LED Bulbs

An LED bulb, also known as an LED lamp, is used for general-purpose lighting applications. LED bulbs emit light in a very narrow band of wavelengths and come in a variety of technologies. One technology used for LED bulbs uses multiple LED chips in close proximity to generate light. The second technology uses LEDs with a phosphor.

Lumens are a measure of the luminous flux or quantity of light emitted by a source. The higher the lumen output the brighter the light. A bulb with a high lumen output and a low wattage is energy efficient.

LED bulbs can come in a variety of styles including A19 bulbs, G25 bulbs, BR/R bulbs, chandelier bulbs, MR16 bulbs, PAR bulbs, tubes, and downlights to meet every lighting need whether it be indoor, outdoor, commercial, or residential. Take a look at the varieties we have to offer!

Any bulb that is very bright (has a high number of lumens) and consumes very little energy (has a low wattage) is considered energy efficient. An LED bulb will consistently produce brighter light (more lumens) using less energy (low watts). This means you can get the same amount of light for as much as 80% less wattage. For example, if you need a bulb that gives off 800 lumens of light, an incandescent bulb would use 60 watts of power to shine that much light. Meanwhile, an LED bulb would only use 15 watts of power to give you the same amount of brightness. In that way, you save money (because the bulbs use less energy and therefore last longer) without sacrificing the quality of your light. The typical lifetime of LED bulbs is quoted to be 25,000 to 100,000 hours, compared to 1,000 hours for incandescent bulbs and 10,000 for CFL bulbs.

LED stands for Light-emitting diode. A light-emitting diode is a two-lead semiconductor light source. When a suitable voltage is applied to the leads, electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons.

While traditionally you may have determined which bulb you purchased by the wattage listed on the packaging, nowadays, with LED technology on the rise, we are measuring the brightness with lumens. The lumen output of a bulb is directly related to the bulb’s brightness. Thus, the higher the lumen, the brighter the bulb! Most A-shaped LED bulbs will replace a traditional 40W or 60W incandescent. However, the brightest LED bulb has a brightness of about 2500 lumens. This 30W LED bulb is equivalent to a 250W incandescent bulb and consumes less energy than a traditional bulb. Read more about lumens vs. watts on our blog!

When it comes to purchasing the right light bulb, knowing the differences between them can be helpful in guiding your buying decision. Although purchasing incandescent, CFL, or halogen bulbs may have lower upfront costs than LED bulbs, they do not offer some of the many benefits of LED lighting:

1. LEDs can last up to 25,000 hours without needing a replacement
2. LEDs are the most efficient alternative to traditional lights
3. LED bulbs are Energy star rated for optimal efficiency
4. Lower annual cost of operation
5. LEDs generate less heat than incandescent bulbs that waste about 90% of their energy from heat emissions.
6. LEDs are mercury-free

Read more about LEDs on our blog!

Unlike color temperature, CRI (or color rendering index) refers to how well a light is able to show an object’s true color. Light bulbs with a low CRI (less than 50) will generate colors that look washed out and dull. On the other hand, LED bulbs, with a CRI of 80 or more, will show a more vibrant and true color. In retail settings or grocery store displays, you should always choose a light bulb with a very high color rendering index. Lights with a higher CRI will illuminate displays more effectively and help attract customers. Read more about CRI on our blog!

LED bulbs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types, so figuring out which light bulb you need can be a bit daunting. There are several things you should take into consideration when choosing the right bulb for you:

• Desired lighting function: general lighting, task lighting, or accent lighting
• Bulb type
• Lumens (or desired brightness)
• Color temperature and CRI
• Light fixture type

Still need help? Check out our Light Bulb Fitting Guide: What are Bulb Bases and Types?

• Learn more about the Anatomy of the LED Light Bulb.
• Learn more about bulb bases and types.
• Learn more about the oldest light bulb known to exist.