{"id":105,"date":"2017-10-11T17:04:24","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T17:04:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebankerslamp.com\/?page_id=105"},"modified":"2023-02-20T09:05:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T09:05:53","slug":"light-bulb-bankers-lamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebankerslamp.com\/light-bulb-bankers-lamp\/","title":{"rendered":"Which light bulb to use in your bankers lamp and why"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When getting a light bulb for your banker’s lamp, the most important is to get one that fits within the lampshade. The light bulbs with the best fit for bankers’ lamp shades are cylinder-shaped T10 light bulbs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I prefer energy-efficient, light bulbs that give off a warm light without giving off much heat. Finally, I prefer frosted bulbs as they scatter the light evenly in the shade. A bulb that has all these qualities, that I use myself, and highly recommend, is T10, frosted, 40W equivalen<\/g> LED light bulbs. They are very energy efficient and are perfect for bankers lamps. You can get this 2-pack from Landlite<\/a> from Amazon, or you can find them in your local hardware store.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find the LED bulbs to be a bit expensive, you can go for the traditional incandescent light bulbs with the same shape, like this 40W bulb from Satco<\/a> from Amazon. Although the lower price might be tempting, the LED bulbs are the better choice. Incandescent light bulbs have a much shorter lifespan and are less energy efficient. Over time, this makes incandescent light bulbs more expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the comparison table below where I compare the alternatives. Here you can also see the estimated yearly cost when using the light bulb for 3 hours a day, assuming an electricity price of 0.13$ per kW\/h (US 2018 average).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
<\/td>T10 Frosted LED bulb<\/th>T10 Clear LED bulb<\/th>T10 frosted incandescent bulb<\/th>T10 Clear incandescent bulb<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td><\/a>\"\"<\/td><\/a>\"\"<\/td><\/a>\"\"<\/td><\/a>\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wattage<\/td>5W (60W equivalent)<\/td>4W (40W equivalent)<\/td>40W<\/td>40W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shape & size<\/td>T10<\/td>T10<\/td>T10<\/td>T10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Base<\/td>E26<\/td>E26<\/td>E26<\/td>E26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type<\/td>LED<\/td>LED<\/td>Incandescent<\/td>Incandescent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average rated hours<\/td>30000<\/td>30000<\/td>1000<\/td>1000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estimated yearly cost (3h daily, 0.13$ kW\/h)<\/td>0.71$<\/td>0.57$<\/td>5.69$<\/td>5.69$<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n
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With this side by side comparison, it becomes evident that LED bulbs are the better choice. Esepacially when you consider the much lower average rated hours (lifespan) of incandescent bulbs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is true not only for your banker’s lamp bulb,<\/g> but to every single lightbulb in your home. Continue reading to learn more about the different types of light bulbs, their characteristics, and how you can save money by replacing energy inefficient light bulbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Light bulb basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Shape and size<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Different light bulbs are classified according to their shape. The first shape we think of with regards to light bulbs is the standard, rounded, A type. Depending on what type of lamp you have, different shapes may be better suited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When getting a new light bulb, the letter code for the shape should be specified on the packaging. In addition, there\u2019s usually a picture of the bulb. If you are going to replace a bulb and don\u2019t have the package, you might have to determine the shape type by eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letter code for shape is followed by a number. This number gives you the diameter of the bulb at its widest point. Depending on where you live, it might be designated in inches or cm\/mm. If designated in inches, the number is the width of the bulb at its widest point designated in eighths of an inch (0.125 in).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a standard  A bulb is designated as being 15, it means that its max diameter is 1\/8 of an inch (0.125 in) times 15, which equals 1.875 in. You can also calculate this by dividing 15 by 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bulb base<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bulb base is the part of the light bulb that you screw into the socket. When you\u2019re getting a new light bulb it is important that you get one that fits. Fortunately, the base sizes are more or less standardized around the world, which makes choosing a bulb easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most lamps, including bankers lamps, use the medium\/standard bulb base. This is indicated by a letter and number code which for North-America is E26 (or MES), and E27 (ES) for Europe. Other lamps, like chandeliers, might use narrower bulb bases, such as the candelabra or intermediate sizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n