When it comes to creating an efficient lighting design, you can’t go wrong with a high-quality GLS bulb. GLS bulbs are one of the most common types of light bulbs on the market and they are well-known for their versatile retrofitting abilities. These light bulbs work in various installations making them an ideal luminaire for any kind of building. 

Early GLS bulbs were the incandescent type however, with innovative technology LED GLS have largely replaced these light bulbs. If you currently own these bulbs or want to learn more about them, here is everything you need to know about GLS light bulbs. 

What Are GLS Light Bulbs And Why Are They Important?

Before we look at some of the best GLS light bulbs in Ireland, it is important to understand what these bulbs are and how they work. The GLS light bulb is the most traditional design of a light luminaire. This design has been manufactured for over a century ago since the light bulb was first introduced. 

So, what is a GLS bulb? The GLS has a classic pear-like bulb design which allows the light to spread evenly throughout a room. Due to this efficient design, the GLS bulbs are highly versatile and still remain one of the most popular bulb shapes available today.

The modern iteration of the GLS bulb often has an opaque or pearl appearance and they are created from heat-resistant glass or thermal plastic. These light bulbs are fitted with one of the two types of cap components. These include a B22 bayonet cap often written as BC, which is a push and twist type of cap. 

The other option is an E27 Edison screw base which screws into the light socket. In the UK and Ireland, the B22 is the more common version of the GLS light bulb. You can also easily find this version of the bulbs across Europe. 

The History And Evolution Of GLS Light Bulbs

The GLS light bulb is one of the most recognised light bulbs today and its imagery has become the classic representation of a light bulb. Whether it's in an advertisement or online, the GLS pear shape is the most common iteration of a light bulb you see today. 

Even though Thomas Edison is typically associated with the invention of the GLS bulbs, it is actually a collaboration between a physicist and chemist who create the first common light bulb in 1879. 

In 1885, Edison patented the pear shaped light bulb and his company called the general lighting service. This is what the letters GLS stand for. 

By 1914, the general lighting service has sold more than 88 million general light bulbs. From then on, the sales of these light bulbs saw a significant increase, cementing the GLS light bulbs as the standard. 

Nowadays, GLS light bulbs are found easily everywhere and they come in various styles to suit your light fixtures. Since the light industry is constantly evolving, older GLS models with an incandescent component have been largely phased out throughout Europe.

As a replacement, many consumers are opting for LED GLS bulbs as they are energy efficient and help consumers save on energy costs. The light bulbs are also much brighter and last a long time.  

Apart from LEDs, you can also find GLS bulbs in a compact fluorescent or halogen version however, these do not perform as well as LEDs. 

What Are The Different Types Of GLS Light Bulbs?

As mentioned before, there are two common types of GLS light bulbs. Both these bulbs come with their own set of applications and benefits. Here is a closer look at the two different types of GLS light bulbs.  

E27 GLS Bulb 

The E27 bulb or the Edison screw GLS lamp is most commonly used in North America, however, you can also find them in the UK and Ireland. This light fixture has a threaded base that works well with a screw-in fixture. 

The base of an E27 bulb is 27mm wide and it is a popular option for domestic light fixtures. You can use an E27 for lamps, feature lighting etc. ES light bulbs are easy to install and they come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colour temperatures, lumens and components. 

B22 GLS Bulb

One of the most common light bulbs in the UK and Ireland is the B22 GLS light bulb. B22 light bulbs have the classic bayonet shape and base fitting. This base features two mounted areas on either side of the bulb. 

The B22 bulb is often also called a standard bayonet fitting and is typically used in most domestic and commercial properties. The B22 bulb is often confused with the B15 bayonet lamp however the latter is much smaller and less common than the standard bayonet bulb. 

Just like the E27 bulbs, these lamps also come in a wide variety of colour temperatures and sizes to fit all your lighting needs. Some B22 GLS bulbs also come with a dimmer function that allows you to adjust the illumination according to your needs. This makes the B22 GLS bulbs one of the most versatile luminaires on the market. 

What Are The Different Types Of Bulbs?

To understand why LED GLS bulbs perform much better, it is important to look at all the different models of these luminaries. This will help you compare and contrast LED GLS bulbs with other models. Here are the four different types of light bulbs throughout the years. 

Incandescent Light Bulbs

Incandescent or traditional light bulbs were invented over 100 years ago and are often considered one of the earliest iterations of luminaries. These light bulbs are still widely used in many parts of the world. However, this usage has become very controversial. 

Incandescent bulbs consume a lot of energy and are very detrimental to the environment. Due to this quality, many governments are phasing out these bulbs. Incandescent light fixtures have a piece of hard metal wire, and this wire has an extremely high melting point. 

The wire is generally made from tungsten, and a glass cover surrounds it. These types of light bulbs are extremely high energy consumers and are highly inefficient. One of the biggest problems with these bulbs was their mechanical components. The hard wire structure in traditional light bulbs has an extremely high melting point. 

This wire is made from tungsten, and it is surrounded by a glass cover. When electricity passes through the light bulb, the wire glows and produces light. This light is what we see when the bulb is turned on. 

These components make up the structural form of an incandescent light bulb. These light bulbs were effective in the earlier time period as many people did not have sufficient light sources. However, due to innovative technology and environmental consciousness, these incandescent or traditional light bulbs are now considered highly inefficient. 

It is also important to note that these bulbs are not as bright as modern LEDs, even at the same wattage. Incandescent bulbs are also one of the most inefficient light bulbs, as the majority of the energy consumed by these fixtures goes to waste. 

Only 10% of the electricity used by a traditional lightbulb is converted into visible light, while the rest is wasted. This figure shows that roughly 90% of your electricity goes to waste with traditional light bulbs; therefore, you end up spending a lot of money on wasted energy. 

In comparison, energy efficient luminaries with a similar wattage use almost all of the energy consumed. 

Additionally, traditional incandescent light bulbs have a far shorter lifespan than energy efficient light fixtures, which means extra replacement costs. These traditional bulbs are not meant to last long due to their mechanical components. 

The filament in an incandescent light bulb burns out quickly due to heat emissions. High heat emissions are also a major limitation of incandescent bulbs; however, you won’t find this issue in energy efficient lighting. To solve such inefficiency issues, manufacturers came up with several other ways to make GLS light bulbs more efficient. 

Halogen Light Bulbs

Even though incandescent GLS bulbs were incredibly popular, they were creating a major strain on energy consumption. To create more efficient lighting, manufacturers created halogen GLS bulbs as a replacement for the traditional incandescent models. 

Halogen light bulbs use a similar filament technology as traditional light bulbs, but these luminaries run at a higher temperature. 

Despite the newer mechanisms, halogen light bulbs are only slightly more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. However, in terms of brightness, halogen lamps burn far brighter than incandescent bulbs. 

Manufacturers introduce a different set of components in these bulbs to make them better than incandescent bulbs. Halogen lights contain a small amount of halogen gas which mixes with the tungsten vapour from the wire. 

The mixture makes its way back onto the filament instead of going inside the bulb. This process allows a halogen bulb to shine brighter than a traditional bulb. 

Additionally, this mixture also extends the lifespan of the bulb slightly longer than an incandescent light bulb. Halogen light bulbs are commonly used in spotlight sockets and fittings. However, manufacturers are forgoing these light bulbs for even more efficient light bulbs. 

Along with traditional or incandescent light bulbs, lower-level halogen light bulbs are being removed from the market for more energy efficient alternatives. The use of halogen bulbs has been on a steady decline, and the UK is set to phase out these lights so that LEDs make up 85% of luminaries sales across the country. 

Even in Ireland, there is a slow decline in the sales of Halogen GLS bulbs.  With modern technological advancements and environmental concerns, many governments started backing manufacturers that produced an even more efficient form of lighting. 

After the halogen light bulbs, modern replacement models were designed that produced the same level of illumination but used less electricity.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, were the first light bulbs that were specially designed as an energy efficient light solution. These luminaries were considered far better than their previous models are were created to use energy more efficiently. 

CFL bulbs have a much longer lifespan than both incandescent and halogen lamps, as they can last over 8000 hours. When it comes to energy consumption, compact fluorescent lamps use approximately 70 to 80% less electricity than incandescent light bulbs. These light fixtures have a very different structural makeup compared to previous light bulbs. 

CFL bulbs contain a gas called argon inside a glass tube. This gas also contains small amounts of mercury vapour. When the mercury vapour and argon react, they create an ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the naked eye, but once this light passes through a fluorescent coating in the tube, it emits visible light. 

If you want to dispose of CFL light bulbs, you need to take special precautions to reduce any contact with mercury. As mentioned before, CFLs contain a small amount of mercury vapour that can be extremely harmful. CFL light bulbs marked a big step toward energy saving light bulbs. However, these were still not as efficient as LED lights. 

Light Emitting Diode Bulbs

After CLFs, manufacturers designed an even more efficient light model. These were called light emitting diodes or LED light bulbs. In most applications, LED lights have replaced CFLs as the more energy efficient light model out of the two. 

When it comes to energy efficient lighting, many people prefer using LEDs instead of other lighting alternatives. Due to environmental consciousness, the awareness of these bulbs is steadily increasing. 

Energy saving LEDs, are highly versatile and can be used for domestic and commercial applications. These bulbs come in a linear fluorescent lamp or strip light format, which is commonly used in the workplace and industrial settings.  

As mentioned before, structural features play a key role in a light’s efficiency, and an LED bulb is no different. Due to their physical characteristics, LED lights are far more efficient than other light bulbs, especially incandescent lights. 

LED light has a powerful light bulb structure that is highly energy-efficient. When these LED bulbs were first created, they were created in a single-bulb structure. Early LED light bulbs were used in electronic appliances, instrument panels, pen lights, and more. 

Once these lights were produced in small grouped clusters, they had a wider appeal in terms of applications. More recent use of energy efficient LED light bulbs includes indoor headlamps, recessed lighting, string lighting, and Christmas lights. 

With the rising popularity of energy efficient lighting, LED luminaries are becoming one of the most popular light sources worldwide. LED lights are equipped with a standard base fixture similar to other bulbs for domestic and household purposes. 

Another great feature of LEDs is the lens. The diffuser lens is a crucial component as it helps the light spread in a wider beam. 

One of the major features of early LED light bulbs is that the light emission is directional. This makes LEDs different from incandescent light bulbs as they spread light in a spherical direction.  

This type of lighting direction works well with recessed lighting or under cabinet lighting fixtures; however, directional lighting may not be suitable for table lamps. 

Modern LED light bulbs are created to address directional light limitations. These newer LED lights use a diffuser lens and a reflector to distribute illumination in multiple directions, similar to an incandescent light bulb. Despite the high energy savings of LED light bulbs, these bulbs have a high upfront cost for many consumers.  

LED light bulbs also have a high production cost which is a major roadblock to the widespread use of LED bulbs. However, modern research and technology are rapidly evolving to design much more efficient, and cost-friendly LED light bulbs.

Even if you purchase a more expensive model of LED bulbs, you will experience savings in the long run. LEDs help you save on energy because they do not rely on wattage to deliver high-intensity illumination. 

LEDs use lumens as a way to measure their light output instead of watts. This means that even if you purchase an LED with a high lumen output, it will still take up less energy than an incandescent bulb with a similar lumen output. 

How Do Energy Efficient LEDs Compare To Other Light Bulbs?

When it comes to choosing the best energy efficient light bulb, LEDs come out on top. LED light bulbs are far more efficient than any other light product on the market. This lighting solution uses 90% less energy than an incandescent or halogen light bulb of similar brightness. 

For example, a 4-watt LED light bulb can achieve a similar lumen output comparable to a 50-watt halogen light bulb. This is because LED light bulbs are much more efficient at converting electricity into light energy. 

The Kosnic bulbs are designed to be highly efficient as they use very low wattage to operate while focusing on the lumen output. 

The mechanical features of LEDs make a key difference in this conversion because, in other light models, most of the energy would get wasted as a heat emission. However, LED lights do not produce heat; therefore, they make much better use of the energy consumed. 

In terms of efficiency drops, LED light bulbs perform better for a long period of time compared to other light bulbs. LEDs experience a drop in efficiency as the current increases; however, the overall performance drop is much lower than an incandescent light bulb.    

In terms of efficiency drops, LED light bulbs perform better for a long period of time compared to other light bulbs. LEDs experience a drop in efficiency as the current increases; however, the overall performance drop is much lower than an incandescent light bulb. 

With innovative research, manufacturers are looking at ways to extend a LED's life even further. On the other hand, incandescent bulbs have an extremely short lifespan when compared to LEDs, making them an inefficient lighting solution for prolonged use. 

Another great benefit of using LED light bulbs is the longer lifespan. Since there is no thermal emission, the LED bulb does not suffer any damage and therefore does not need constant replacements. A well-built LED light bulb can last 25 times longer than any other light bulb. 

Why Is Energy Efficient Lighting Important?

Energy efficient luminaires reduce the energy usage of the light bulb without affecting the final lumen output or brightness. An energy efficient light fixture consumes less energy to perform the same function as a traditional lamp. 

These qualities form the basis of energy efficient lighting. Energy efficient lighting does not rely on wattage to deliver good results. It is important to understand that energy consumption does not correlate to the quality of brightness. Therefore energy efficient lights are designed to provide high-quality illumination without increasing your energy bills. 

Some energy efficient lighting may have high upfront costs, which can make consumers apprehensive about switching to these luminaries, however, these lights are highly beneficial in the long run as they produce energy savings. 

Lighting is an important basic requirement of any building, whether it's residential or commercial. Lighting is a significant part of our daily life and impacts our day-to-day activities. Since lighting is so important, it also consumes a significant portion of energy. 

Such high energy consumption levels are not sustainable, and you will experience higher energy costs in the future. To combat such issues, energy efficient lighting is crucial. Lighting takes up a major portion of global energy consumption. 

Even in smaller capacities, it can consume a lot of energy. In a household, lighting takes up 15% of the total energy consumption. When it comes to large scale applications such as industrial usage, lighting can be a major source of energy consumption. 

26% of Europe’s total energy usage comes from light sources. No matter the application, lights are a major contributor to high energy costs; therefore, it is important to invest in energy saving alternatives to make a more sustainable impact. 

Energy efficient lights play a key role when it comes to energy saving. Since these are major sources of electricity consumption, you can expect major savings when you make the switch to energy efficient lighting. 

Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are responsible for high energy consumption due to lighting. These traditional light bulbs, such as incandescent and halogen bulbs, not only waste energy but also produce a lot of heat, damaging the light bulb and requiring frequent replacements. 

Once you install energy efficient luminaries, you might not see immediate savings however, you will experience a major reduction in your energy bills after some time. 

Phasing Out Of Inefficient Lighting

It is important to switch to LED GLS bulbs now more than ever as many governments are phasing out inefficient lighting. In many parts of the world, including Ireland, manufacturers will stop producing incandescent GLS light bulbs in favour of more energy efficient models. 

Several government legislatures are implementing the use energy efficient lighting on a larger scale to cut back on energy consumption and reduce environmental harm. These legislatures are urging manufacturers to scale back on the production of inefficient lighting. 

In fact, the UK plans to phase out all inefficient lighting by 2023. In 2009, Ireland became the first country to propose a ban on incandescent light bulbs in the European region. With many of these luminaries going off the shelf, consumers turned to LED lighting.

In the upcoming years, the Irish government also plans to propose bans on other inefficient lighting, driving up the demand for LED lights. Apart from helping consumers save on energy costs, LED lights are also far more sustainable than other light bulbs. 

These luminaries are expected to cut down 1.26 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Due to these reasons, consumers should expect to see even more innovative LED light bulbs more readily available in the market. 

Some governments are also incentivizing manufacturers to produce more efficient light solutions. The awareness of energy efficient lighting is also increasing, and many people are seeking out energy efficient bulbs instead of their traditional counterparts. 

Due to this high demand, you can expect the energy efficient light industry to reach £324 billion by 2027. With high demand, there will be many more economical and efficient light products to choose from in the future.

How To Use Energy Efficient GLS Light Bulbs?

Here are some important areas where you must implement energy efficient lighting to reduce energy consumption: 

Residential properties: domestic properties, apartments, and other housing facilities are great places to implement energy saving lighting. 

Many homeowners can enjoy major energy saving benefits when switching to LED light solutions. This area is also a great place to spread awareness about energy efficient lighting to increase its use over time and create a positive environmental impact.

Commercial properties: areas such as shopping centres, malls, restaurants, and other such places are almost always in use, sometimes even 24/7. Since these places get a lot of people, it is important for them always to be well lit up, and this much electricity consumption can lead to very high energy costs. 

However, commercial properties are also a great place to experience high energy savings when switching with energy efficient lighting solutions. These luminaries will have a similar impact as domestic energy efficient lighting but on a larger scale. 

Industrial complexes: The industrial sectors function 24/7 and consume a lot of power. This consumption does not only cover lighting but also includes construction equipment and production methods; therefore, it is important for industrialists to switch to energy efficient lighting in order to reduce energy costs. 

Inefficient lighting in this area can also be a major contributor to greenhouse gasses which is why it is important to switch to sustainable light sources.

With these applications, it is easy to see how much difference energy efficient lighting can make in the long run. These light solutions are not only energy efficient, but they also last a long time due to their high-quality structural component. 

Energy efficient luminaries also reduce environmental impact and also reduce heat energy consumption. 

How To Find The Best GLS Light Bulb?

There are several variables that affect a light’s efficiency. Before you purchase the ideal GLS bulb for you, there are several features you must consider to make sure you have the best energy saving GLS light bulb. 

Measure Power Usage With Watts

In light sources, watts measure the unit of power required to operate the light bulb. Most electricity measure this output through kilowatt-hours to determine how much you will be charged for light energy consumption.  

When looking to purchase a light bulb consider the maximum wattage rating of the light fixture, as this will determine the cost of electricity. Since incandescent light bulbs depend heavily on wattage to deliver appropriate brightness, you will end up spending a lot of money on these light bulbs. Another factor to consider about wattage is the heat emissions. 

The electricity flow to the light bulb generates heat, usually in incandescent bulbs; therefore, higher wattage means a higher heat emission. To avoid such issues, you must consider bulbs that operate with a lower wattage than their fixture ratings. 

These bulbs are much safer and more energy efficient. LED light bulbs operate at a lower wattage and generate little to no heat, making them a suitable option for many applications. Also, make sure to check the light fixture’s rating before purchasing a bulb. A light bulb that draws more watts than its fixture will result in overheating, damaged wiring, and a fire hazard. 

Measure Light Emissions With Lumens

When incandescent light bulbs were the popular light source, wattage was used to determine the level of brightness. However, with the invention of LED light, manufacturers have created a different method of measuring light output.

Lumen is now considered one of the best measures of light intensity. If you are looking to replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs, you should look for the lumen output instead of the wattage. Here are some important watts to lumens conversions you must remember:

• If you want to replace a 100W incandescent light bulb, look for an energy efficient bulb that provides 1600 lumens. 
• To replace a 75W bulb, look for an 1100 lumens bulb
• To replace a 60W bulb, look for an 800 lumens bulb
• Replace a 40W bulb with a 450 lumens bulb. 

Even with GLS LEDs, there is a wide variety of choices when it comes to lumen output. There are some LED models that achieve significantly high lumens with a low wattage figure. However, as a general rule, you can easily replace a 100W standard light bulb with a 1600 lumens energy efficient GLS model. 

Another factor to consider regarding light intensity is how many light bulbs you need to reach your desired level of brightness. Some spaces do not need to be as bright. Therefore, they might not require a bulb with a high lumen output. 

For example, you might want the living room and kitchen to be more brightly lit than the hallways. Make sure to assess your brightness requirement before looking at the lumen output. 

Consider The Colour Temperature

Another important factor to consider when purchasing a light bulb is the colour temperature. The light bulb’s colour temperature is important as it determines the mood and atmosphere of a room. 

For a warm and comfortable environment, many consumers prefer using warm white lamps in their households. Alternatively, bright white light bulbs are preferred in retail and office spaces as they illuminate everything clearly. 

Most light bulbs are designed to emit light in a spectrum ranging from yellow to blue. When purchasing light bulbs, you will notice that the colour scale is often measured using the Kelvin Colour Temperature Scale, and you will see the unit denoted with a K. 

It is important to note that 2700K on the Kelvin scale refers to a very yellow light and 7000K is very blue. Therefore, the higher the Kelvin unit, the brighter the white light. Different colour temperatures work well for different applications and ambiences. 

In general, yellow light is used for a warm and relaxed ambience, while blue light is used for alertness and clarity. Here are some ways you can use the colour scale to find your preferred colour of lighting:

• Light bulbs with a temperature between 2000K and 3000K are great for bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms. These bulbs often come in the shade of warm white. 
• Lights between 3500K and 4000K are better suited for locations where you need clear illumination, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and office spaces. Bulbs in this range come in the shade of neutral white or cool white. 
• The 4500K light bulb range is suitable for work and construction areas where clarity and details are more important than the ambience and environment. These bulbs work best for reading and table lamps, and you can also use them for vanity tables. 
• Lights in the 5000K range and higher are better suited for workshops and garages. 

With these factors in mind, you can easily find the best possible energy efficient GLS bulb to fit your lighting needs. 

What Are The Best GLS Light Bulb On The Market?

There are several great options for GLS lighting; however, the sheer volume of choices can be overwhelming, and it is difficult to know which bulb is the most reliable. If you are looking for a range of lighting that gives you energy savings without compromising brightness, visit Meteor Electrical. 

At Meteor, you can browse through our Kosnic range for energy efficient GLS lighting solutions. Kosnic is a leading manufacturer and expert in energy efficient lighting solutions with products available worldwide. 

Kosnic bulbs provide high-quality lighting that will use your energy efficiently with high-quality illumination. Here are some of the best Kosnic GLS bulbs you can find at Meteor. 

Kosnic 9 Watt LED GLSLight Lamp.

If you are starting out with energy efficient lighting, you will prefer the Kosnic 9W LED light lamp. This bulb is a great addition to any household or commercial property and will help you reduce your energy bills in the long run. 

This bulb has a total lumen output of 730, and it can last for 20,000 hours. With these specifications, you will not have to worry about the bulb’s brightness or the replacement costs. 

Kosnic 4 Watt Bayonet GLS Candle LED Light

The Kosnic 4W filament candle light is highly efficient and functional as it provides 100 lumens per wattage. With this light, you get high-quality brightness and major savings without compromising on brightness. 

This light has a more traditional aesthetic compared to other modern, efficient lighting. However, it has high-grade technology with a lifespan of over 20,000 hours.  

Kosnic 9 Watt LED GLS With Edison Screw

If you want a different GLS option, choose the Kosnic 9 watt Edison screw model. This light bulb comes with all the great benefits of an LED light but with a different base component. The Kosnic LED GLS is highly efficient and performs far better than any other traditional light bulb. 

Kosnic 5 Watt Frosted Bayonet Cap LED

This 5 Watt frosted bayonet lamp is part of Kosnic’s energy efficient and affordable LED light range. This light bulb has a lifespan of 20,000 hours and is very easy to install, so you can easily replace your traditional light bulb with this Kosnic lamp. This lamp provides warm white lighting, which makes it ideal for households. 

Kosnic 5-Watt Frosted Bayonet Candle Lamp

The 5 watt frosted candle bulb is a versatile lamp that can work in many applications. This lamp is also highly efficient and can save you up to 85% of energy costs compared to incandescent or traditional light bulbs. With a lifespan of 20,000 hours, you can don’t have to worry about maintenance costs. 

Final Takeaway

GLS light bulbs are one of the most common luminaries available today however, these lamps have gone through multiple changes so that consumers have the most efficient model. If you are looking for a GLS light bulb that is reliable and long-lasting, choose LED GLS bulbs as your next lighting solution.