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Energy Efficient Lighting

Lumens vs Watts: What’s the Difference?

Lumens vs Watts: What’s the Difference?

by admin · Apr 10, 2024

Light bulbs have been lighting up our world for over a hundred years, but do we really understand how they work? When you go to the store to buy a replacement bulb, the box labels are filled with numbers and industry terms that can leave you wondering how to know which bulb you actually need.

Fortunately, understanding the difference between lumens and watts is fairly straightforward. Take a quick minute to read this quick summary, and you’ll be ready to hit the stores to find exactly what you need.

Lumens

Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb emits. The technical definition is “the unit of luminous flux, equal to the luminous flux emitted in a unit solid angle by a point source of one candle intensity.” In less scientific terms, the higher the lumen rating, the brighter the bulb. Most mainstream bulb labels use the full term, but if you can’t find the word “lumens” on the label look for its abbreviation, lm.

How many lumens do I need?

Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t put the brightest bulbs you can find in every area of your home. The rooms in your home will all need different levels of light, depending on how you use them. Use bulbs with a high lumen count in areas where you need a much brighter light, like above your kitchen counters. You need much less light in your bedroom, so consider going with lower lumen count bulbs in warmer colors to keep it a relaxing space where you can get some sleep.

While there are complicated equations out there that you can use to calculate your “exact” lumen requirements, the trouble is that every person and every space is different. You may find that you prefer brighter lights than what’s “necessary” in one place and dimmer lights in another. Your best bet is to try a few different bulbs, or better yet – get a dimmer switch so that you can customize your light levels depending on your needs for the day.

Pro Tip: Lumens can be added across several light sources in a space. It’s not an exact science because it doesn’t take into account distance from the source and the angles of the light, but if you have three 800lm bulbs in a room, it will be lit with roughly 1800lm.

Watts

Watts measure the amount of power consumed by the bulb. One watt isn’t much, it’s equal to 1/746 horsepower. It’s named after James Watt, a Scottish inventor credited for creating a steam engine during the Industrial Revolution. The symbol for watts is “W”.

Most electrical devices are rated in watts, although large appliances that use more power are often measured in kilowatts, which is equal to one thousand watts. (1W = 1000kW)

The wattage of a bulb will tell you only how much power it consumes, not how bright it is. The lower the watt rating on the bulb, the cheaper it will be on your energy bill to light your house.

Before you buy, always check your light fixture for its watt rating. Never put a bulb with a higher watt rating than the fixture can handle. If the bulb tries to pull more power than the fixture can handle, it could start a fire.

 Energy-Efficient Bulbs

Before the days of LED bulbs, it was pretty easy to get a good idea of how bright a bulb was by simply looking at the wattage. The higher the watts, the brighter the bulb. LED lightbulbs can give off the same amount of light as a traditional bulb using far fewer watts. This is what the labels mean when they say the bulbs are “energy efficient” – they need less power to provide equivalent light.

TL;DR Lumens and Watts

Lumens and Watts both describe how a lightbulb works. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb emits – the higher the lumens the brighter the bulb. Watts measure the amount of power a light bulb uses. Newer light bulbs like LEDs can produce a lot of light (lumens) using very little power (watts), making them more energy-efficient.

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Need help finding the right light bulb? Give the experts at Western Chandelier a call!

Filed Under: 2022, Energy, Energy Efficient Lighting, General Lighting Tips, Informational, Light Bulbs, Lighting Types

Eco-Friendly Interior Design: 5 Tips For a Sustainable and Stylish Home

Eco-Friendly Interior Design: 5 Tips For a Sustainable and Stylish Home

by admin · Apr 12, 2023

There are many advantages to making your space more eco-friendly. By reducing your home’s carbon footprint, you can save money and even improve your home’s air quality. The trick is doing it without compromising on style. If you’re struggling to find sustainable yet stylish swaps for your space, look no further! Below we have rounded up some of our favorite eco-friendly interior design ideas.  

1. Bring The Outside In 

Indoor plants make for great decor – they are lush and give your space dimension, texture, and color. House plants can also be powerful air purifiers and help reduce the levels of CO2 in your home. If you’re already a plant parent, you may want to consider an indoor vegetable or herb patch. These small but mighty gardens look great on any window sill, plus you can eat their produce! A dedicated LED grow light will ensure you can harvest your indoor garden all year round.

2. Opt For Natural Fibers 

Whether you’re in the market for a new rug, light fixture, or pouf, look for items made from natural fibers such as jute. Jute is a material made from the jute tree, which is a fast grower and needs very little water to survive. Jute is also bio-degradable and recyclable – making it super eco-friendly!  When it comes to upholstery, opt for bamboo fabrics. Latex is another solid option as it comes from the rubber plant. 

3. Pick Low or Zero VOC Paints 

One of the most important decorating decisions you will likely make is the color of your walls. Your color palette will determine the mood of your space and set the tone of your home style. The problem with paint is that many contain harmful VOCs – or volatile organic compounds. The best eco-friendly interior design paints are labeled “low VOC” or “zero VOC.” These paints are water-based, are lower in odor, and are a more eco-friendly option.

4. Swap Your Bulbs 

Every good interior designer knows that a room’s lighting will make or break the space. To make your existing lighting more eco-friendly, opt for high-quality LED bulbs. They consume less energy than regular bulbs, and they last much longer. This means fewer bulbs are being manufactured and ending up in landfills – and your utility bills will be lower.  

5. Dim Your Lights

Dimmers are excellent for many reasons, and they can totally transform your space. With just your fingertips, you can go from bright and fresh to warm and moody. Dimmed lights also use less energy than regular lights, which is good for the planet and your wallet. Interior designers also love dimmers for the plate switches. They are sleek and sophisticated and are sure to elevate any room. 

To find out more about sustainable lighting options, give us a call or stop by our showroom. Our lighting experts can help you find exactly what you need to go green.

Filed Under: 2022, Energy Efficient Lighting, Life & Style

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