Buying Guide

While some people prefer the color of incandescent lights, LEDs generally outperform incandescent
bulbs and even CFLs. When comparing the efficiency of LED bulbs to others, look at the lumens per
watt measurement. Lumens measure light intensity while watts measure electrical usage. The higher
the ratio, similar to miles per gallon (MPG) on a car, the more light any given bulb emits for the same
amount of electricity. This creates a significant difference between LEDs and other bulbs.
Comparing LEDs, CFLs, and Incandescent Lights
The table below shows the wattage, lumens to watts ratio, and expected life-span (assuming the
bulb is used for eight hours every day) for three bulbs. Each bulb is capable of putting out roughly
1700 lumens. This is the brightness of a 100 watt incandescent bulb, or an ordinary living room
lamp. The three bulbs are an incandescent, a CFL, and an LED. Notes on each technology type are
also included.
Feature
Incandescent
CFL
LED
Wattage
100
25
11
Lumens Per
Watt
12
62
89
Life
Expectancy
(years)
0.3
3.5
25
Other
Warm color, but
produces a lot of
heat
Inexpensive, but
contains mercury
Slightly more expensive
but long lasting; comes
in multiple colors
Research shows that many bulbs are used fewer than eight hours a day; an LED that is used less
often could last well over 20 years.
Selecting LED Bulbs
Color
The older technology bulbs generally make light in only one color; additional colors are created by
tinting the shell of the bulb. LEDs are different in that they do not need tints and filters. Depending on
the design, an LED can create light in many different colors. Some can even produce more than one
color. While some LED bulbs do produce a slightly bluish white light, others produce a much
warmer, soft white tone. For indoor use, warm white is the preferred choice as cooler tones can look
unflattering. Red, green, and blue LED bulbs are also available to meet your lighting needs.