Today’s energy efficient bulbs are available in a wide variety of colour temperatures, and many households who have begun switching to LEDs and CFLs experience dissatisfaction with their chosen bulb because it emits a different light than what they’re accustomed to. When we relied on incandescent bulbs for all of our lighting, we rarely had to consider colour temperature when replacing bulbs in our homes. Whether you’re looking for LEDs, CFLs, halogens, or incandescent bulbs, there are a vast variety of wattages and colour temperatures to choose from. A cooler temperature will have a higher value.įor reference, candlelight has a colour temperature of about 2,000K, while sunlight has a temperature of about 6,000K. Unlike measuring temperature in degrees celsius, the warmer a bulb’s light is, the lower its temperature will be.
How to Measure Colour TemperatureĬorrelated colour temperature (CCT) is measured in degrees Kelvin on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000.
But before we start, let’s take a look at how to measure colour temperature. If you’re considering upgrading to LEDs or other energy efficient bulbs, the light bulb colour temperature chart below can help you find the right colour temperature for your space. Many people prefer the warmth of an incandescent bulb, but don’t realize that this type of light can be easily replicated by simply selecting the right energy-efficient bulb. Some lamps, like incandescent bulbs, emit a warmer light, while other bulbs like LEDs provide a wider range of colour temperatures to choose from.
In the same vein, there are a number of different colour temperatures for you to choose from when you’re selecting new light bulbs. Think of colour temperature like you think of paint, where there are seemingly endless shades of white to choose from.
Most bulbs emit a white light, but this white light can range from warm to cool. What is colour temperature? Let’s find out.Ĭolour temperature, also called “correlated colour temperature” (CCT), describes the appearance or tint of a particular light. Different bulbs emit light at different colour temperatures. Have you noticed that some lights, such as traditional incandescent bulbs, emit a warm, yellowish light, while others emit a cooler, almost blue light? Don’t worry – your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you.