CFLs have undergone many changes since they were first introduced over 15 years ago. ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and can fit in many of the most common fixtures. More choices are available now than ever before!

 

Finding the right ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb for your home is easy!
Just ask yourself:

• What shape and size of light bulb will fit the fixture?
• How much light do I need in the room?
• What colour of light will look best?

What shape and size will fit the fixture?

Different fixtures need different types of bulbs. Using the chart on the right, find your fixture and then see which bulbs will work best.

How much light do you need?

Check the packaging: To choose the ENERGY STAR qualified bulb with the right amount of light, find a bulb that is labeled as equivalent to the incandescent bulb you are replacing. Light bulb manufacturers include this information right on the product packaging to make it easy for consumers to choose the equivalent bulb.

Check the lumen rating: You can also check the lumen rating to find the right bulb. The higher the lumen rating, the greater the light output.

Incandescent and CFL: Light Output by Wattage: To determine which ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb will provide the same amount of light as your current incandescent bulb, consult the following chart.

Standard Incandescent Bulbs (watts)	ENERGY STAR® Qualified CFLs (approximate watts)	Minimum Light Output (lumens)
40	10	450
60	13	800
75	20	1,100
100	23	1,600
150	38	2,600

What is a lumen? A lumen is the measurement of light output. Unlike watts, which measure the power consumed by the bulb, lumens indicate the amount of light you are getting.

What are watts? When purchasing light bulbs, it is important to know that the wattage rating listed on the bulb and packaging isn't a measure of light output, but a measure of the energy the bulb uses.

What colour of light will look best?

ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs are available in many of the same colours as regular bulbs. Choose the colour that works best in your room and provides the look you desire.

	FOR WARM LIGHT: Choose an ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb that states "warm white" or "soft white" on the package, with a colour temperature of 2,700 to 3,000 K.

	FOR COOL WHITE LIGHT: Choose an ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb that states "cool white" or "daylight" on the package, with a colour temperature of 3,500 to 6,500 K.

 

What is a Kelvin (K)?

The colour of light is often described using a term called colour temperature, which is measured in degrees Kelvin or Kelvin (K).

Lower Kelvin numbers mean the light has a warmer colour, while higher Kelvin numbers mean the light has a cooler colour.