Clear bulbs vs soft white.


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Old 02-14-19, 12:24 PM
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Clear bulbs vs soft white.

It is ok to use clear 60 watt bulbs in an enclosed ceiling fixture instead of soft white? The fixture says 60 watts Max on both sockets. Thanks.
 
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Old 02-14-19, 12:25 PM
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Yes. 60 watts is 60 watts.
 
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Old 02-14-19, 12:29 PM
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Thanks, I didn't know if they got hotter. They sure are brighter!
 
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Old 02-14-19, 12:50 PM
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Most people just consider that glare at higher wattages. Up to about 40W they are more decorative, after that they are more for illumination. I have some clear 60w equivalent LEDs in the coachlights out front and I'm switching back to either frosted or a "warmer" color....they are far too harsh as is and really stand out on the block.
 
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Old 02-14-19, 01:19 PM
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60w equivalent LEDs in the coachlights
I use candle (bullet) shape 40w equivalent LEDs in my outdoor fixtures. They do not appear so bright and still provide sufficient light for steps, walkway and porch.
 
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Old 02-14-19, 02:00 PM
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I tend to agree with what others have said.

For outdoors it kind of depends what you're looking for. If you only need light to see steps and a walkway then then 40 watts or about 400 to 500 lumens. But if you need more light that can provide illumination for doing light duty work such as sweeping, or clearing snow off the car or perhaps illuminate most of the driveway then I would look for a 600 to 700 lumin bulb. As far as clear or frosted goes the frosted tend to soften the clear and spread the light a bit more evenly.

Color should be considered on what type of work you doing. If close work such as working at a bench, sewing machine or kitchen counter top then day light in the 4000K or above to give high contrast wold be what you want. But in a area such as dinning area, bedroom, a more subdued lighting would be more inviting.

Keep in mind wattage has nothing to do with brightness. Wattage is what you pay the power company. Lumens is the brightness, regardless of wattage.
 
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Old 02-14-19, 02:14 PM
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Clear bulbs give a little more light (lumens wise) compared with the same kind of bulbs frosted. In an enclosed fixture with a frosted cover the increase in glare or hot spotting of the clear bulb is miniscule over the frosted bulb. The frosting actually absrbs a little of the light.
 
 

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