Lumens vs Watts - Which Matters More?

When it comes to buying light bulbs, you'll often hear about lumens and watts. But what do these terms mean, and which one should you really pay attention to?

Lumens: A measure of brightness

Lumens measure how much light a bulb produces. The more lumens a bulb has, the brighter it is. Lumens are the most important factor to consider when buying light bulbs.

For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens of light. However, a 60-watt LED bulb produces the same amount of light with only 8-10 watts of energy.

Watts: A measure of energy consumption

Watts measure the amount of energy a bulb consumes. The lower the wattage on a light bulb, the less energy it consumes.

For example, a 40-watt bulb consumes less energy than an 80-watt bulb. But remember, watts do not necessarily indicate brightness.

Which one should you look for, then?

When it comes to lighting technology, lumens are more important than watts. Lumens measure how much light a bulb produces, while watts measure how much energy it consumes.

In conclusion, when shopping for light bulbs, focus on the number of lumens first, and then consider the wattage. By doing this, you can ensure that you're getting the right amount of light while still conserving energy.

References

• "Lumens vs. Watts: Which Should You Use?" - Energy.gov
• "Light Bulbs: Know the Facts" - Energy Star.gov
• "Lumens and Wattage for LED Light Bulbs" - Lowe's