Back in the day when incandescent lighting was the norm, replacing burnt-out light bulbs was a breeze. Basically, all a person had to do was take a quick look at the wattage of an old bulb and replace it with a new bulb of the same wattage. Today, with the ever-growing incorporation of energy-efficient LED lighting, the task of replacing incandescent and other traditional light bulbs with LEDs is not as simple as matching up the wattages.
What is a Watt?
Wattage has long been the benchmark for gauging the energy consumption of light bulbs. Watts measure energy output. When you used traditional incandescent light bulbs, the watt was a direct indicator of how bright your bulb would shine. However, this measurement of power only tells part of the story, especially for an LED light bulb.
What is a Lumen?
As we steer away from traditional lighting metrics, lumens emerge as the new luminary in quantifying light output. Lumens measure brightness or the total amount of visible light emitted by a source, providing a more accurate representation of brightness than watts. For LED bulbs, lumens are the key to understanding how bright your light will be.
Lumens are especially relevant when it comes to LED light bulbs because they consume far less power to produce the same amount of brightness as their incandescent counterparts. This means that when you’re comparing LED bulbs, it’s the lumens — not the watts — that you’ll want to pay attention to.
Understanding LED Watt Equivalence
LED watt equivalence refers to the amount of light you can expect from an LED as compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. Historically, we’ve gauged the brightness of a bulb by its wattage — a measure of power consumption. With the advent of LED technology, this measure is no longer applicable because LEDs use much less power to emit the same level of brightness.
Lumens have taken center stage as the go-to metric for measuring light output. When looking for an LED replacement for an incandescent bulb, you’ll need to consider how many lumens the incandescent bulb produces and find an LED with a comparable lumen output. This is LED watt equivalence in action.
It’s essential to clear up a common misconception here: watts do not measure brightness. In the context of LED lighting, watts only indicate energy usage. For example, a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb can be replaced by an LED bulb using only about 10 watts, yet both can emit roughly the same number of lumens.
Match Brightness, Not Wattage
Before purchasing LEDs to replace incandescent, compact fluorescent (CFL), or other traditional lighting options, buyers should consider the desired brightness for the light(s) being replaced. For example, a 60-watt incandescent light bulb gives approximately 800 lumens; therefore, to replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb with an LED bulb of the same brightness, one should purchase an LED bulb that also gives 800 lumens. A 60-watt incandescent light bulb can be replaced with a 10-watt LED.
Replace Incandescent and CFL Bulbs with LEDs
- A. 40-watt incandescent and 9-13 watt CFL bulbs give 450 lumens and can be replaced with 4-5 watt LEDs
- B. 60-watt incandescent and 13-18 watt CFL bulbs give 750 to 900 lumens and can be replaced with 6-8 watt LEDs
- C. 75-100 watt incandescent and 18-22 watt CFL bulbs give 1100 to 1300 lumens and can be replaced with 9-13 watt LEDs
- D. 100-watt incandescent and 23-30 watt CFL bulbs give 1600 to 1800 lumens and can be replaced with 16-20 watt LEDs
- E. 150-watt incandescent and 50-55 watt CFL bulbs give 2600 to 2800 lumens and can be replaced with 25-28 watt LEDs.
How to Calculate LED Watt Equivalent Needs
Calculating the LED watt equivalent you need involves understanding the lumens necessary for your specific application. Here’s a straightforward guide to ensure you select LED bulbs that offer the right amount of light:
- Assess Your Current Lighting: Determine the wattage of your current incandescent bulbs and note the brightness level they provide.
- Use a Lumen Comparison Chart: Reference a chart that lists the lumens typically provided by incandescent bulbs and find the corresponding LED lumens. For example, if your incandescent bulb is 60 watts, it emits about 800 lumens. An LED with the same lumen output will only use about 8 to 12 watts.
- Consider the Area: Larger areas require bulbs with a higher lumen count to provide sufficient light. Conversely, smaller or confined spaces may need fewer lumens to prevent excessive brightness.
- Factor In Desired Brightness: If you want brighter lighting than you had before, look for an LED with more lumens. If you prefer a dimmer ambiance, choose fewer lumens.
- Account for Specialized Environments: In industrial settings or retail spaces, lighting needs can vary significantly. High-intensity LEDs with higher lumen output may be required in a factory, whereas a retail environment might call for LEDs that render colors more accurately.
When selecting your LED lighting, it’s about optimizing your lighting for energy efficiency, comfort, and productivity. With Superior Lighting’s diverse range of LED bulb options, you can easily find bulbs that will suit any environment, ensuring that you make the most out of your lighting upgrade.
Get Your LED Lights from Superior Lighting Today
Superior Lighting is your ally in adopting efficient LED lighting. We offer high-quality, long-lasting LED solutions that deliver brightness and savings.Choosing Superior Lighting means more than just buying bulbs; it’s upgrading your lighting experience. For expert advice and a selection that meets all your lighting needs, reach out to us. Contact our team today for standout LED solutions.
