Lighting can improve ambience, comfort and energy-efficiency in your home. It can be peaceful and comfortable, stylish and dramatic, or cheerful and festive. Light can turn strangers away and welcome friends inside.
Philips offers a wide variety of light bulbs to help you create that perfect atmosphere, while reducing energy consumption.
Upgrading the lighting in your home is one of the simplest, yet most dramatic ways to transform the look of any room.
Learn moreOur extensive collection of energy saving light bulbs offers a wide range of alternatives to the standard, inefficient incandescents.
Learn moreIt's amazing how lighting can transform the whole atmosphere in a room. To demonstrate this, Philips has done a series of Light Overs in real people's homes, dramatically improving the ambiance using the latest LED lighting. Watch and see what LED lighting can do.
See the Binger Family's basement transformation
Whether you are building a new home or redecorating, one of the most overlooked elements of design is lighting. Upgrading the lighting in your home is one of the simplest, yet most dramatic ways to transform the look of any room.
To achieve great lighting, you should always use a combination of the three layers of light:
Ambient light, Focal light and Decorative light.
Ambient light is 'everywhere' light used within the home to provide even illumination. Think of it as a background light necessary for every room. Ambient light does not capture one's attention or create shadows. Instead, it acts as a general light source in the room.
Examples of ambient light include overhead lighting, downlights and fanlights.
Focal light is a concentrated source of light with greater intensity than its background. It essentially brings light where the work is to aid in the completion of tasks or projects.
Examples of focal light include fixtures placed over project areas such as the kitchen sink, a desktop or a reading chair.
Decorative lighting is marked by small but brilliant points of light. It is pleasing to the eye and adds areas of sparkle and drama to the room.
Examples of decorative light include fixtures such as wall sconces, hanging chandeliers, and spotlights.
There are a number of special lighting
techniques you might consider to
change the mood, look and
functionality of any room.
There are a number of special lighting techniques you might consider to change the mood, look and functionality of any room.
Provides visual interest by highlighting a textured wall surface while illuminating a mantel or shelf. (1) To graze textured wall surface, mount fixture in ceiling one foot from the wall; (2) space fixtures apart from one another equal to the distance the fixture is mounted from the wall; (3) Use 4" diameter or smaller recess downlights when using several fixtures in a row. Try Philips AmbientLED floods and spots for white accent light, reduced energy consumption and extreme long life.
Highlight artwork or architectural feature. (1) Use adjustable fixtures so that the light can be aimed directly on the collection or feature. (2) Use spot bulbs for a small collection, to individually light each piece or to focus light on a particular element within the artwork. (3) Use flood bulbs for large collection or large single piece of art or feature. Try Philips AmbientLED floods and spots for white accent light, reduced energy consumption and extreme long life.
Draw attention to collectibles. (1) Place lights at front of shelf to light front of display items, not just their tops. (2) Use low wattage bulbs (3) Use LED or halogen bulbs when lighting crystal and glass to enhance the sparkle. Try Philips AmbientLED MR16s or Capsules, or for white accent light, reduced energy consumption and extreme long life.
Add under-cabinet lighting to ensure adequate light for tasks. Locate fixture near the front edge of cabinet to avoid bright spots on the wall. When entertaining, create a dramatic look by turnin on only the under-cabinet lights. Try Philips AmbientLED MR16s or Capsules for white accent light, reduced energy consumption and extreme long life.
To ensure the best light for shaving and applying makeup, eliminate shadows on your face by positioning light fixtures at face level on both sides of the mirror (not from above). Use a white bulb to prevent glare. Try Philips EcoVantage Soft White bulbs for an energy efficient alternative to incandescent.
Reading requires lighting that comes from behind the reader's shoulder. Place a lamp at the right or left of the reading chair. The bottom of the shade should be located at eye level to avoid glare. Try Philips Energy Saver Twisters.
Dimming not only can help create a mood but can also reduce energy consumption.
Philips broad range of energy efficient light bulbs can help you create the perfect atmosphere in your home while reducing energy costs without sacrificing the qualities of traditional bulbs.
From table lamps and recessed light, to decorative and accent light, Philips variety of energy efficient light bulbs can be used in most fixtures to make your home more beautiful and energy efficient.
Philips advanced LED bulbs offer soft white light while reducing your carbon footprint and your electric bill. The elegant design provides increased life when compared to less-efficient incandescent, and are ideal for decorative fixtures, table lamps and recessed lighting.
See morePhilips EnergySaver compact fluorescent bulbs offer comfortable, soft light for an inviting atmosphere. From table lamps and recessed lighting to decorative fixtures, compact fluorescents are available in the shapes and sizes you are accustomed to in soft white, natural or daylight.
See morePhilips energy efficient EcoVantage light bulbs produce high quality light more efficiently than standard incandescent without sacrificing the quality of a traditional bulb. Choose soft warm light, natural light or clear light to brighten your home.
See moreCompare the different light bulb technologies and choose the energy efficient solutions right for your home.
The Department of Energy (DOE) issued new energy efficiency standards for fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. In 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was signed into law. It is intended to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, and established new energy efficiency standards for buildings, vehicles, and products—including light bulbs. This Federal legislation requires manufacturers to produce certain reflector bulbs and other household light bulbs that meet or exceed the new energy efficiency standards as stated in EISA.
Light bulb efficiency standards will be phased in 2012–2014 and require the use of more efficient light bulbs. The new standards are based on efficacy, and bulbs must meet new minimum Lumen per Watt (LPW) requirements.
New minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting are being phased-in. This will impact many incandescent household, reflector, and linear fluorescent bulbs. Over the course of the next few years, some of these bulbs will be discontinued and will be replaced by more efficient versions. You will still be able to purchase incandescent bulbs. They just need to be more efficient.
When does this legislation take effect?It will be phased-in 2012 through 2014 (California began one year earlier starting January, 2011).
Not all light bulbs are affected by the legislation, there are exemptions. Click the link below for a list of light bulb types that are exempt from the legislation.
Light bulb exemptions (34 KB)
To help consumers understand light bulb efficiency, the EISA legislation directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to change its current labeling requirements for all medium based general service incandescent, halogen, LED and compact fluorescent bulbs. A new, consumer friendly energy usage label, "Lighting Facts" will be required on most light bulb packages. These new labels will help you choose the right energy-efficient bulbs for your needs.
A new, consumer friendly energy usage label will be required on most light bulb packages.
These new labels will help you choose the right energy-efficient bulbs for your needs.
A new, consumer friendly energy usage label will be required on most light bulb packages.
These new labels will help you choose the right energy-efficient bulbs for your needs.
GENERAL SERVICE INCANDESCENT BULBS are defined as standard incandescent or halogen type bulbs that:
CANDELA is the measurement of light intensity emitted by a light source in a specific direction.
LUMENS is the true measurement of light output and brightness.
LUMENS PER WATT (LPW) is an expression of how many lumens we get from a light bulb compared to how much energy (wattage) we put in.The light bulb that produces the greatest number of lumens per one watt of energy is the most efficient bulb.
COLOR RENDERING INDEX (CRI) is the ability of a light bulb to show the colors of objects accurately on a scale of 0 to 100.
KELVIN is the unit of measure for color temperature.
COLOR TEMPERATURE is a measure of the light bulb's color when illuminated, and is measured in degrees Kelvin. The higher the number, the whiter, and then bluer, or cooler. The lower the number, the more yellow, or warmer the color. The whiteness of the light itself creates a mood in the lighted space.
Beautiful, energy saving light. Lighting can have a powerful impact on your wallet and our environment.
Lower wattage bulbs like Philips AmbientLED, EnergySaver compact fluorescents, and EcoVantage bulbs are direct replacements for energy guzzling incandescents that can save you money on your electric bills.
Philps offers exciting promotions to help start your savings. Check back frequently for the newest rebates.
Philips works with local utilities to bring you savings. Find a utility rebate near you.
You and your home can help the Earth sustain itself for future generations.
Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Philips firmly believes that corporate responsibility and community action play a key part in responding to today's energy challenges. At Philips transforming the way the world thinks and acts to reduce its ecological footprint has long been our passion. We meet the energy efficiency challenge with new solutions to drive responsible energy practices and savings—and by inspiring individuals to make simple changes that can have profound results, while still providing the high quality of light our customers require.
See the lightWorldwide, lighting consumes 19% of electricity.* But that figure can shrink dramatically. Today, homeowners have a variety of choices of energy efficient light bulbs that can save energy and last much longer than inefficient incandescent bulbs.
*Environmental News Network, "Let there be light – for the next 35 years the green
gift that keeps on giving", 12/4/07. www.enn.com/energy/article/26500/print
Our Savings Calculator lets you explore just how the savings stack up when you decide to upgrade to Philips Energy saving lamps.
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