Shopping for the Right Lightbulb

May 15, 2020

Today, there are several lightbulb options available in stores that are  much more energy efficient than standard incandescent lightbulbs. And since prices on energy-saving bulbs are a lot more affordable, it’s become much easier to be energy efficient and save on lighting costs.

When shopping for lightbulbs, here’s what you should keep in mind:

Look for ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs

ENERGY STAR-qualified LED lightbulbs use only 20%–25% of the energy and last 15 to 25 times longer than the standard incandescent bulbs they replace.

Read the Product Label

An easy-to-read product label is printed on the packaging of most lightbulbs. It indicates the bulb’s brightness, light color/appearance, energy use, estimated energy costs, and lifespan.

Brightness is measured in lumens

In the past, the brightness of a lightbulb was measured in watts, but since the introduction of energy-saving bulbs, this is a less useful measure of brightness. You can choose bulbs for the brightness you want by comparing lumens instead of watts. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the lightbulb.

Energy-efficient bulbs are available in many styles, sizes, and colors

LED bulbs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes for any application, including recessed cans, track lighting, table lamps, and more. You can even find LED bulbs that are dimmable. They range in colors from warm yellow to cool blue.

Choosing the right kind of lightbulbs for your home can have a significant impact on your energy consumption. With energy-saving lightbulbs, you can light your home using the same amount of light, while using a lot less energy.

To learn more about lighting options, visit union-power.com/lighting.