A Simple Guide to LED Bulb Brightness and Color Ratings

The bulb brightness and color rating of LED lights should affect your choice of which bulbs to buy. Follow this simple guide to LED bulb brightness and color ratings. Enjoy saving time and money by making the right choice. Avoid making common mistakes when you make the switch to LEDs.

Brightness

A bulb’s brightness is measured in lumens. This means that a bulb with more lumens has brighter light and one with fewer lumens has dimmer light. A benefit to LEDs is that they use less wattage. They use less energy while producing more lumens. Not only will you save money on your electricity bill, but you’ll also have a more sunlike atmosphere in your home. Light affects your mind and body. You’ve probably heard you should cut back on your use of electronics with blue light. You can also benefit from switching out traditional halide bulbs in your light fixtures for LED bulbs.

Lumen Level Replacement

Follow this guide if you are looking to replace your bulbs:

• Change out a 100-watt incandescent bulb for an LED bulb that provides about 1600 lumens.
• Change out a 75W bulb with an LED bulb that provides 1100 lumens.
• Change out a 60W bulb with an LED bulb that provides 800 lumens.
• Change out a 40W bulb with an LED bulb that provides 450 lumens.

Remember, the more the lumens, the brighter the bulb. If you want to replace a bulb in a parking lot, for example, you will need a higher lumen bulb. If you need a larger output, consider LED corn lights, which are energy-efficient HID lamps. HID lamps are shaped like corn cobs and use many LEDs for a large amount of light.

Color Ratings

The color of a light bulb is measured in Kelvin. While incandescent bulbs produce warm light, LED bulbs allow a wide range of colors. These colors range between 2700k, warm tones, to 5000k, cool tones. Follow the Light Kelvin Scale to decide what bulb you need.

• 2800K—Very warm white
• 3000K—Warm white
• 3500K—White
• 4000K—Cool white
• 5000K—Daylight
• 6500K—Natural daylight

If needed, print off this simple guide to LED bulb brightness and color ratings. Take it to the store with you and ask a professional to guide you to the correct bulbs from the information provided. Enjoy saving time and money when switching to brighter LEDs.