LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs are the most efficient lights that you can buy, using 80 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb.

 

 

LED FAQs

Is there ENERGY STAR qualified LED lighting? 

Yes, currently there are ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures, screw-in replacement bulbs, and decorative light strings that use LEDs. ENERGY STAR qualified LED lights consume 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescent lights.

What are LEDs? How do they work?

LED stands for light-emitting diode. LEDs are small light sources that become illuminated by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material. 

Are there ENERGY STAR qualified LED replacement screw-in bulbs?

Yes—visit the list of qualified LED replacement screw-in bulbs. This ENERGY STAR product category does not include the long tubes often seen in office buildings.

Are LED lighting products dimmable?

Yes, LED lighting products can be dimmed, but not all are. LED bulbs and fixtures must be designed to dim, and they are not compatible with all dimmer controls designed for incandescent bulbs. It may be necessary to replace existing dimmer switches with ones that are compatible with the LED lighting product. Check the packaging or accompanying instructions to find out if the product is dimmable and which dimmer products are approved for use with the product. As the LED industry grows, fully compatible LED dimmers will become more prevalent in new construction. In the meantime, confirm with the manufacturer that their product is compatible with your dimmer.

Do LEDs create heat?

LEDs don't feel hot to the touch like other light sources. Incandescent bulbs produce heat that is felt in the beam of light, much like the heat that is felt from sunlight. The light from LEDs does not create additional heat in a room. Nevertheless, LEDs do create some heat that can affect the light quantity and quality over time. To combat the negative effects of heat on LED performance, manufacturers incorporate heat sinks in their designs to transfer heat from the LED. Like a cold spoon that warms up in a hot cup of water, the heat leaves the LED through the heat sink, in a process called conduction, without emitting heat. The metallic fin-like features commonly found on LED bulbs and fixtures are heat sinks.

What color of light does ENERGY STAR qualified LED lighting come in?

ENERGY STAR qualified LED lighting is available in a wide variety of shades of white light, "warm" light comparable to the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs, "bright white" light for reading or bluer "cool" daylight for task work. Light color is measured on a temperature scale referred to as Kelvin (K). Lower Kelvin numbers mean the light appears yellow; higher Kelvin numbers mean the light is whiter or bluer. Color for ENERGY STAR qualified LED lighting for indoor residential use is restricted to 3500K or less to provide only warm white light, with the exception of portable desk bulbs that can be as high as 5000K where the light just starts to appear more blue.

• To match the color of incandescent bulbs look for 2700-3000K
• For a whiter light, look for 3500-4100K
• For bluer white light, look for 5000-6500K

What is a watt? What is a lumen?

A watt is the measure of power consumption and is the common way incandescent light bulbs are identified—for example 60-watt, 75-watt and 100-watt. When purchasing a light bulb, however, what you really should look for is lumens, which is the measure of light output. For example, when you purchase a 60-watt incandescent bulb, you are getting about 800 lumens. By selecting a 13-watt ENERGY STAR qualified CFL bulb instead, you can still get 800 lumens, but it requires much less power.