ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING PROGRAM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are LEDs and why should I use them?
LEDs (which stand for light-emitting diodes) are a more energy-efficient alternative to
standard incandescent light bulbs.
LEDs have several advantages over incandescent lighting technology: they use about 75%
less energy, produce 90% less heat, and can last up to 25 times longer. They provide a
flicker-free start, are environmentally friendly, and come in a variety of styles.
Although LEDs may be more expensive to purchase initially, you save money in the long run
because they use less energy and last longer. Energy-efficient LEDs can be used anywhere
incandescent bulbs are used: in recessed fixtures, table lamps, ceiling fixtures, porch lights,
vanity bars and more.
I want to replace my 60-watt incandescent light bulb. How do I select the best LED?
A watt is actually a measure of power consumption. When purchasing a light bulb, what you
are really after is light output, which is measured in lumens. When you purchase a 60-watt
incandescent bulb, you are getting about 800 lumens. By selecting a 10-watt ENERGY STAR®
qualified LED instead, you still get 800 lumens of light output, but it requires much
less power.
Finding an ENERGY STAR qualified LED that will put out the same amount of light as your
current incandescent bulb is easy. All light bulb packages have labels, like the one shown
here, that tell you what you need to know about the bulb, much like nutrition labels on food.
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…
1
2
3
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1. Choose the bulb based on how bright
you need it to be, measured in lumens.
2. Determine which bulb has the lowest
estimated energy cost per year.
3. Choose other features you prefer, such
as lifetime, lamp application and light
appearance (color).
How do I find a bulb using lumens
instead of watts?
LESS BRIGHT
MOST EFFICIENT
LEDs
Standard
Incandescent
Efficient
Incandescent
450
40W*
29W
$4 / yr
$0.67 / yr
800
60W
43W
10W
1100
75W
53W
15W
1600
100W
72W
19W
lumens
$5 / yr**
lumens
MORE BRIGHT
Look for lumens, which measure the
brightness of the light. The higher the
number, the brighter the light. Then
look for the type of bulb that uses the
fewest watts of power. For example, as
shown in the chart, a 60-watt
incandescent, 43-watt efficient
incandescent and 10-watt LED all have
800 lumens, so the brightness of the
bulb is the same, but the LED uses the
least amount of power.
LEAST EFFICIENT
$8 / yr
$6 / yr
$10 / yr
lumens
$7 / yr
$13 / yr
lumens
$10 / yr
RATED LIFE = 1 year***
RATED LIFE = 1-2 year
5W
$1 / yr
$2 / yr
$2 / yr
RATED LIFE = 15-25 years
*Energy use **Average national energy cost per year ***Based on 3 hour of use per day
What does color (light appearance) mean?
Just like incandescent bulbs, LEDs have different options for light appearance, which is
measured on a Kelvin (K) color temperature scale. Color “temperature” describes light
appearance. Low color temperatures appear yellow, while higher temperatures look whiter. If
you want a warm, yellow light like sunrise and sunset, choose a bulb with a low temperature
around 2700K. For a cool, crisp light like the white daylight of noon, choose a higher
temperature, around 3500K or above.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOR
2700-3100 = WARM WHITE
4000K-5000K = COOL WHITE
6000K-6500K = DAYLIGHT
Warm glow mimics the feel of an
incandescent and is ideal for
bedrooms, dining rooms and
living areas.
Soft, clean light is ideal for
kitchens, bathrooms, reading and
working.
Crisp daylight is close to sunlight
and ideal for reading and
detail-oriented activities.
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Is it important to buy an ENERGY STAR qualified LED?
ENERGY STAR qualified LEDs are different from other LEDs on the market because they have
been tested to meet stringent performance criteria established by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE). The criteria ensures that all bulbs
earning the ENERGY STAR meet minimum lifetime and efficacy requirements, and are within
maximum allowed product start and warm-up times.
Manufacturers are also required to label the product if the light output is different than that
of a soft white incandescent. If you choose an LED that is not ENERGY STAR qualified, you
might not get the performance you were looking for.
How are LEDs so efficient?
Incandescent light bulbs work by heating a tungsten filament, or wire, until it glows. This is
what produces the light you see. Unfortunately, 90% of the energy used to generate that
light is wasted as heat, making incandescent bulbs a very inefficient way to light your home.
LEDs are referred to as solid-state lighting technology, or SSL. Basically, instead of emitting
light from a vacuum (as in an incandescent bulb) or a gas (as in a CFL), an SSL emits light
from a piece of solid matter. In the case of a traditional LED, that piece of matter is a
semiconductor. An electrical current passed through semiconductor material illuminates the
tiny light sources we call LEDs. The little bit of heat produced is absorbed into a heat sink,
keeping the bulb cool.
Can LEDs be used in recessed cans, outdoor lights or track lighting?
Yes! Always read the package to be sure of its proper application, but there are a wide
variety of ENERGY STAR qualified LEDs that are designed for use in most fixtures in your
home or business.
Product types include:
A-shaped omni-directional bulbs – These general-purpose bulbs shine light in all directions, so they can
replace incandescent bulbs in ceiling lights, lamps, wall sconces and more.
Globes – Good in fixtures where the bulb is exposed, such as bathroom vanity lights or pendant lamps.
Reflectors – Intended for recessed cans, track lighting and even protected outdoor spot lights.
Candle shapes – For use in some porch lights, in wall sconces and in some chandeliers.
Check the packaging to confirm the LED is rated for dimmable fixtures. Using LEDs that are not labeled
“dimmable” in a dimmable fixture can shorten their lifetime.
Can I use an LED on a dimming switch/circuit?
Make sure your LED bulb has the word “dimmable” on the packaging before using it with a
dimmer switch. However, be aware that LEDs have a more limited dimming range, so the
bulb may turn off before the switch is dimmed completely. If you experience problems with
your bulb, you may want to check that your dimmer switch is compatible with the bulb type
and replace it if it is not.
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