An important message from the Federal Trade Commission - How to shop for light bulbs using lumens

Oct 13, 2026

Federal Trade Commission guidance explains why modern light bulbs are judged by brightness measured in lumens rather than wattage, since newer technologies use less energy for the same light output. It describes the shift to Department of Energy efficiency standards beginning in 2012 and how bulbs failing to meet them will be phased out. The guidance teaches shoppers to use the Lighting Facts label for lumens, estimated yearly energy cost, expected life, light appearance, wattage, and any mercury information, and notes Energy Star and recycling details.

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A new way to shop for light bulbs

What are lumens?

How bright a light?

A label to help you shop

On the bulb

For more information

An important message from the Federal Trade Commission Light bulbs are getting better. Newer bulbs—like halogen incandescents, CFLsand LEDs—last longer and use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, saving you money on your energy bills. In fact, beginning in 2012, everyday light bulbs have to meet new Department of Energy standards for how much energy they use. Bulbs that don’t will be phased out over the next couple of years. Along with this move to more efficient bulbs comes a new way to shop for them. What Are Lumens? For years, people have chosen light bulbs by the watt, learning over time about how bright a typical 40-watt or 60-watt bulb is. But wattage tells you only how much energy a bulb uses—not how bright it is. With newer light bulbs designed to useless energy, wattage is no longer a reliable way to gauge a light bulb’s brightness. That takes lumens. lumens = brightness watts = energy Lumens measure brightness. A standard 60-watt incandescent bulb, for example, produces about 800 lumens oflight. By comparison, a CFL bulb produces that same 800 lumens using less than 15 watts. How Bright a Light? This chart shows the number oflumens produced by common incandescent bulbs. If you’re looking to buy a bulb that will give you the amount of light you used to get from a 60-watt bulb, you’ll now look for 800 lumens. You can use lumens to compare the brightness of any bulb, regardless of the technology behind it, and regardless of whether it’s a You used to look for Now you look for Estimates based on typical incandescent bulbs halogen incandescent, CFL or LED. Using lumens helps you compare “apples to apples”when you shop for light bulbs. Once you knowhow bright a bulb you want, you can compare other factors, like the yearly energy cost. A Label to Help You Shop When you shop for light bulbs, you’ll also want to think about light appearance, or color temperature. Light appearance ranges from warm to cool. Warmer light looks more yellow, like the light from a traditional incandescent bulb, cooler light appears more blue. To find out the light appearance of a light bulb, look at the Lighting Facts label on the package. The Lighting Facts label gives you information you need to compare different bulbs. It tells you: Brightness (in lumens) Yearly estimated energy cost Expected bulb life (in years) Light appearance (how warm or cool the light will look) Wattage (the energy used) If the bulb contains mercury | Lighting Facts Per Bulb | | --- | | Brightness 820 lumens
Estimated Yearly Energy Cost $7.23
Based on 3 hrs/day, 11¢/kWh Cost depends on rates and use | | Life
Based on 3 hrs/day 1.4 years Light Appearance
Warm Cool

2700 K | | Energy Used 60 watts | The label may include the Energy Star logo if the bulb meets the energy efficiency and performance standards of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program. For more on Energy Star standards, visit [energystar.gov](energystar.gov). Lighting Facts labels will be on most everyday household light bulbs starting in 2012. On the Bulb The number oflumens will be printed on the bulb. If the bulb is a CFL, it may be on the bulb’s base. CFLs also will include a web address, [epa.gov/cfl](epa.gov/cfl), for information on safe recycling and disposal. CFLs contain mercury, so cleanup and disposal require some care and attention. For More Information Learn more about shopping for light bulbs at [energysavers.gov/lighting](energysavers.gov/lighting). To get free information on consumer issues, visit [ftc.gov](ftc.gov) or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. [ftc.gov](ftc.gov) Federal Trade Commission

FAQs

Why is lumens the preferred way to choose a light bulb instead of watts?

Watts only indicate how much energy a bulb uses, not how bright it is. Lumens measure brightness directly, letting shoppers compare different bulb technologies accurately.

What information should you look for on the Lighting Facts label?

The label provides brightness in lumens, estimated yearly energy cost, expected bulb life, light appearance (warm to cool), wattage, and whether the bulb contains mercury.

When will lighting facts labels and efficiency standards start affecting everyday household bulbs?

Lighting Facts labels are expected on most everyday household bulbs starting in 2012, and beginning in 2012 bulbs must meet new Department of Energy standards or be phased out over the next couple of years.

Oct 13, 2026

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