The Color of Incandescent Light
Manufacturers are working on new lamping technologies with a similar color temperature to incandescent.
Printer-friendly versionSend to friend
 
What is the color of incandescent light?

Here is a long answer to what seems like a simple question. Regular, undimmed incandescent light is 2800K. Most fluorescent lamps trying to imitate incandescent are 2700K (so slightly warmer). Halogen, which is also an incandescent light source, is 3000K (slightly whiter in color than standard incandescent), although when it is dimmed, halogen becomes as yellow as any other incandescent light source. Manufacturers are working on LED versions of household bulbs (normally called A-lamps) that are the color of dimmed incandescent (2200K to 2250K). My current favorite warm-colored LED A-lamp is the dimmable Pharox 300 Flame. I am also partial to a dimmable 2250K CCFL (cold cathode compact fluorescent lamp) called the Microbrite MB-801DL.

randall_whitehead
Randall Whitehead, IALD

Randall Whitehead, IALD, is a professional lighting designer and author. His books include "Residential Lighting, A Practical Guide." Whitehead has worked on projects worldwide, appeared on the Discovery Channel, HGTV and CNN, and he is regular guest on Martha Stewart Living Radio. Visit his website www.randallwhitehead.com and follow his blog www.lightmakesright.com for more information on books, upcoming seminars and the latest lighting trends.

More like this

Leave A Comment

  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>

More information about formatting options

By submitting this form, you accept the Mollom privacy policy.

Lastest from ask randall

How Many Years Do LEDs Last?
That depends on what formula is used. Some use 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while others use 12 hours a day or even six hours a day (based on... read full story
What Should I Do With My Old LEDs?
LED lamps and components will continue to improve in efficacy, CRI and output over time, long before our original purchases have burned out. If... read full story
Do LEDs Produce Heat?
LEDs do produce heat. That is why there is so much metal in the lamps and fixtures to act as heat sinks. The main difference is that they do not... read full story
Proper Spacing of LED Recessed Lights
What is the room that you are lighting being used for? How is the furniture laid out? Instead of just doing a grid of recessed fixtures, my... read full story

Webinars

Energy-Efficient Lighting Design for Kitchens & Baths
The pace of technological advancements in lighting and the implementation of new lighting standards are causing us to rethink our most fundamental beliefs about what creates... read full story
Energy Codes and Federal Legislation Affecting Lighting Design in 2012
More than at any time in the past 100 years, we are seeing the implementation of comprehensive energy codes and federal legislation that are affecting lighting in... read full story
The ABCs of LEDs Webinar: How Solid-State Lighting Is Shaping Sustainable Design
LED and Solid State Lighting technologies are moving forward with extraordinary speed. In the last four years LED efficiency has tripled and will soon be more efficient than... read full story
view all