Why we list the CFL or LED wattage with our Lamps
Don't be left out in the dark - Get enlightened on why we switched to CFL and LED bulbs! You may notice that many of our lamps state the required wattage of an incandescent and CFL or LED bulb in the product description.
Incandescent light bulbs have been the standard bulb used in lighting fixtures for years but are now being phased out. When electricity passes through a wire filament in this bulb, it produces a lot of heat. This heat causes the filament to glow, which produces light. Incandescent bulbs are inexpensive and easy to produce; however, they are the least energy-efficient bulbs on the market.
CFL bulbs, or Compact Fluorescent Lights, are small, coil-shaped fluorescent bulbs that use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. They produce less heat and could last up to 9 years. More energy-efficient than traditional light bulbs and therefore higher priced, CFL bulbs generally do not need to be changed as often. CFL bulbs contain mercury, which makes disposing of them a little more difficult.
LED bulbs, or Light Emitting Diodes, produce light that is up to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs do produce some heat but it is absorbed by "heat sinks" that help release heat safely into the surroundings. This prevents them from overheating and burning out. Because of this technology, LED bulbs are more expensive than incandescent and CFL bulbs. However, the life expectancy of the bulb is much greater.
So what you are waiting for? Make the switch!
Please use the Touch of Class(R) Conversion Chart below. Light bulb brightness is measured in 'lumens'. The higher the lumen value, the brighter the light. This watts vs lumens chart will help you determine the wattage needed to provide similar brightnesses from each of the three types of bulbs.
Lumens | Incandescent Bulb | CFL Bulb | LED Bulb |
|---|---|---|---|
CFL Bulbs vs LED: CFL bulbs often have a coil shape and produce less heat. They use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs are 90% more efficient and use heat sinks to prevent burning out or overheating.