Lighting Guide
Don't let choosing light bulbs overwhelm you next time you are at the store. Use the DCSEU's Lighting Guide to help you find the right bulb for every fixture in your home. And don't forget to look for the ENERGY STAR® label on all the bulbs your purchase.
Choose Your Hue
When it comes to picking the color of light you want, there are a lot of choices. Measured in Kelvin (K), if you like the warm light that a traditional incandescent bulb produces, look for something around 2,700K - 3,000K. For a whiter light, look for something in the 3,500K - 4,100K range. Or if you prefer a bluer light, look in the 5,000K - 6,000K range.
Find Compatible Bulbs For Your Fixture
Select a fixture to view compatible bulb types.
Pendant Fixtures
Table or Floor Lamps
Ceiling Fixtures
Ceiling Fans
Wall Sconces
Recessed Cans
Track Lighting
Outdoor Covered
Outdoor Flood
Determine How Much Light You Need
Convert Watts To Lumens
With traditional incandescent bulbs, you may be used to looking at the wattage of a bulb to determine how bright it would be. But wattage is really a measure of energy used, not brightness. When replacing a traditional incandescent bulb with a CFL or LED, the best way to get what you want is to look for "brightness" on the label, listed in lumens. The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb.
WattsIncandescent Bulb Energy Used |
LumensNew Bulb Brightness |
|---|---|
| 40 | 450 |
| 60 | 800 |
| 75 | 1100 |
| 100 | 1600 |
| 150 | 2600 |
Prepare For The Store
Making Your Purchase
Armed with the information to make the right choice, when you get to the store, look for the Lighting Facts label on every bulb to help you find the one you’re looking for.
Brightness
Brightness is measured in lumens. The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb.
Estimated Yearly Energy Cost
Helps you compare the cost of using different bulbs.
Life
An estimate of how long the bulb will last.
Light Appearance
Measure in Kelvin (K), this tells you the color of light a bulb produces.
Energy Used
Measures the energy required to light the bulb. The lower the wattage, the less energy used.
Additional Info
Some bulb labels carry additional information. For instance, CFLs contain mercury and should be disposed of properly.
