Buying Guide

When choosing a color, the two considerations are color rendering, which means how well the light
shows the true color of objects, and temperature. The higher the temperature, the brighter the white.
Bulb temperature is measured in Kelvin's, and warm white LEDs are usually between 2,500 and
3,000 K, while bright white is between 4,500 to 5,000 K. Color rendering is measured on a scale of 1
to 100 and LEDs can score as high as 85.
Light Intensity (aka "Brightness")
Light intensity is measured in lumens. To replace an incandescent or CFL bulb with an LED bulb,
look for one that produces the same number of lumens as the old bulb. Do not use watts as a
measure of brightness. As noted, watts actually measure electricity usage, which varies between
different bulb technologies.
It is more energy efficient to replace an incandescent with an LED immediately rather than waiting
for the old bulb to burn out. However, if replacing all the bulbs in the house with LED bulbs is too
expensive, begin with the light fixtures that are used the most often.
Conclusion
Buying LED bulbs is a more energy-efficient alternative to using other bulb types. Consumers should
make sure the LED bulb will fit in the fixture where it will be used. First determine what base
configuration, shape, and size will fit, and then decide how many lumens and what color works best.
After that, the only task left is to find a good deal on a bulb. LED bulbs are more expensive than
traditional bulbs, but they last much longer and are a good long-term investment. Once a light fixture
is matched with a good bulb, it may not need to be replaced for upwards of 20 years. It is important
to get the right kind of bulb that provides the best energy-efficiency and color for the space it
illuminates.