Why is the choice of color temperature important? An amber glow and candlelight are not the kind of lighting you would choose to illuminate your car while you fix it, or to light a desk or office so you can work. Understanding color temperatures and the mood they evoke can help you choose lighting.
Now that a variety of color temperatures are available for lighting our businesses and homes, anyone selecting a light bulb for a specific purpose needs to know what kind of light is produced by a 2700K, 5000K, or even 6500K LED light bulb before making a purchase. The useful table with lighting application descriptions (see below) will help you choose the right bulb and design your lighting plan to meet your individual needs.
Quick overview of color temperatures in Kelvin
Absolute color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin (K) on a scale of 1,000 to 10,000. This measurement can be used to describe the quality of a light. In commercial and residential lighting applications, Kelvin temperatures are somewhere on a scale of 2000 K to 6500 K. If you want to achieve a certain look and feel in a space, it's helpful to choose the color temperature that best fits the needs of your project.
The lower the temperature, the warmer the look; the higher the temperature, the cooler the look.
Light Appearance, Color Temperature, and the Mood Created
The color temperatures of light in the visible spectrum range from red to blue, as you can see in the table above and in the details about Kelvin and color temperature on our Lighting 101 page. When we look at candlelight that has a warm color temperature (about 2200 K), it evokes a nostalgic mood. The light may warm you and make you feel comfortable. This feeling of warmth makes it an ideal decorative light.
These are the types of moods or ambiance you can create with Sunco LED lamps:
2000K - Warm amber glow = Cozy, warm.
2200K - Amber Glow = Intimate, Warm
2700K - Soft White = Relaxing, calming, inviting, vintage style
3000K - Warm White = Soothing, Friendly, Inviting
4000K - Cool White = Bright, Clean, Precise, Vibrant
5000K - Daylight = Crisp, Invigorating
5500K - Daylight Glow = Invigorating
6500K - Daylight Deluxe = awake, intense
7000K - Diamond White = intense, brilliant
A Brief Review of LED Lighting Applications
When selecting an LED bulb from the Sunco catalog, use the downloadable chart above to determine which color temperature is appropriate for various lighting applications. Simply find the application that matches your lighting plan and select the appropriate color temperature.
For example, let's say you want to create a space in your dining room or family room for relaxing and entertaining. Based on our chart, you could choose a warmer tone for decorative accents with 2000K or 2200K, and use color temperatures from 2700K to 3000K for a neutral light with a soft white or warm yellow tone.
For task lighting, we recommend a cooler color temperature, starting at 4000K Cool White, 5000K Daylight and higher. These color temperatures will give you clean and clear lighting for high-precision work. They keep you focused and on task.
