Article Provided by Nick Frisella, Metro Lighting
According to ENERGY STAR the average U.S. household has more than 40 sockets for light bulbs. LED bulbs use 80-90% less energy than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs also create 80-90% less heat than incandescent which means they are safer to operate and can lower your cooling bill in the summer months. Purchasing energy efficient bulbs may still be scary for some people, so here are a few things to look for when purchasing energy efficient LED bulbs.
Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light and is very important when selecting LED. Color temperature is measured using the Kelvin (K) scale. Incandescent lighting has a color temperature of 2700K. It is important to take into account the color temperature of the light source.
Lumens are a stable measurement of light output that will not vary as LED light bulbs continue to get brighter and more energy efficient. LEDs are designed to use less energy. This makes wattage an unreliable way to gauge a light source’s brightness. That takes lumens! An LED’s efficacy is measured by lumens per watt (lm/W).
Remember: Lumens = Brightness whereas Watts = Energy.
ENERGY STAR certification means the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Look for LED bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR label! That means they deliver exceptional features, while using less energy and have been third party tested. Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protects the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information please visit online at www.metrolightingcenters.com or Energy Star at www.energystar.org.