Check out /rebate-finder for more information. Because these bulbs are independently certified to meet higher standards, warranties must be longer than the industry norm – at least three years for LEDs.ĮNERGY STAR certified bulbs may help you earn rebates from your utility company. This means that these bulbs use 20-30% less energy than required by federal standards. You may come across the ENERGY STAR® symbol on certain labels when shopping for light bulbs. LEDs can last 20 years or more, while incandescent bulbs usually last less than one year. The number of years you see on the light bulb’s label refers to that useful period of life. Instead, the light that’s emitted by the diode begins to fade over time and is considered useful until it has diminished by 30%. LED bulbs have significantly longer lifespans when compared to their incandescent cousins. Cooler bulbs are handy in desk, task, and reading lamps. Warmer bulbs are ideal for living room and bedroom light fixtures. Warm color temperatures (2700K – 3000K) appear to have a soft, golden hue, while cool color temperatures (5000K and above) appear to have a bluish tint similar to natural daylight. The color temperature of a bulb determines the appearance of its light. This term typically refers to an LED bulb’s color temperature, which is measured in Kelvin (K), and ranges on a scale from warm to cool. Here are basic brightness equivalents of LED bulbs (lumens) versus incandescent bulbs (watts): Therefore, to get a more accurate account of brightness, regulations now require listing lumens on light bulb packaging instead of watts. Today’s energy-efficient LED lighting options produce more lumens by using far less energy. Unlike lumens, wattage refers to the amount of energy a bulb uses. Historically, wattage was used to measure light output, especially for incandescent bulbs. What are lumens? To put it simply, lumens are a direct measure of a bulb’s brightness, or luminosity. Here are basic explanations and definitions of the typical terms found on the Lighting Facts label. The purpose of the Lighting Facts label is to provide consumers with useful information when purchasing energy-efficient bulbs for common residential lighting fixtures. This required label is modeled after the Nutrition Facts label found on all food packages. Reading the Labelīack in 2012, the Federal Trade Commission mandated that all light bulb packaging include a Lighting Facts label. Hopefully this brief light bulb guide will make you a more confident, in-the-know consumer, and prevent frustration next time you purchase LED bulbs for your home. We understand that some of the terms found on today’s light bulb packaging sound unfamiliar or confusing. If you need a quick refresher course in reading a light bulb box, TCP is here to help. To find the right bulbs for your fixtures, you have to properly understand the “lighting lingo” on each light bulb label or box. When compared to incandescent light sources, LEDs not only use completely different technology to create light, they also use different terms to describe their light. Energy-saving LEDs are the new bulbs of choice among today’s budget-conscious, environmentally aware consumers. Once-popular incandescent bulbs have faded significantly in use. But with all the different types of light bulbs currently available, it can become quite challenging rather quickly. Going to the store and buying a light bulb seems like a simple enough task.
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