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Watt's Up With Light Bulbs These Days?

You have probably heard lots of chatter surrounding the topic of light bullbs and the government's planned changes to make the ones we use more energy efficient. There have also been rumors about the possible banning of incandescent bulbs and certain bulbs that contain hazardous toxins like mercury. And then, there is the high cost of the new-fangled bulbs.

 

If all this talk about light bulbs has you a little confused and concerned, you are not alone. Fortunately, there is help available from a group called LUMEN (Lighting Understanding for a More Efficient Nation). LUMEN was formed to educate consumers about energy-efficient lighting choices and the benefits of today’s energy-efficient lighting products. They have an excellent website at lumennow.org that you may want to check out.

One of the big changes that will be happening is that the focus will be on a bulb's lumens versus watts. Lumens relate to the amount of light that is produced, whereas watts refers to the amount of energy that the bulb uses. The following chart shows the relationship between lumens and watts:

 

You will have an easier time making your bulb purchasing decisions with the new labeling requirements. The labels will provide information on:

• Brightness (in lumens)
• Estimated yearly energy cost
• Life-expectancy of the bulb
• Light appearance 
• Energy used

Another way to save energy while lighting your home is through proper dimming. Also, remember to turnoff lights in rooms where they are not needed. A lighting control system is a great way to achieve both those objectives. Lighting control is an elegant solution for those who wish to save energy at home while also benefiting from the added convenience, safety, security, and peace of mind. Homeowners in Boston, Main Line Philidelphia, and Vermont have enjoyed the benefits of Lutron lighting control systems for years.