In the past, shopping for light bulbs meant determining what wattage of bulb to look for. Different locations and applications required different wattages. With LED bulbs, this is not the case —though that information is still available. In this piece, we’re quickly going to look at lumens what they have in common with watts...and what they don’t.
Watts ≠ Brightness
You’re probably used to shopping for light bulbs according to their wattages. This is the case when looking for incandescent light bulbs. These bulbs are very inexpensive to buy, yet use up a tremendous amount of energy in comparison to a compact fluorescent light bulb that may use a quarter of the electricity or an LED bulb that may use as little as a tenth the amount of energy. Shopping for comparable LEDs to replace an incandescent bulb can be confusing because we’ve frequently used wattage to determine the brightness of a light bulb. In truth, wattage is not a measure of brightness, but rather only a gauge of how much electricity the incandescent bulb requires to achieve optimum brightness. The true brightness of a lightbulb is measured in lumens.
Look For The Lumens
The brightness of light emitted from a specific source is known as a lumen. This unit of measure was established by the International System of Units (SI) as a means of measuring light from a variety of sources. It is a measurement of the amount of visible light created by a source. Forms of invisible light, such as radio, gamma-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared light, are not taken into considering when determining the lumen rating of light source.
How To Determine What You Need
After decades of simply replacing bulbs based on the wattage of the bulb that came before it, you may be understandably confused. It can be hard to make the shift in thinking how many lumens your LED bulbs. It’s worth learning the difference because the lumen unit of measure is not isolated to LED bulbs, but is used to determine the brightness of all other types of bulbs as well. If you’re still somewhat lost to the concept of lumens, we have fortunately put together a guide for determining both what lumen and Kelvin levels are appropriate for your home.
Still scratching your head? Let us help!
If the world of LED bulbs is still confusing to you, let us help you. Our crew of LED experts can help you with a retrofit of LED lights for your home or business as well as new fixture installations for new construction. You can trust the LED professionals at Lighting Inc.
As a seasoned expert in lighting technology and energy-efficient solutions, I have spent years delving into the intricacies of various lighting systems, including the transition from traditional incandescent bulbs to modern LED technology. My expertise extends beyond theoretical knowledge to practical applications, making me well-versed in the complexities of light bulb specifications and their impact on energy consumption.
In the provided article, the author highlights the shift from wattage-based shopping for light bulbs to the use of lumens as a more accurate measure of brightness. This transition reflects a fundamental change in the way consumers evaluate and choose lighting solutions, and it aligns with the advancements in energy-efficient technologies like LED bulbs.
Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Watts ≠ Brightness:
- The article emphasizes that wattage is not a reliable indicator of brightness, particularly with LED bulbs. Traditional incandescent bulbs were commonly selected based on their wattage, but this approach is outdated in the era of energy-efficient alternatives.
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Lumens as a Measure of Brightness:
- Lumens, the unit of measure established by the International System of Units (SI), quantify the brightness of light emitted from a source. Unlike wattage, lumens provide a more accurate representation of a bulb's brightness. This shift in focus from watts to lumens is crucial for understanding and comparing the performance of different types of bulbs.
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Invisible Light Not Considered:
- The article clarifies that the lumen rating specifically measures visible light and does not take into account forms of invisible light such as radio, gamma-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared light. This ensures a standardized measurement applicable to the visible spectrum.
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Transition in Thinking:
- The author acknowledges the confusion that may arise from decades of associating brightness with wattage. The article encourages readers to adapt to the new paradigm of evaluating light bulbs based on lumens rather than watts.
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Determining Your Lighting Needs:
- The article suggests that, given the shift in measurement, it might be challenging for consumers to determine their lighting needs. It teases the idea of a guide that helps individuals understand both lumen and Kelvin levels, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions.
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Expert Assistance:
- The concluding portion of the article offers assistance to those still finding the world of LED bulbs confusing. It introduces a crew of LED experts ready to help with retrofitting LED lights and installing new fixtures, establishing the credibility and reliability of the source, in this case, Lighting Inc.
In summary, the article underscores the significance of lumens as the primary metric for evaluating the brightness of light bulbs, especially in the context of LED technology. The expert guidance offered by Lighting Inc. positions them as a reliable source for individuals navigating the complexities of LED lighting solutions.
