If we all replace one incandescent bulb with a compact
fluorescent, we’ll save enough electricity to power 1,800 homes.
Working together we can make a difference.
Contact us for information about:
• Heating/Air-conditioning.
• Insulating/Weatherizing.
• Lighting.
• Windows/Doors.
• Appliances.
• Water heating.
Get more home energy information at:
• mge.com/home.
• Home Energy Line 608-252-7117.
• 800-245-1125.
Questions about billing? Call:
• 608-252-7222.
• 800-245-1125.
printed on recycled paper
your community energy company
C M Y K
lighting
bright new ideas
taking responsibility
listening. learning.
As an individual, your efficient use of energy brings benefits
such as lower bills, improved comfort levels in your home and
a reduced personal impact on the environment.
MGE takes responsibility to provide information and education
to serve our customers and stakeholders. We educate customers
today to help inform their decision making. We educate
tomorrow’s stakeholders so they can help plan our energy future.
Acting together, our individual choices add up—for the benefit
of our community, our environment and our energy future.
That’s the power of working together.
As your community energy company, we are committed to
sharing our experience and energy expertise. You can always
contact us for:
• Answers to your energy questions.
• Energy efficiency information and advice.
• Help in evaluating energy-saving options.
• Assistance in finding energy-efficient products.
CN000019 01/07/2015
Better ways to illuminate your world
This booklet offers a world of easy, innovative ways to save
energy and money while lighting your home. Visit mge.com
or call us at 252-7117 for more information on these and other
energy-saving ideas.
Table of contents
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Look for lumens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Make sure the bulb will fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Make sure light goes where it’s needed . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Make sure the bulb is suitable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What info can I find on the bulb packaging? . . . . . . . . 4
Get your preferred color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Incentives in Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Specialty bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Dimmer switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Recessed lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Three-way bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Lighting controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Controls for lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Frequently asked questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Recycling/disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Glossary of terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
12
1
Confused by the new lightbulb options? This guide can help
you choose bulbs for your home.
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label
To earn ENERGY STAR certification, lightbulbs
have to meet standards for efficiency, color of
light, reliability and
length of warranty. You
can find the ENERGY
STAR label on both
compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and
CFL
LED
light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
Look for lumens
To make sure the bulb is bright enough, check the label for how
many lumens it puts out. Lumens = brightness, but watts = power
used. Lumens per watt for lights is like miles per gallon for cars.
BRIGHTNESS
For brightness, look for lumens, not watts. Lumens indicate light output. Watts indicate
energy consumed. ENERGY STAR-certified bulbs provide the same brightness (lumens)
with less energy (watts). Use this chart to determine how many lumens you need to
match the brightness of your old incandescent bulbs.
Old Incandescent Bulbs
(Watts)
40
60
75
100
150
Source: ENERGY STAR
2
Resources
Advice on lighting plus a product finder for ENERGY STARcertified bulbs: www.energystar.gov/lighting
MGE’s lighting web page: mge.com/home/appliances/lighting
Incentives from Focus On Energy: https://focusonenergy.com/
residential/efficient-products-appliances/lighting-andappliances
Room-by-room guides plus advice on lighting techniques and
equipment: http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/patternbook/
Best practices, design and efficiency for residential lighting:
http://www.ieslightlogic.org/
Preventing light pollution/protecting dark skies:
www.darksky.org (also has links to other lighting information)
Lighting for older adults
Lighting the Way: A Key to Independence by Mariana Gross
Figueiro: www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/lightHealth/AARP/
ENERGY STAR Bulb Brightness
(Minimum Lumens)
450
800
1,100
1,600
2,600
11
Glossary of terms
Ballast: A device needed to operate fluorescent and highintensity discharge (HID) lights. Electronic ballasts are better
than old-style magnetic ballasts for most purposes.
Bulb life: Number of hours the average bulb will operate.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs): CFLs are small fluorescent
tubes bent into compact shapes. Most CFLs come with an integral
ballast, but two-piece designs have a separate ballast that
lasts through four or five lamps (40,000 to 50,000 hours).
ENERGY STAR: U.S. gov­ernment program that identifies energy-saving products. Get more information at www.energystar.
gov or call 1-888-star-yes (1-888-782-7937).
Lumen: Measures the total light output of a bulb. The higher
the lumen output, the brighter the bulb.
Lumens per watt (LPW): Higher LPW bulbs are more efficient,
much like a car that gets more miles per gallon.
Watt: The amount of power needed to operate a lightbulb.
Watts equal power in, not light out.
T5, T8, T12, etc.: Fluorescent tubes of different diameters.
The “T” stands for tubular; the number is tube diameter in
1/8-inch increments. A T5 has a diameter of 5/8 of an inch
and fits in shallow spaces such as under a kitchen cabinet.
T8s are generally more efficient than the standard T12 tubes.
However, people are still in the habit of selecting bulbs by
wattage. Lightbulbs still show “replacement” watts on their
packaging so you can compare them to equivalent old-style
incandescent bulbs. If you’ve been disappointed by bulbs
being too dim, choose a bulb with more lumens. More lumens
means a brighter bulb.
Make sure the bulb will fit
Bulbs come in different sizes and shapes. Recessed lights
and lamps with shades are examples of places where you may
need to choose bulbs carefully. Also, some bulbs are heavier
than normal and might make some table lamps or floor lamps
top-heavy and easier to tip over.
Make sure light goes where it’s needed
For lamps used for reading or
similar tasks, make sure light
is directed downward. Look for
pear-shaped bulbs that shine in
all directions. These bulbs are
sometimes labeled “omnidirectional.”
Omnidirectional bulbs are not
recommended for recessed can
lights because light is wasted
within the fixture.
Table lamp comparison
In table and floor lamps, you want the light to shine
in all directions, so look for ENERGY STAR-labeled
bulbs that are omnidirectional.
Recessed can comparison
For downlights and recessed cans, install ENERGY
STAR reflector LED bulbs. The light going upward
from omnidirectional bulbs can be wasted inside
the fixture.
Source: National Resources Defense Council
10
3
Make sure the bulb is suitable
How long is the guarantee on ENERGY STAR certified bulbs?
Read the fine print on the package. Typical cautions or warnings
may say the bulb is not suitable for:
ENERGY STAR CFLs are guaranteed to last at least two years,
while ENERGY STAR LEDs are guaranteed for three years.
Save your receipt!
• Dimmers.
LIFETIME SAVINGS (20 years)
• Totally enclosed fixtures.
• Photo controls (dusk-to-dawn controls).
ENERGY STAR-certified bulbs last
• Motion detectors/occupancy sensors.
than standard incandescent bulbs
10-25 times longer
• Wet or outdoor locations.
1 12-watt LED ENERGY STAR-certified lightbulb
Total cost: $60
• Electronic timers.
2.5 13-watt ENERGY STAR-certified lightbulbs
What info can I find on the bulb packaging?
the savings
Look at See
the Lighting
Facts label.on
Total cost: $45
new bulb labels
The
label– The
will
tell
you:information on the
Brightness
most
important
label and the only way to know for sure how much light
bulb provides. of the bulb.
• the
Brightness
25 60-watt incandescent lightbulbs
ENERGY STAR Logo – Indicates which CFLs and LEDs
• meet
Cost
to run
bulbforfor
ENERGY
STAR the
requirements
efficiency, lifetime
and quality.
a year (estimated).
Total cost: $180
Life – Estimates in years how long the bulb will last.
bulbs
savebulb
you the hassle of frequent bulb
• Long
Lifelifeof
the
changes and help ensure that more efficient bulbs pay
(estimated).
for
themselves over time.
Appearance – Tells you the shade of light.
• Light
Color/appearance
of
Incandescents produce warm white light—between
2700
K
and
3000
K.
Bulbs
that
produce
cooler or more
the bulb (warmer yellow
bluish light will be between 4000 K to 6500 K. Most
buyers
will prefer the
warm white color.
vs. cooler
blue).
Used (watts) – Measures bulb energy use,
• Energy
Energy
used (watts).
not
brightness.
Contains Mercury – CFLs contain extremely low levels
Source: National Resources Defense Council
Plus,
if the
bulb
contains
of mercury,
less than
2.5 mg,
and are completely safe to
use in normal operation. (www.nrdc.org/legislation/files/
mercury,
the
Lighting
lightbulbmercury.pdf) contains more information.
Facts label includes a link
to cleanup and recycling/
disposal information.
Source: ENERGY STAR
Recycling/disposal
Fluorescent bulbs are banned from Dane County landfills
because they contain mercury. Stores that sell fluorescent
bulbs in Dane County are required to collect and recycle them.
For more information and a list of Dane County bulb recycling
locations, see www.countyofdane.com/pwht/recycle/lamps_
bulbs.aspx.
To recycle bulbs outside of Dane County, see
https://focusonenergy.com/learning-center/residential/
recycling/light-bulb-recycling.
4
9
I had a hard time finding ENERGY STAR LED bulbs at the store.
Is this normal?
LED bulbs that meet ENERGY STAR requirements may be hard
to find because testing takes a long time to complete. Once
LEDs have been around longer, it should become easier to find
ENERGY STAR-certified LED bulbs in stores.
Do LEDs have potential disadvantages?
LEDs for general use in homes are new to the market, so they
don’t have an established track record. Here are potential
disadvantages:
• LEDs can shift color over time, and the color quality varies
among brands.
• Some LEDs flicker, although people vary in how much they
notice flicker.
• LEDs lose brightness toward the end of their life, rather than
burning out.
• LEDs generally have a higher purchase price.
• Directional LEDs can cause glare. (Glare can be a problem
with other types of bulbs too.)
What are the advantages of LEDs?
• Direct light—LEDs are ideal for under-cabinet and recessed
lighting.
• Durability—LEDs can perform well outdoors and in cold
temperatures, but check the label to make sure the bulb is
OK for use outdoors. LED holiday lights are noted for durability compared to other types.
• Instant light—LEDs do not require warm-up time to reach full
brightness.
• Rapid cycling—Turning LEDs on and off frequently doesn’t
shorten their life, and they reach full brightness instantly.
• Long lasting—Quality LEDs come with an estimated life of
25,000 to 50,000 hours. In contrast, a typical incandescent
bulb will last about 1,000 hours and CFLs about 10,000 hours.
8
Get your preferred color
The label will show how warm or cool the light from the bulb
will appear as measured on the Kelvin scale (K).
COLOR /APPEARANCE
ENERGY STAR-certified bulbs are available in a wide range of colors. Light color or
appearance matches a temperature on the Kelvin scale (K). Lower K means warmer,
yellowish light, while higher K means cooler, bluer light.
2700K
Warm
3000K
Warm White,
Soft White
Standard color of
incandescent bulbs.
3500K
4100K
Cool White,
Natural White
Good for kitchens
and work spaces.
5000K
6500K
Cool
Natural or Daylight
(think blue sky at noon)
Good for reading.
Source: ENERGY STAR
Try bulbs with different color temperatures if you have a preference for warmer or cooler light. Beware of using both warm and
cool lighting in the same room because you may not like the
appearance.
Incentives in Wisconsin
Look for Focus on Energy
labels on shelves in stores
to get an in-store discount.
(No rebates or coupons are
needed, but incentives may
change or be discontinued.)
5
Specialty bulbs
Controls for lighting
Dimmer switches
• Motion sensors are popular for outdoor fixtures but are not
compatible with fluorescent or high-pressure sodium lights.
If the light is controlled by a dimmer switch look
for an ENERGY STAR-certified bulb that is marked
“dimmable” because not all are. The package or
the manufacturer’s website should provide a list
for dimmer compatibility.
Recessed lighting
Recessed lighting is a perfect place for ENERGY
STAR-certified reflector bulbs. ENERGY STARcertified reflector bulbs are designed and tested
to operate efficiently in this hot environment while
non-certified bulbs and other types like spirals
generally are not. ENERGY STAR-certified LED reflectors provide
excellent light instantly in one direction and last about 22 years.
CFL reflectors are also a good choice but have a less distinct
beam of light and take a little while to reach full brightness.
Three-way bulbs
Does the fixture have a three-way switch to provide three different light levels? If it does, you’ll
need to look for an ENERGY STAR-certified bulb
that is specially designed to provide three different light levels and marked “Three-way.” Note:
Less efficient traditional three-way bulbs are still sold.
Lighting controls
Is the fixture connected to any controls such as
a timer, motion sensor or dusk-to-dawn photo
sensor? Check your controls and the bulb package to make sure they are compatible.
Source: ENERGY STAR
6
• Dusk-to-dawn photocells are a good idea if you want to leave
a light on all night. If using a CFL, check for compatibility to
avoid creating a fire hazard.
• Timers turn indoor lights on and off. They do not save much
energy; they avoid leaving lights on unnecessarily. If putting a
CFL on a timer, only use a mechanical timer, not a digital one.
• Occupancy sensors turn lights on when a room becomes
occupied and turn lights off after the room has emptied.
Frequently asked questions
If a socket is labeled “60 watts max,” can I use a CFL or LED
bulb that’s brighter?
Yes, the actual wattage of a bulb is all that matters, not the
“equivalent” or “replacement” wattage on packaging for CFL
and LED bulbs. Look for the actual watts used by a bulb. As
long as it’s below the safety rating on the socket, it’s OK.
Is it better to leave fluorescent lights on due to the surge of
power it takes to start them?
No, this persistent belief isn’t supported by facts. The inrush
current lasts for a fraction of a second, so off is better than on
if you’re trying to save electricity.
What kind of bulbs can I put inside an enclosed fixture?
Any type as long as the bulbs are labeled as OK for enclosed
fixtures.
Are there bulbs that reach full brightness instantly?
Yes, LEDs and halogen incandescent bulbs reach full brightness instantly. Most CFLs take a while to reach full brightness,
so look for CFLs with phrases such as “instant on,” “full brightness instantly” or “bright from the start” on the package if this
feature is important to you.
7
Specialty bulbs
Controls for lighting
Dimmer switches
• Motion sensors are popular for outdoor fixtures but are not
compatible with fluorescent or high-pressure sodium lights.
If the light is controlled by a dimmer switch look
for an ENERGY STAR-certified bulb that is marked
“dimmable” because not all are. The package or
the manufacturer’s website should provide a list
for dimmer compatibility.
Recessed lighting
Recessed lighting is a perfect place for ENERGY
STAR-certified reflector bulbs. ENERGY STARcertified reflector bulbs are designed and tested
to operate efficiently in this hot environment while
non-certified bulbs and other types like spirals
generally are not. ENERGY STAR-certified LED reflectors provide
excellent light instantly in one direction and last about 22 years.
CFL reflectors are also a good choice but have a less distinct
beam of light and take a little while to reach full brightness.
Three-way bulbs
Does the fixture have a three-way switch to provide three different light levels? If it does, you’ll
need to look for an ENERGY STAR-certified bulb
that is specially designed to provide three different light levels and marked “Three-way.” Note:
Less efficient traditional three-way bulbs are still sold.
Lighting controls
Is the fixture connected to any controls such as
a timer, motion sensor or dusk-to-dawn photo
sensor? Check your controls and the bulb package to make sure they are compatible.
Source: ENERGY STAR
6
• Dusk-to-dawn photocells are a good idea if you want to leave
a light on all night. If using a CFL, check for compatibility to
avoid creating a fire hazard.
• Timers turn indoor lights on and off. They do not save much
energy; they avoid leaving lights on unnecessarily. If putting a
CFL on a timer, only use a mechanical timer, not a digital one.
• Occupancy sensors turn lights on when a room becomes
occupied and turn lights off after the room has emptied.
Frequently asked questions
If a socket is labeled “60 watts max,” can I use a CFL or LED
bulb that’s brighter?
Yes, the actual wattage of a bulb is all that matters, not the
“equivalent” or “replacement” wattage on packaging for CFL
and LED bulbs. Look for the actual watts used by a bulb. As
long as it’s below the safety rating on the socket, it’s OK.
Is it better to leave fluorescent lights on due to the surge of
power it takes to start them?
No, this persistent belief isn’t supported by facts. The inrush
current lasts for a fraction of a second, so off is better than on
if you’re trying to save electricity.
What kind of bulbs can I put inside an enclosed fixture?
Any type as long as the bulbs are labeled as OK for enclosed
fixtures.
Are there bulbs that reach full brightness instantly?
Yes, LEDs and halogen incandescent bulbs reach full brightness instantly. Most CFLs take a while to reach full brightness,
so look for CFLs with phrases such as “instant on,” “full brightness instantly” or “bright from the start” on the package if this
feature is important to you.
7
I had a hard time finding ENERGY STAR LED bulbs at the store.
Is this normal?
LED bulbs that meet ENERGY STAR requirements may be hard
to find because testing takes a long time to complete. Once
LEDs have been around longer, it should become easier to find
ENERGY STAR-certified LED bulbs in stores.
Do LEDs have potential disadvantages?
LEDs for general use in homes are new to the market, so they
don’t have an established track record. Here are potential
disadvantages:
• LEDs can shift color over time, and the color quality varies
among brands.
• Some LEDs flicker, although people vary in how much they
notice flicker.
• LEDs lose brightness toward the end of their life, rather than
burning out.
• LEDs generally have a higher purchase price.
• Directional LEDs can cause glare. (Glare can be a problem
with other types of bulbs too.)
What are the advantages of LEDs?
• Direct light—LEDs are ideal for under-cabinet and recessed
lighting.
• Durability—LEDs can perform well outdoors and in cold
temperatures, but check the label to make sure the bulb is
OK for use outdoors. LED holiday lights are noted for durability compared to other types.
• Instant light—LEDs do not require warm-up time to reach full
brightness.
• Rapid cycling—Turning LEDs on and off frequently doesn’t
shorten their life, and they reach full brightness instantly.
• Long lasting—Quality LEDs come with an estimated life of
25,000 to 50,000 hours. In contrast, a typical incandescent
bulb will last about 1,000 hours and CFLs about 10,000 hours.
8
Get your preferred color
The label will show how warm or cool the light from the bulb
will appear as measured on the Kelvin scale (K).
COLOR /APPEARANCE
ENERGY STAR-certified bulbs are available in a wide range of colors. Light color or
appearance matches a temperature on the Kelvin scale (K). Lower K means warmer,
yellowish light, while higher K means cooler, bluer light.
2700K
Warm
3000K
Warm White,
Soft White
Standard color of
incandescent bulbs.
3500K
4100K
Cool White,
Natural White
Good for kitchens
and work spaces.
5000K
6500K
Cool
Natural or Daylight
(think blue sky at noon)
Good for reading.
Source: ENERGY STAR
Try bulbs with different color temperatures if you have a preference for warmer or cooler light. Beware of using both warm and
cool lighting in the same room because you may not like the
appearance.
Incentives in Wisconsin
Look for Focus on Energy
labels on shelves in stores
to get an in-store discount.
(No rebates or coupons are
needed, but incentives may
change or be discontinued.)
5
Make sure the bulb is suitable
How long is the guarantee on ENERGY STAR certified bulbs?
Read the fine print on the package. Typical cautions or warnings
may say the bulb is not suitable for:
ENERGY STAR CFLs are guaranteed to last at least two years,
while ENERGY STAR LEDs are guaranteed for three years.
Save your receipt!
• Dimmers.
LIFETIME SAVINGS (20 years)
• Totally enclosed fixtures.
• Photo controls (dusk-to-dawn controls).
ENERGY STAR-certified bulbs last
• Motion detectors/occupancy sensors.
than standard incandescent bulbs
10-25 times longer
• Wet or outdoor locations.
1 12-watt LED ENERGY STAR-certified lightbulb
Total cost: $60
• Electronic timers.
2.5 13-watt ENERGY STAR-certified lightbulbs
What info can I find on the bulb packaging?
the savings
Look at See
the Lighting
Facts label.on
Total cost: $45
new bulb labels
The
label– The
will
tell
you:information on the
Brightness
most
important
label and the only way to know for sure how much light
bulb provides. of the bulb.
• the
Brightness
25 60-watt incandescent lightbulbs
ENERGY STAR Logo – Indicates which CFLs and LEDs
• meet
Cost
to run
bulbforfor
ENERGY
STAR the
requirements
efficiency, lifetime
and quality.
a year (estimated).
Total cost: $180
Life – Estimates in years how long the bulb will last.
bulbs
savebulb
you the hassle of frequent bulb
• Long
Lifelifeof
the
changes and help ensure that more efficient bulbs pay
(estimated).
for
themselves over time.
Appearance – Tells you the shade of light.
• Light
Color/appearance
of
Incandescents produce warm white light—between
2700
K
and
3000
K.
Bulbs
that
produce
cooler or more
the bulb (warmer yellow
bluish light will be between 4000 K to 6500 K. Most
buyers
will prefer the
warm white color.
vs. cooler
blue).
Used (watts) – Measures bulb energy use,
• Energy
Energy
used (watts).
not
brightness.
Contains Mercury – CFLs contain extremely low levels
Source: National Resources Defense Council
Plus,
if the
bulb
contains
of mercury,
less than
2.5 mg,
and are completely safe to
use in normal operation. (www.nrdc.org/legislation/files/
mercury,
the
Lighting
lightbulbmercury.pdf) contains more information.
Facts label includes a link
to cleanup and recycling/
disposal information.
Source: ENERGY STAR
Recycling/disposal
Fluorescent bulbs are banned from Dane County landfills
because they contain mercury. Stores that sell fluorescent
bulbs in Dane County are required to collect and recycle them.
For more information and a list of Dane County bulb recycling
locations, see www.countyofdane.com/pwht/recycle/lamps_
bulbs.aspx.
To recycle bulbs outside of Dane County, see
https://focusonenergy.com/learning-center/residential/
recycling/light-bulb-recycling.
4
9
Glossary of terms
Ballast: A device needed to operate fluorescent and highintensity discharge (HID) lights. Electronic ballasts are better
than old-style magnetic ballasts for most purposes.
Bulb life: Number of hours the average bulb will operate.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs): CFLs are small fluorescent
tubes bent into compact shapes. Most CFLs come with an integral
ballast, but two-piece designs have a separate ballast that
lasts through four or five lamps (40,000 to 50,000 hours).
ENERGY STAR: U.S. gov­ernment program that identifies energy-saving products. Get more information at www.energystar.
gov or call 1-888-star-yes (1-888-782-7937).
Lumen: Measures the total light output of a bulb. The higher
the lumen output, the brighter the bulb.
Lumens per watt (LPW): Higher LPW bulbs are more efficient,
much like a car that gets more miles per gallon.
Watt: The amount of power needed to operate a lightbulb.
Watts equal power in, not light out.
T5, T8, T12, etc.: Fluorescent tubes of different diameters.
The “T” stands for tubular; the number is tube diameter in
1/8-inch increments. A T5 has a diameter of 5/8 of an inch
and fits in shallow spaces such as under a kitchen cabinet.
T8s are generally more efficient than the standard T12 tubes.
However, people are still in the habit of selecting bulbs by
wattage. Lightbulbs still show “replacement” watts on their
packaging so you can compare them to equivalent old-style
incandescent bulbs. If you’ve been disappointed by bulbs
being too dim, choose a bulb with more lumens. More lumens
means a brighter bulb.
Make sure the bulb will fit
Bulbs come in different sizes and shapes. Recessed lights
and lamps with shades are examples of places where you may
need to choose bulbs carefully. Also, some bulbs are heavier
than normal and might make some table lamps or floor lamps
top-heavy and easier to tip over.
Make sure light goes where it’s needed
For lamps used for reading or
similar tasks, make sure light
is directed downward. Look for
pear-shaped bulbs that shine in
all directions. These bulbs are
sometimes labeled “omnidirectional.”
Omnidirectional bulbs are not
recommended for recessed can
lights because light is wasted
within the fixture.
Table lamp comparison
In table and floor lamps, you want the light to shine
in all directions, so look for ENERGY STAR-labeled
bulbs that are omnidirectional.
Recessed can comparison
For downlights and recessed cans, install ENERGY
STAR reflector LED bulbs. The light going upward
from omnidirectional bulbs can be wasted inside
the fixture.
Source: National Resources Defense Council
10
3
Confused by the new lightbulb options? This guide can help
you choose bulbs for your home.
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label
To earn ENERGY STAR certification, lightbulbs
have to meet standards for efficiency, color of
light, reliability and
length of warranty. You
can find the ENERGY
STAR label on both
compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and
CFL
LED
light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
Look for lumens
To make sure the bulb is bright enough, check the label for how
many lumens it puts out. Lumens = brightness, but watts = power
used. Lumens per watt for lights is like miles per gallon for cars.
BRIGHTNESS
For brightness, look for lumens, not watts. Lumens indicate light output. Watts indicate
energy consumed. ENERGY STAR-certified bulbs provide the same brightness (lumens)
with less energy (watts). Use this chart to determine how many lumens you need to
match the brightness of your old incandescent bulbs.
Old Incandescent Bulbs
(Watts)
40
60
75
100
150
Source: ENERGY STAR
2
Resources
Advice on lighting plus a product finder for ENERGY STARcertified bulbs: www.energystar.gov/lighting
MGE’s lighting web page: mge.com/home/appliances/lighting
Incentives from Focus On Energy: https://focusonenergy.com/
residential/efficient-products-appliances/lighting-andappliances
Room-by-room guides plus advice on lighting techniques and
equipment: http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/patternbook/
Best practices, design and efficiency for residential lighting:
http://www.ieslightlogic.org/
Preventing light pollution/protecting dark skies:
www.darksky.org (also has links to other lighting information)
Lighting for older adults
Lighting the Way: A Key to Independence by Mariana Gross
Figueiro: www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/lightHealth/AARP/
ENERGY STAR Bulb Brightness
(Minimum Lumens)
450
800
1,100
1,600
2,600
11
Better ways to illuminate your world
This booklet offers a world of easy, innovative ways to save
energy and money while lighting your home. Visit mge.com
or call us at 252-7117 for more information on these and other
energy-saving ideas.
Table of contents
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Look for lumens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Make sure the bulb will fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Make sure light goes where it’s needed . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Make sure the bulb is suitable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What info can I find on the bulb packaging? . . . . . . . . 4
Get your preferred color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Incentives in Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Specialty bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Dimmer switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Recessed lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Three-way bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Lighting controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Controls for lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Frequently asked questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Recycling/disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Glossary of terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
12
1
taking responsibility
listening. learning.
As an individual, your efficient use of energy brings benefits
such as lower bills, improved comfort levels in your home and
a reduced personal impact on the environment.
MGE takes responsibility to provide information and education
to serve our customers and stakeholders. We educate customers
today to help inform their decision making. We educate
tomorrow’s stakeholders so they can help plan our energy future.
Acting together, our individual choices add up—for the benefit
of our community, our environment and our energy future.
That’s the power of working together.
As your community energy company, we are committed to
sharing our experience and energy expertise. You can always
contact us for:
• Answers to your energy questions.
• Energy efficiency information and advice.
• Help in evaluating energy-saving options.
• Assistance in finding energy-efficient products.
CN000019 01/07/2015
If we all replace one incandescent bulb with a compact
fluorescent, we’ll save enough electricity to power 1,800 homes.
Working together we can make a difference.
Contact us for information about:
• Heating/Air-conditioning.
• Insulating/Weatherizing.
• Lighting.
• Windows/Doors.
• Appliances.
• Water heating.
Get more home energy information at:
• mge.com/home.
• Home Energy Line 608-252-7117.
• 800-245-1125.
Questions about billing? Call:
• 608-252-7222.
• 800-245-1125.
printed on recycled paper
your community energy company
C M Y K
lighting
bright new ideas