Do you remember the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007? Provisions began taking effect the first part of this year, with many popular incandescent reflector lamps being outlawed.
- If you used to buy 100 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 1600 lumens
- If you used to buy 75 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 1100 lumens
- If you used to buy 60 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 800 lumens
- If you used to buy 40 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 450 lumens
Watts are a better predictor of how hot a light bulb will be than how bright it is. Lumens tell you how much light a bulb will provide.
To make it easier to compare light bulbs, the Federal Trade Commission has designed a new label which you have probably already seen. It was required to be on all packages starting this year.
It important to look for the ENERGY STAR on light bulb packaging, which means that they meet strict criteria set by EPA for both energy efficiency and quality. Other bulbs may be cheaper, but the tests that ENERGY STAR requires are important, and necessary for consumers to get the performance they expect.
One ENERGY STAR LED Bulb worth mentioning is the Phillips EnduraLED 12.5W. This lamp was the first LED replacement for a 60W incandescent bulb. The lamp lasts 25 times longer and uses 80% less energy than the 60W incandescent it was designed to replace.
This lamp exceeds the ENERGY STAR minimum required light output of 800 lumen, a color temperature of 2700K, Color Rendering of 80, and a minimum 3 year warranty. (806 lumens, 2700K, a CRI of 80 and a 6 year warranty)
Using a dimmer switch (bonus) can further reduce energy usage.
The long life properties eliminates the hassle of repeat relamping in hard to reach areas. It’s initial cost may be a shock at first if you have not jumped on the LED bandwagon yet and still use incandescents or CFLs
I recently found it on Amazon for $24.00