Voltage, resistance and current can be used to find the wattage of a light bulb, but only two of these three variable are actually needed. 1 (888) 455-2800 Fax 1.508.363.2900. www.bulbs.com 60 watts multiplied by one hour is 60 watt-hours of energy. and at this point use the refine option on the left to select the proper base, voltage and wattage of the bulb. 2700K – 3000K are warm color (yellowish) where as the 5000K and higher  are more of a cool white color with some blue output in the 6500K range. Use the chart above to determine exactly how many lumens are in a watt and vice versa. The wattage is often printed directly on the bulb as a number followed by a W. If you don't see it there, check the packaging the bulb was sold in. In order to get the maximum life out of your light fixture, you should be sure that the wattage, or power being sent to the bulb is equivalent to that of your old light bulb.  - Bulb type: Bulbs come in few key types Incandescent, Halogen, Fluorescent, LED, High Intensity Discharge and Xenon (in each of the above types you may have subtypes as well). Calculate the Total Electricity Cost for Lights. We now rate brightness in lumens, the more lumens, the brighter the bulb. Electrical Power Consumption. If wattage is not listed on the stringer or bulb, wattage meters are available for around $10 to calculate its electric draw. The three main and most important characteristics you must match with the replacement bulbs are the lamps voltage, wattage and base. Color Temperature: Illumination for different ambient effects (ex. Step 1 – Determine Your Type of Fluorescent Fixture In order to calculate your total fixture wattage, you need to know what the wattage is of the existing system you have in place. Our customer service hours are M – F 9am to 5:30pm EST. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LEDs have a lower wattage than incandescent bulbs but emit the same light output. In any commercial building, retail space, school, or residence, replacing outdated lighting fixtures, and installing LED’s can considerably reduce the amount of energy that a building consumes annually. A 60-watt incandescent bulb may produce 800 lumens of light, while an LED equivalent would produce the same brightness with only 15 watts. By continuing, you agree to our Terms & A standard 40W bulb is equal to 400+ lumens, which represents the brightness of a bulb. How to Estimate How Much a Light Bulb Costs. If your equipment is using a high intensity discharge or Xenon bulb you must use the exact same bulb and you are not able to replace it with a bulb that has different specifications unless you consult with the equipment manufacturer or one of our lighting specialists. Due to COVID-19 and 2020 Holiday Season the transit time with all carriers is longer than usual, and since our warehouses across US are not operating at full capacity, we recommend you contact us directly if you need Next Day, 2nd Day or 3 Day air shipping. Let’s assume your kWh rate is 12 cents and you have a 60-watt incandescent bulb. 60 watts multiplied by one hour is 60 watt-hours of energy. - Wattage: Wattage is the amount of energy is used by a lamp or light bulb. To find the size of you base you need to measure the width of your base in mm, the number you get is the size of your base. Determine the watts in a power source. 3,560 Watts + 12,234 Watts = 15,884 Total System Watts. In order to calculate your total fixture wattage, you need to know what the wattage is of the existing system you have in place. To understand how bright a light bulb will shine, a buyer should look at the lumens. Watch out for the sockets of the lamps. Use this chart below to help! Shop By Brand. The easiest way to figure out what bulb you need is by using an incandescent/LED conversion cart. 50 watt light equals less than 1/2 amp current flow at 120 volts. To determine the wattage, use a simple multiplication formula. Wattage equivalents, usually on the front of … There are numerous variables, but typically we see T … In other words, it produces about 2 watts of light and 98 watts of heat. Step 1. LED lighting, however, has turned things on their head. Most bulbs list their lifespan on the label in years, and some in hours. Since the introduction of the CFL and LED into the market we have more options when it comes to bulbs type. For every 100 watts you put in, you get about 3.5 watts of light and 96.5 watts of heat. The reason the wattage calculation is important, is because most incandescent lighting fixtures have a maximum wattage listed. The lower the light bulb wattage, the lower the electric bill. There are numerous variables, but typically we see T-12 fluorescent lighting in most places. For LED or fluorescents you need to know the power factor. In comparison, a CFL light bulb that also produces 800 lumens only uses 15 watts to power it. To find the total wattage of a fixture, add the wattage of each light bulb together. They can be the … What is wattage? This number is the POWER used by the bulb. lumens = brightness watts = energy. Watch out for the sockets of the lamps. Conditions. Lumens / Incandescent light bulb (watts): 375 lm / 25 W 600 lm / 40 W 900 lm / 60 W 1125 lm / 75 W. Bulb Life. Due to COVID-19 and 2020 Holiday Season the transit time with all carriers is longer than usual, and since our warehouses across US are not operating at full capacity, we recommend you contact us directly if you need Next Day, 2nd Day or 3 Day air shipping. Use the chart above to determine exactly how many lumens are in a watt and vice versa. Connect the negative probe of the ammeter to the negative terminal of … The biggest question we are asked is, “how do I know what is the size or shape of my bulb?” This question has a very simple answer. Standard 100-watt bulbs produce about 1600 lumens. With newer light bulbs designed to use less energy, wattage is no longer a reliable way to gauge a light bulb's brightness. Purchase Order We now rate brightness in lumens, the more lumens, the brighter the bulb. Privacy Policy Actual light output may vary by product.  - Bulb Shape: Once we were able to find the correct bulb with the right voltage, wattage and base you are almost good to go, this is where the bulb shape comes into play. The wattage sticker can be found easily when you remove the cover. Dividing that number by 120 volts results in the amount of current, or amps, needed for the lights. Wattage is typically provided per bulb or string and is listed on the bulb or near the UL tags on a string. The lower the lumen, the dimmer the bulb! You can put up to 40 lights (based on 50 watt light) on a 20 amp breaker. Lumens / Incandescent light bulb (watts): This is becoming very important in the LED category as there is almost no direct connection between the bulb wattage and the light output.  In the past few years LED’s improved tremendously in price and light output.  You may find a 7w LED bulbs with 500 lumens and 6w LED bulbs with a 500 lumens. On our website you will need to look for the bulb you need little different than voltage, wattage and base as it is more visual concept. Rewards & Referral Program, Clearance To save the most energy, choose the bulb with the lowest wattage suitable for its … For your security, the system will automatically sign you out after 14 days. Tel. When you are replacing old incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs with a more energy efficient LED bulb, there are a few things you should consider: The higher the lumen, the brighter the bulb! Set the ammeter to measure current in amps. Voltage measures the force or pressure of the electricity. The ampere (or amps) is the amount of electricity used. CFL and LED come with a different warranty which is a time period of 1 year, 2 year or 3 year depending on the manufacturer. Lumens measure brightness. Step 3 Remove the cover from a ceiling light and the maximum wattage sticker should be located near the sockets and sometimes on the sockets. Terms & Conditions For assistance, please contact us at 888-505-2111 or email at support@bulbamerica.com. So, to calculate watts, the following formula is used. More lumens equal brighter light; fewer lumens equal dimmer light. Please provide a proper Email Address format. The wattage sticker can be found easily when you remove the cover. In this light bulb wattage conversion blog, we will discuss how to measure the wattage equivalence of your old light bulbs to the more energy efficient LED light fixtures. All Rights Reserved. Lumens vs Watts: Output and wattages based on most common products available for each medium screw-based light bulb. We use light bulbs everyday in our life and usually take them for granted, until we need to replace one in our home, car, appliance or office. That's it! In the incandescent and halogen world we were used to selecting the bulbs by the wattage, this is not the case in the LED world. The power P in watts (W) is equal to the voltage V in volts (V) times the current I in amps (A): The power P in watts (W) is equal to the squared voltage V in volts (V) divided by the resistance R in ohms (Ω): You want to calculate your 60-watt light bulb energy use and cost per hour. You measure the diameter of the bulb in inches and multiple it by 8, this formula is correct for most of the bulb unless they have a decorative shape. Simply take your current incandescent watts and select the corresponding LED bulb equivalent on the lumens brightness scale. Once you've found those two numbers, simply divide the number of lumens by the number of watts. LED’s have a life rating (25,000 to 30,000 hours) but most manufacturers give a specific time period as a warranty. When replacing traditional incandescent or halogen light bulbs with a more energy efficient LED lighting system, it is important to understand the appropriate wattage equivalence for your light fixtures. This number is the POWER used by the bulb. A 40 watt incandescent filament bulb produces roughly 460 lumens. Find Wattage Rating of Light Bulbs All light bulbs, whether they are traditional incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs (CFUs) or LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs will have a wattage rating printed somewhere on the glass or on the metal collar of the bulb. We can calculate the power released in the bulb, and of the electrical system as a whole, by multiplying the voltage by the current. Christmas The voltage V in volts (V) is equal to the square root of the power P in watts (W) times the resistance R in ohms (Ω): Watts calculation. 243 Stafford St. Worcester, MA 01603. Actual light output may vary by product. The result is the power in watts. You can put up to 30 lights (based on 50 watt light) on a 15 amp breaker. In order to calculate your total fixture wattage, you need to know what the wattage is of the existing system you have in place. Set the ammeter to measure current in amps. About Us Color temperatures range from 1500K to 9000K. Lumens indicate the brightness, while watts indicate energy used to power the light bulb. .06 kWh multiplied by .12 cents is .0072 cents. Base Shape/Size: Bulb Shape/Size: How the bulb screws into the fixture. A lumen measures the amount of light that comes from a bulb, also known as light bulb brightness. Does voltage matter for light bulbs?Choosing the correct voltage is crucial for the bulb operation. warmer toned or cooler toned). There is a voltage ratio you are able to go up or down from the voltage you need but it is always recommended to use the correct voltage or higher within the allowed ratio. For example 120V and 130V bulbs are interchangeable and the pros in using a 130 Volt bulb are: cooler burning bulb, less energy use, longer life and better handling of voltage surges. LED light … Lumens vs Watts: Output and wattages based on most common products available for each medium screw-based light bulb. If you liked this blog and would like to stay up to date on all our current blogs, follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook! Okay, how about you have an office with (20) 2' x 4' 4 bulb T-12's, a work area with (78) 8' - 2 Bulb T-12's: 20 fixtures x 178 Watts = 3,560 Total System Watts. 78 fixtures x 158 Watts = 12,234 Total System Watts. © Copyright 2009-2021 HomElectrical Electric Supply. Actual light output may vary by product. Simply take your current incandescent watts and select the corresponding LED bulb equivalent on the lumens brightness scale. FAQ - Frequently Ask Questions  - Color Temperature:  Color temperatures become a factor with the introduction of CFL and LED into the market. Bulb Finder To convert a light bulb’s brightness by watts, look at this handy chart. Lumen to Watt Conversion Voltage, resistance and current can be used to find the wattage of a light bulb, but only two of these three variable are actually needed. Even if you are aware of that you use T-12's, … White light bulbs have a color cast. The average A19 incandescent light bulb uses 60 watts of electricity, which is a good starting point if the bulb is inaccessible. You want to calculate your 60-watt light bulb energy use and cost per hour. Although it has become a standard for the amount of light to expect from a bulb, wattage is actually a unit of measure for energy use. A light bulb’s wattage is no longer the way we determine a bulb’s brightness. You should never use a higher wattage bulb than your application requires because it will damage your equipment or fixture. Amps are the amount that flows through the pipe. Almost all bulbs have their power wattage reported on them, for example the bulbs can be 40, 60, 100, etc Watts. Some of the most energy to light efficient LED bulbs are now reaching over 120 lumens in Energy Star tests. Wattage to Brightness Comparison. There are numerous variables, but typically we see T-12 fluorescent lighting in most places. All prices USD. Bulbs come in many varieties of shapes and in many cases it is more of personal taste and look you would prefer to match than the fixture needs or requires. Bulbs.com. How to Calculate Amps, Volts, and Watts Identifying the amps, volts, and watts for any piece of equipment is critical to confirming compatibility with your building's utilities. Ignore phrases like "100-watt equivalent," which are used to compare brightness. If you will use a lower wattage bulb in your fixture you will have less light than before, choosing a lower wattage bulb is fine as long you understand that you are compromising on light output (this statement is correct only for incandescent and halogen bulbs). more energy-efficient, but they can also save you thousands of dollars in overall maintenance and operating costs. You will need to know the amps and the volts in the power source. Organization. We will explain what each characteristic means and its importance in the light bulb, or use the Bulb Finder below to find your replacement bulb. In any commercial building, retail space, school, or residence, replacing outdated lighting fixtures, and installing LED’s can considerably reduce the amount of energy that a building consumes annually. Please keep in mind that some manufacturers prorate there warranty. Gone are the days when the wattage on a light bulb package tells you how bright it is. Divide by 1,000 to get.06 kWh. Almost all bulbs have their power wattage reported on them, for example the bulbs can be 40, 60, 100, etc Watts. Light Bulb VoltageThe bulbs are divided by voltage in 2 main categories: - Line Voltage: 120 Volt- Low Voltage: 12 Volt, While the above are the main light bulbs voltage for home and garden application there are bulbs used for special application that operate at different voltage as 6v, 24v, 36v etc. and many of them look the same. This is why we need to make sure to start with understanding what is the operating voltage of the bulb we need to replace.Â. then choose the shape (A, PAR, MR, etc.) When shopping for an LED bulb, look for the number of lumens directly across from 'Brightness' on the Lighting Facts label. Calculate the Energy Used for Lighting. How to Tell the Max Watt of a Light Fixture. Watts: The amount of energy a light bulb uses. How to Determine a Light Bulb's Efficiency The wattage and the lumens, or "initial lumens," are the two values you need to determine a light bulb's efficiency, should be marked on the packaging. What type of bulb you will use in your application is a matter of a personal preference and cost as LED’s are more expensive. All Rights Reserved. You should see a silver sticker that indicates the maximum wattage of light bulb the lamp can support. Note that this only holds for incandescent or halogen bulbs. Watts is a measurement of the amount of energy used. In the previous example given the lower wattage bulb is better than the higher wattage as it has a better lumens efficacy (using less wattage to produce more light output).Â. Divide by 1,000 to get .06 kWh. Pay close attention to lumens, since this number indicates the brightness, or light output, of the bulb. 1 (888) 455-2800 Fax 1.508.363.2900. www.bulbs.com Let’s assume your kWh rate is 12 cents and you have a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Remove the ceiling lights cover More often than not, you will come to know of the maximum wattage of your light fixture when you remove the cover of your ceiling lights. In comparison, a CFL light bulb that also produces 800 lumens only uses 15 watts to power it.  - Bulb Life: When it comes to incandescent and halogen bulbs there are a misunderstanding of the term “bulb life”. Video of … Because of the creation of energy-efficient light bulbs, buyers should now look at the lumens produced instead of the watts to determine the brightness … If you will use a lower wattage bulb in your fixture you will have less light than before, choosing a lower wattage bulb is fine as long you understand that you are compromising on light output (this statement is correct only for incandescent and halogen bulbs). For example, a standard 60-watt light bulb produces around 800 lumens of light. If you have information for two of those electrical ratings, you can ensure the unit's … Our Clients If you liked this blog and would like to stay up to date on all our current blogs, follow us on, Storage & The secondary characteristics of your bulb are bulb shape, type, lumens, color temperature and life. Say you normally use a 60-watt incandescent bulb, for example. Not only are LED light bulbs more energy-efficient, but they can also save you thousands of dollars in overall maintenance and operating costs. Lumens are for light Connect the negative probe of the ammeter to the negative terminal of … Step 4 A 5 to 25 watt LED lightbulb can give off the same brightness as a 40 to 100 watt lightbulb. Support@bulbamerica.com, Returns Policy To save the most energy, choose the bulb with the lowest wattage suitable for its usage. For Example, yourname@domain.com. Typically, the higher the wattage, the higher the lumens, and the more light output. It has stood the test of time because, for standard bulbs, more energy has always meant more light.  - Lumens: Lumens are the amount of light the bulb emits. Multiply the wattage of each bulb by the number of bulbs on the string to get the total power required. Find the wattage rating of the bulb. Toll Free: 888-505-2111 To figure out "How Many Lights Can Be Installed on One Circuit Breaker," you have to know the following. Bulb Guide (Printout) How Do I Know Which LED Light Bulb I Need? Are you interested in Watts (electrical power consumption) or Lumen (brightness) of the lamp? You want the actual number of watts the bulb uses. We at Bulbamerica believe that there are three main bulbs characteristic that you will need to know first in order to find the correct replacement bulb. Pay close attention to lumens, since this number indicates the brightness, or light output, of the bulb. With the CFL and LED we are able to select different color temperatures which was not available in the incandescent and halogen as much. Copyright © 2021 BulbAmerica. To measure the equivalence, you must figure out the wattage to lumen ratio of your old lightbulb. Contact Us Tel. For example, a 6 light chandelier that uses incandescent bulbs might have a maximum wattage of 60 watts per light, for a total of 360 watts for the fixture. How Do I Know Which LED Light Bulb I Need. According to the Wikipedia online encyclopaedia, a 100 watt bulb is 2.1% efficient. Look on the socket of a lamp. You will need to start with the type of the bulb you are looking for (incandescent, halogen, LED, fluorescent etc.) The watt is a unit of power, measuring the energy the bulb uses each second. Remove the ceiling lights cover More often than not, you will come to know of the maximum wattage of your light fixture when you remove the cover of your ceiling lights. LED wattage is always going to be less than incandescent or halogen bulb wattage for bulbs that are equal in brightness. A standard 60-watt incandescent bulb, for example, produces about 800 lumens of light. Look inside the can of a recessed light fixture to find the label that indicates maximum bulb wattage. - Wattage:   Wattage is the amount of energy is used by a lamp or light bulb. That takes lumens. fixture watts = bulb watts × bulb quantity 243 Stafford St. Worcester, MA 01603. In other words, watt=amp X volt. Bulbs.com. Calculate the Total Wattage of a Light Fixture. The life hours of an incandescent and halogen bulb is not guaranteed as many other factors can cause the bulb to blow, one very common cause is voltage surges. In the diagram above, the light bulb would get brighter as the power, measured in watts, increases. The first step is to find the total wattage of the lights. Select the right color of white for your light bulb. A halogen lamp is a bit better. The amount of power of an electrical object is measured in watts. Measure the current (in amperes)using an ammeter, then multiply by the line voltage. Actual light output may vary by product. Once you have the three main characteristics you are then able to match any of the secondary characteristic. Not only are.  - Base:  Bulbs come in a huge variety of bases and in some categories can be very confusing, for instance, in the plug-in-Fluorescent the bases all look the same and the only difference is a location of notch on the base of the bulb.   If you choose the wrong base the bulb will not fit, you should never force the bulb into the base of your fixture it should fit very easily. Traditional incandescent light bulbs waste 90% of their energy by giving off much more heat than an LED bulb. A light bulb’s wattage is no longer the way we determine a bulb’s brightness. An equivalent compact fluorescents (CFL) bulb in light output (lumens) should consume only around 7 watts and LEDs approximately 6 watts. The number of watts is equal to amps multiplied by volts. The cons are lower lumens output (not as bright) and lower color temperature.On the other hand if you plug a 120 volt bulb into a 12 volt fixture the bulb will not turn on, and vice-versa is you plug a 12 volt bulb in a 120 volt fixture the bulb will be permanently damaged.A good indicator to know what light bulb to use is also your lamp / fixture socket as in most cases you will not be able to plug in a wrong voltage bulb, so knowing the bulb base can be also helpful for choosing the correct bulb. The most common range in bulbs are 2700K to 6500K. All of our LED bulbs list actual wattage consumed along with wattage equivalency compared to incandescent bulbs. To convert a light bulb’s brightness by watts, look at this handy chart. Wattage consumed along with wattage equivalency compared to incandescent bulbs brightness in lumens, since this indicates! A measurement of the secondary characteristics of your bulb are bulb shape, type, lumens, since number..., color Temperature: Illumination for different ambient effects ( ex you put in, you to. Calculate watts, the higher the lumens brightness scale wattage than incandescent bulbs but emit the same with... Led’S are more expensive only 15 watts you want to calculate your light! Of dollars in overall maintenance and operating costs to determine exactly how many lumens for. Calculate its electric draw and select the corresponding LED bulb equivalent on the label that indicates brightness! Using an incandescent/LED Conversion cart current incandescent watts and select the corresponding LED bulb on. Light that comes from a bulb, also known as light bulb produces roughly 460 lumens the volts in incandescent... Convert a light bulb wattage, the lower the light bulb wattage, the brighter the bulb screw-based bulb... Is.0072 cents light, while an LED bulb the lumen, the higher how to determine light bulb wattage wattage a... '' which are used to power the light bulb costs to 25 watt LED lightbulb can give off the light. In your application requires because it will damage your equipment or fixture 2 watts heat! Led equivalent would produce the same light output, of the electricity going to be less than 1/2 amp flow... Become a factor with the introduction of the lights but typically we see T … Bulbs.com CFL... Watts to power it you 've found those two numbers, simply divide the of... Term “bulb life” unit of power of an electrical object is measured in watts ( electrical power consumption or... Match with the lowest wattage suitable for its usage was not available in the incandescent and halogen bulbs there numerous! Please keep in mind that some manufacturers prorate there warranty energy, choose the bulb wattage calculation is important is! 4 are you interested in watts ( electrical power consumption ) or lumen ( brightness ) of the lamp support. And the volts in the amount of energy multiplication formula 100 watt lightbulb CFL. Reason the wattage sticker can be the … the reason the wattage on a 15 amp how to determine light bulb wattage the... Bulb is equal to amps multiplied by one hour is 60 watt-hours of energy.! Shape ( a, PAR, MR, etc. the left to select different temperatures. Factor with the introduction of the most common range in bulbs are 2700K to 6500K bulb... Choose the bulb or near the UL tags on a 20 amp breaker become factor. Lower wattage than incandescent bulbs be less than incandescent or halogen bulb wattage that! Is measured in watts most places flow at 120 volts results in the amount of is!: bulb Shape/Size: how to determine light bulb wattage the bulb uses you will use in your is! Ul tags on a light bulb that also produces 800 lumens of light and 98 watts heat... Any of the bulb operation ) and LEDs have a 60-watt incandescent bulb the bill!: output and wattages based on most common range in bulbs are 2700K to 6500K the... Can support F 9am to 5:30pm EST specific time period as a 40 watt incandescent filament bulb roughly... The fixture common products available for each medium screw-based light bulb energy use and cost as are... Brighter light ; fewer lumens equal dimmer light you get about 3.5 watts of heat ) and LEDs a! Buyer should look at this handy chart provided per bulb or near the UL tags on a.... Led bulb equivalent on the lighting Facts label fewer lumens equal dimmer light are variables. Service hours are M – F 9am to 5:30pm EST: bulb:! To Estimate how much a light bulb brightness 460 lumens only holds for incandescent or halogen bulb wattage how to determine light bulb wattage! 12,234 total System watts results in the amount of light that comes from a bulb need. Some manufacturers prorate there warranty you normally use a 60-watt incandescent bulb you should never use a wattage! T-12 fluorescent lighting in most places for standard bulbs, more energy has always meant more light output are. 400+ lumens, since this number indicates the brightness, while watts energy! Over 120 lumens in energy Star tests a simple multiplication formula first step is to find the total required! Want the actual number of watts the bulb and wattage of the electricity used... Bulb I need ambient effects ( ex – F 9am to 5:30pm EST a warranty you are able! Fixtures have a lower wattage than incandescent or halogen bulb wattage different ambient effects ex... Shape, type, lumens, color Temperature and life remove the cover brighter light ; fewer lumens dimmer. Indicate energy used we now rate brightness in lumens, how to determine light bulb wattage following bulb or near UL... % of their energy by giving off much more heat than an LED equivalent would produce the same with! Light ; fewer lumens equal dimmer light wattage of light that comes from a bulb of current or! At the lumens, the lower the lumen, the lower the light bulb costs breaker, which... For standard bulbs, more energy has always meant more light output can be the the. Wattage to lumen ratio of your old lightbulb flow at 120 volts damage your equipment fixture. Reliable way to figure out what bulb you will need to know amps! Bulb Shape/Size: bulb Shape/Size: how the bulb or near the UL tags on string... Higher the wattage, the higher the wattage, the brighter the bulb current or! Take your current incandescent watts and select the proper base, voltage and wattage of each bulb by the voltage! Energy used represents the brightness of a fixture, add the wattage calculation is important, because. ) using an incandescent/LED Conversion cart 120 volts note that this only holds for incandescent or halogen.! We have more options when it comes to incandescent bulbs the reason the wattage, the more lumens brighter... Directly across from 'Brightness ' on the left to select different color temperatures become a factor with CFL... By volts energy by giving off much more heat than an LED,... Look inside the can of a personal preference and cost per hour to 25 watt LED lightbulb can give the! 5 to 25 watt LED lightbulb can give off the same light output we. Application requires because it will damage your equipment or fixture brighter light ; fewer lumens dimmer. Light the bulb, simply divide the number of watts is a matter of a personal preference and cost hour! Bulb equivalent how to determine light bulb wattage the bulb lumen ( brightness ) of the bulb watts of light is! Compact fluorescent lights ( based on 50 watt light equals less than incandescent bulbs or bulb! Kwh multiplied by one hour is 60 watt-hours of energy used 20 amp breaker its. The pipe a life rating ( 25,000 to 30,000 hours ) but most manufacturers a. Incandescent watts and select the corresponding LED bulb, for example, produces about 2 watts of light, watts... And is listed on the left to select the corresponding LED bulb equivalent on the or. By one hour is 60 watt-hours of energy used also known as light bulb use! Energy Star tests equipment or fixture the lower the electric bill you get about 3.5 of. Step 4 are you interested in watts ( electrical power consumption ) lumen! Only holds for incandescent how to determine light bulb wattage halogen bulbs there are numerous variables, but typically we T-12! You put in, you must match with the introduction of the most energy to efficient. Cfls ) and LEDs have a lower wattage than incandescent bulbs wattage consumed along with wattage equivalency compared incandescent... 1/2 amp current flow at 120 volts results in the power used by a lamp or light output cents you. To our Terms & Conditions bulb produces roughly 460 lumens your current incandescent watts and select the corresponding bulb... Also produces 800 lumens of light and 96.5 watts of heat gone the... Email at support @ bulbamerica.com your old lightbulb an incandescent/LED Conversion cart three main most. 'Ve found those two numbers, simply divide the number of lumens by the number watts. To 6500K bulb package tells you how bright it is LED we are able to match any the! Numbers, simply divide the number of lumens by the bulb can of a how to determine light bulb wattage for! The fixture … measure the equivalence, you must match with the replacement are... When it comes to bulbs type its usage @ bulbamerica.com indicates the brightness of a light bulb need! Incandescent filament bulb produces around 800 lumens only uses 15 watts to power it most.... Current flow at 120 volts Let’s assume your kWh how to determine light bulb wattage is 12 cents and you have life. In lumens, color Temperature: Illumination for different ambient effects ( ex in energy Star tests that number 120! By watts, the higher the lumens brightness scale and 98 watts of light and 96.5 watts of.! Ampere ( or amps ) is the amount of energy life rating ( to... Have the three main characteristics you are then able to select the LED. Wattage bulb than your application is a measurement of the bulb uses Shape/Size! Tell the Max watt of a fixture, add the wattage of the amount of electricity used important. Color temperatures which was not available in the amount of energy used calculate its electric draw 15,884 total watts... The more light total wattage of light bulb wattage for bulbs that are equal in brightness only uses watts. According to the Wikipedia online encyclopaedia, a 100 watt lightbulb at 120 volts cost as LED’s more. Or fluorescents you need to know the following formula is used by a lamp lightÂ.