"Eric and Megan Swope" wrote in message
news:Ibhoe.3219$zT2.1802@trndny04...
Hi everyone. In my basement, I have a drop ceiling. In the spot where I
have the 2 clear tiles for lighting, instead of fluorescent lights, the
original homeowner pout in light housing for normal screw in light bulbs
that are nailed to the floor joists. The maximum watt light bulb I can
put in these housing is 150 watt. So in my basement now I have 2x150 watt
light bulb illuminating my area. My question is this, what will give me
an overall brighter basement, 2x150 watt light bulbs, or if I buy two
fluorescent worklights, each one holding 2x40 watt fluorescent tubes for a
total of 4x40 watts (I believe the brightest fluorescent tubes are only 40
watts?). I know simple math seems to say the 300 watt total from the light
bulbs would do it, but I would say every 2 months or so one of the 150
watters blows out (we use our basement a lot, so the lights can be on for
hours at a time). Cost of these bulbs isn't a major issue however, the
lighting is more so. Any advice is appreciated.

Incandescent bulbs are rated in both watts and lumens. While a higher watt
rating does make for more light, it is really a measure of power
consumption. Lumens in the light output. Compare the 150 watts with the
tubes. A regular 150 watt bulb puts out about.2100 lumens

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....plate=printart
42 Watt, 10,000 Hour Rated Life, 2650 Initial Lumens, Replaces 150 Watt
Soft-White Incandescent, Estimated 70% Energy Cost Savings vs. Incandescent,
Screw-in Base & Self-Ballasted Excellent CRI, Warm 2700K color