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Re-activateQ: I don't want to waste money on lightbulbs—of all things—and am considering LEDs. Just how bright is the bulb supposed to be?
A: A bulb's brightness, or the amount of light it gives off, is expressed in lumens. A dim bulb is no bargain, regardless of how inexpensive it is. You'll save energy by choosing LEDs or CFLs that provide the desired brightness at the lowest wattage (watts indicate the amount of electricity a bulb uses). When swapping out 60-watt incandescents, check the lumens stated on the package of the replacement bulb and note that Energy Star requires its LEDs and CFLs to have at least 800 lumens. Energy Star also requires a minimum of:
Buying an LED or CFL isn't socket science, but there are a few things you'll want to know, such as the bulb's kelvins and warranty. And check out the consumer guide, The 5 L's of Lighting, from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, a trade group. The days of plunking down 50 cents for a lightbulb are soon coming to an end, so the more you enlighten yourself, the better off you'll be.
—Kimberly Janeway
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