Lumens and the Lighting Facts Label

When you're shopping for light bulbs, compare lumens to be sure you're getting the amount of light, or level of brightness, you want. The Lighting Facts Label will help. This label makes it easy to compare bulb brightness, color, life, and estimated operating cost for the year.

Buy Lumens, Not Watts

In the past, we bought light bulbs based on how much energy, or watts, they use. But now it makes more sense to buy lights based on how much light they provide.

When you're shopping for light bulbs, think about the brightness you want by comparing lumens instead of watts. A lumen is a measure of the amount of brightness of a lightbulb -- the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the lightbulb.

What's a Lumen?

Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a bulb. More lumens means it's a brighter light; fewer lumens means it's a dimmer light.

Lumens are to light what

• Pounds are to bananas
• Gallons are to milk

Lumens let you buy the amount of light you want. So when buying light bulbs, think lumens, not watts.

The brightness, or lumen levels, of the lights in your home may vary widely, so here's a rule of thumb:

• To replace a 100 watt (W) incandescent bulb, look for a bulb that gives you about 1600 lumens. If you want something dimmer, go for fewer lumens; if you prefer brighter light, look for more lumens.
• Replace a 75W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 1100 lumens
• Replace a 60W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 800 lumens
• Replace a 40W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 450 lumens.

What is a lighting facts label?

To help consumers understand light bulb efficiency, the Energy Independence and Security Act legislation directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to change its current labeling requirements for all medium based general service LED bulbs. The Lighting Facts label helps consumers base their purchase decision on the brightness (lumens) of the bulb and cost of operation, instead of wattage. The label is an industry tool to help buyers evaluate product performance against manufacturer claims.