1.Choose a Bulb Style
Choose a bulb with a base that matches your light fixture.
Tube, circline and some compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs have pin bases.
Linear tubes are labeled with a designation code that indicates tube diameter.
Most CFLs have screw-in bases, which fit light fixtures designed for incandescent bulbs.
2.Compare Bulb Ratings
Bulb light output, or brightness, is measured in lumens. A higher lumen number indicates a brighter bulb.
Bulb energy usage is rated in watts. A higher wattage rating indicates greater power consumption.
A higher lumens-to-watts ratio indicates greater energy savings.
3.Select a Bulb Color
Fluorescent bulbs are categorized by color temperature, ranging from a warm, yellow light to a cool, blue light.
The most common fluorescent bulb color categories are warm, neutral, cool white and natural light.
4.Tips to Help You
Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and shouldn’t be thrown in the trash. The Home Depot offers a free in-store fluorescent bulb recycling at stores nationwide. Look for the orange collection boxes
Need to replace a bulb? Take the old bulb with you to match the base size and bulb style.
