How to Check the Energy Efficiency of a Light Bulb
Lighting not only affects our energy bills and the atmosphere of our homes, but it also plays a large role in our environmental footprint.
Choosing energy-efficient lighting is not only a smart choice for your wallet but also for the planet. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of checking the energy efficiency of a light bulb.
We aim to help you make a more informed choice on your next shopping trip.
How to Understand Energy Labels
There are four main areas that you need to understand to be able to read the energy label of a lightbulb.
This includes:
1. Energy Efficiency Rating
As of October 2021, UK energy labels were changed to a simple A-G rating scale.
This swapped the old A+, A++, or A+++ for a simplified scale, with ‘A’ indicating the most energy-efficient light bulb and ‘G’ the lowest.
This scale has raised the standards for each category, resulting in fewer top-rated products and forcing producers to enhance efficiency even further.
2. Lumens and Wattage
In the past, the brightness of bulbs was measured in watts, which represents energy consumption rather than brightness.
Today, lumens are the most important metric to consider. This indicates how much light the bulb emits and, thus, its brightness.
A greater lumens value indicates a brighter light. This allows you to evaluate and compare the genuine light output of several bulbs, regardless of their energy consumption.
3. Colour Temperature
The colour temperature of a light bulb is measured in Kelvins (k). This specifies the colour of light produced by the bulb, ranging from warm to cool.
Lower Kelvin levels indicate a more yellow and warm light, which is great for cosy, relaxing surroundings.
Higher Kelvin levels indicate bluer, cooler light, which is ideal for concentration and visibility in the workplace.
4. QR Codes and Additional Information
The latest light bulb labels also have QR codes that you can scan to get a product information sheet right from your smartphone.
This sheet includes extensive facts about the product's performance, manufacturer, and other technical features, ensuring transparency and helping you make the right choice.
The Transition to LED Bulbs
LED bulbs have now become the standard for many lighting manufacturers, as they are safer for the environment and more energy efficient.
In September 2021, the UK government phased out the sale of halogen bulbs. This decision was made to introduce more energy-efficient lighting, which significantly lowers carbon emissions.
Compared to halogen lamps, LEDs consume up to 80% less electricity and can last up to 25 times longer. This lowers household energy bills and reduces the environmental impact of the production, shipping, and disposal of light bulbs.
How to Properly Dispose of Light Bulbs
You must know how to properly dispose of each type of light bulb once it has reached the end of its life cycle.
Follow the guidelines below to dispose of your bulbs responsibly:
- Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs): CFLs contain a small quantity of mercury, necessitating careful handling and disposal. If a CFL bulb breaks, ventilate the area and pick up the shards with rubber gloves. All fragments should be placed in a plastic bag, sealed, and delivered to a local hazardous waste recycling centre. This keeps mercury from entering the environment and causing health problems.
- LED Bulbs: LED bulbs are safer to dispose of than CFLs as they contain no harmful materials. Take them to a local recycling centre that accepts electronic debris. This ensures that precious materials, such as semiconductors and metals, are recovered and reused.
- Halogen and Incandescent Bulbs: Although these bulbs do not contain dangerous compounds such as mercury, they are often not recyclable due to their unique construction and materials. However, contact your local waste management facility to see if they have a disposal or recycling programme for these types of bulbs.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Lighting with Light Supplier
At Light Supplier, we’re committed to providing affordable, energy-efficient lighting solutions for every home.
Whether you’re looking to illuminate your garden or install reliable kitchen lighting, we have just what you need.
We also provide modern solutions for commercial lighting, ideal for offices, retail stores, and warehouses. Browse our products today and help us pave the way to a greener future.