Quick Answer: Lumens give an accurate measure of light, regardless of Wattage. In this scenario, the increasing Wattage means nothing, as the brightest bulb is actually the lower Wattage LED, and the most dim bulb is the highest Wattage Halogen bulb. This presents some consumers with something of a puzzle when faced with a choice between a 13W LED bulb, a 15W CFL bulb, and an 18W Halogen bulb. Due to the overwhelming longevity and energy efficient benefits of installing LED lights throughout the home, LEDs have quickly taken over as the savvy choice of domestic bulb. However, bulbs have moved on, and this is no longer the case.
Therefore, Watts naturally became an indication of brightness. The reason for the confusion is that traditional - and now largely obsolete - incandescent bulbs emitted light by means of passing electricity through a suspended filament that burned at a higher temperature and brightness in correlation to the greater amount of Watts being passed through it. So why did we ever use Watts to measure brightness in the first place? We didn’t. The greater the Wattage, the higher the power supply to the bulb (which technically says nothing about the expected brightness). What are Lumens? Firstly, Wattage measures power not brightness. But what are lumens? And why has Wattage been abandoned as the standard unit of brightness? How are we supposed to gauge which bulb to use? Luckily, we’ve put together a Lumens to Watts chart, because Lumens are the new measure of brightness and they’re here to stay. Pair these with your home’s smart hub and control lighting from the palm of your hand.If you have recently purchased a light bulb, you may have noticed a switch on the packaging from Watts to Lumens. We also carry ceiling fan light bulbs, LED tube lights and even smart light bulbs. Want to highlight your collection of house plants? Look for a plant light to do just that. Edison bulbs are a popular design trend, bringing a nostalgic, antique-inspired look to your space along with a soft glow. Go beyond the normal white light range and opt for colored light bulbs to create a unique mood in a room. Globe lights might be a good option for non-enclosed fixtures so you can showcase their spherical shape. Next, explore the different styles and features of bulbs. These range from soft white to daylight, which is perfect for active spaces. Bulbs feature different Kelvin temperatures that represent the light’s color. The amount of energy a light bulb uses is measured in watts, so look for a lower wattage to save on your electricity bill. The amount of light emitted from a bulb is measured in lumens: the more lumens, the brighter the shine.
LED light bulbs are the most energy-efficient type of bulb available, using a light-emitting diode that offers a long life span and can be used in any application.įirst, knowing light bulb basics like lumens and wattage can help you pick the right bulb for your fixture. CFL light bulbs, also called compact fluorescent lights, are energy-saving light bulbs that use up to 1/3 less energy than incandescent bulbs. Big warehouses or streetlights may use high-intensity discharge or HID lights, which don’t have filaments and therefore last longer. Typically tube-shaped, fluorescent light bulbs also use less energy than incandescent bulbs and create a sharp light perfect for spaces like office buildings and basements. Halogen light bulbs operate similarly to incandescent, heating the filament until it glows, but these use less energy. These bulbs are designed with a filament inside that heats up and glows. Until LEDs showed up on the scene, incandescent bulbs were the traditional choice for a long time. Depending on your energy and design goals, it’s always good to know the difference between them. There are many different types of light bulbs to choose from. From traditional and LED bulbs to ones that provide a decorative touch, Lowe’s has the bulbs you need to bring the right illumination to your space.