What is the Energy Saving Bulb Equivalence to Incandescent Bulbs?

Incandescent bulbs

• Incandescent bulbs are rated in watts, so you know that you need a 40W or 60W, or maybe even a 100W bulb for your application.
  
  

Light Output

• However, the watts refers to the power consumed by the bulb; mostly wasted in heat, and not to the light it gives off. Light intensity is measured in candelas and its flux, or the light power that we would see from the bulb, is measured in lumens.
  
  

Matching Up Lights

• Guidance from the EPA offers that the minimum light output equivalency for a typical 60W incandescent bulb would be 800 lumens.
  
  

Finding A Light

• When searching for equivalent bulbs at the store, look on packaging for the light output you need in lumens. You should be able to find several bulbs that meet your needs. Then, compare their power (wattage) labeling to find the one that will be most energy saving.