How does saving up to 75% on your lighting energy consumption sound? Replacing your old, inefficient light bulbs with new, energy-saving LED bulbs is a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. LEDs are now available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit any need.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to replace your existing bulbs with equivalent LEDs.
Matching Wattage to LED Brightness
First things first, wattage and lumens are not the same. A lumen is the unit of measurement for brightness, while a watt is a unit of power. So, how do you know how bright an LED bulb will be if you only know the wattage of your old bulb?
Here’s a quick reference guide:
- 40 watt incandescent = 450 lumens (equivalent LED wattage = 6-9 watts)
- 60 watt incandescent = 800 lumens (equivalent LED wattage = 9-13 watts)
- 75 watt incandescent = 1100 lumens (equivalent LED wattage = 13-18 watts)
- 100 watt incandescent = 1600 lumens (equivalent LED wattage = 18-25 watts)
As you can see, an LED bulb that uses 9 watts of power can produce the same amount of light as a 40-watt incandescent. The other big advantage of LEDs is that they don’t produce heat like incandescent bulbs, so they’re much cooler to handle.
To choose the right LED bulb, start by finding the wattage of your old bulb. Once you know the wattage, refer to the chart above to find the equivalent LED brightness in lumens.
What About CFL Bulbs?
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are also more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, but they have a couple of drawbacks. First, CFLs contain mercury, which is a toxic heavy metal. If a CFL bulb breaks, it can release mercury into your home.
Second, CFLs take a few minutes to reach full brightness, so they’re not a good choice for use in recessed lighting or other applications where you need an instant burst of light. LEDs don’t contain mercury, and they reach full brightness almost instantly. For these reasons, LEDs are a better choice than CFLs, both from an environmental and practical standpoint.
To find the equivalent LED light to replace CFL bulbs, look for an LED that produces the same number of lumens as your CFL bulb.
Now that you know how bright you need your new LED bulb to be, it’s time to choose the right color temperature.
Color Temperature
The color temperature of a lightbulb is measured in Kelvins (K). Lower Kelvin numbers mean warmer, traditional tones of light (think yellow/orange), while higher Kelvin numbers produce cooler tones of light (think blue/white). For example, most household bulbs have a color temperature between 2700K-3000K.
Use the following as a general guide to choosing the right color temperature for your needs:
2700K-3000K: Warm, traditional tones of light. Good for living rooms, bedrooms, and other areas where you want a cozy feel.
4000K-4500K: Cooler tones of light. Good for kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas where you need bright, white light.
5000K and up: Very cool tones of light. Good for task lighting, reading, and other applications where you need very bright light.
Consider Dimmability
If you want to be able to dim your LED lights, make sure to buy bulbs that are compatible with your dimmer switch. Not all LED bulbs can be dimmed, so it’s important to check before making your purchase.
You’ll also need to make sure that your dimmer switch is compatible with LEDs. Some older dimmer switches are not, and they can cause your LED bulbs to flicker or buzz. If you’re not sure whether your dimmer switch is compatible, consult an electrician.
Pick the Perfect Shape
LED Bulbs come in a variety of shapes and sizes just like traditional light bulbs! The most common shape is A19, which looks like a classic incandescent bulb. If you’re not sure what shape or size you need, take a look at the old bulb to see what will fit in its place.
Consider the base type when choosing your new LED bulb. The most common base types are E26 (standard base) and GU24 (twist-and-lock base). Again, you’ll just need to match the base type of your old bulb.
Install Your New LED Bulb
Now that you’ve chosen the perfect LED replacement for your old light bulb, it’s time to install it! First, make sure to turn off the power to the fixture at your circuit breaker box. Once the power is off, remove the old light bulb and screw in your new LED Bulb. That’s it!
You’ve successfully replaced an old lightbulb with an equivalent LED!
Other Benefits of LED Lighting
Still not convinced? In addition to being more energy-efficient than traditional light bulbs, LED lighting offers a number of other benefits.
LEDs last much longer than other types of bulbs, up to 50 times, so you won’t need to replace them as often. In fact, an LED bulb lasts up to 50,000 hours!
LED bulbs are also much more durable than other types of bulbs. They can withstand being turned on and off frequently, so they’re a great choice for use in areas like kitchens and bathrooms where lights are often turned on and off.
LEDs also don’t contain any toxic chemicals, so they’re a more environmentally-friendly choice than CFLs.
Finally, LEDs produce very little heat, so they’re much cooler than other types of bulbs. This makes them safer to use around children and pets.
Top Brands for LED Light Fixtures & Bulbs
Need 40w or 60w light bulbs? Shop these top lighting manufacturers online today:
Shop Equivalent LEDs at Affordable Prices
Replacing your old light bulbs with equivalent LEDs is a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint—not to mention choosing the perfect LEDs can be pretty fun too! Be sure to use this guide next time you’re in need of an upgrade so that you can pick out exactly the right LEDs for your needs.
Then mosey on over to our shop page to find a great selection of high-quality LEDs at affordable prices.
Need help Finding the Right LED Solution?
If you need help choosing suitable bulbs for your commercial or residential space, contact us today for a quote: (888) 325-4448. You can also email us at [email protected] or Shop Online at Lightingandsupplies.com.
We would love to offer assistance and answer any questions regarding all your lighting needs!