments (providing visual pop)
• Grocery stores (making food look appealing)  

High CRI can provide benefits in nearly every environment. Higher CRI lamps will help in your home, making colors pop, adding a richness to furniture, wall colors, food, even people. That’s right, high CRI can even showcase a healthy, glowing skin tone. 

80 CRI=Good

90+ CRI=Great