ENERGY STAR^® certified LED bulbs are a more energy-efficient alternative to a standard incandescent light bulb. LEDs can be used almost anywhere incandescent bulbs are used: in recessed fixtures, table lamps, ceiling fixtures, porch lights, vanity bars and more, but remember to check the packaging for proper use.

LEDs have several advantages over incandescent lighting: they use up to 90% less energy, produce 90% less heat while delivering the same amount of light, and come in a variety of styles.

Although LEDs may be more expensive to purchase initially, you save money in the long run because the operating costs of these bulbs are much lower. They save on energy costs and because LEDs can last 15 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, they save on replacement costs.

APS discounts are automatically included in the bulb price. The price you see is the price you pay at the register – there are no coupons or rebate forms to fill out! Just look for the APS shelf signage indicating qualifying bulbs at participating retailers, or ask a sales associate which bulbs are discounted through APS. To find a retailer near you offering discounts on LEDs, enter your ZIP code in the retailer search box on the bulb discounts tab.

A watt is actually a measure of power consumption, not an indication of how bright the bulb is. When purchasing a light bulb, consider your light output or brightness, which is measured in lumens. Look for an LED with the same lumen output as the incandescent bulb you are replacing. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb and a 10-watt LED both produce about 800 lumens of light, but the LED requires much less power.

The Lighting Facts labels on bulb packages are much like nutrition labels on food to help you choose the right bulb. Look for lumens on the front of the package and select the bulb that produces the brightness you need. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light.

Just like incandescent bulbs, LEDs have different options for light appearance, which is measured on a Kelvin (K) color temperature scale. Color “temperature” describes light appearance, in other words low color temperatures appear yellow, while higher temperatures look whiter. If you want a warm, yellow light like sunrise and sunset, choose a bulb with a low temperature around 2700K. For a cool, crisp light like the white daylight of noon, choose a higher temperature, around 5000K.

Yes, BUT always read the package to be sure of its proper application. There are a wide variety of ENERGY STAR certified LEDs that are designed for use in most fixtures in your home or business.

Product types include:

• A-shaped omni-directional bulbs – these general-purpose bulbs shine light in all directions, so they can replace incandescent bulbs in ceiling lights, lamps, wall sconces and more.
• Globes – good in fixtures where the bulb is exposed, such as bathroom vanity lights or pendant lamps.
• Reflectors – intended for recessed cans, track lighting and even some protected outdoor spot lights.
• Candle shapes – for use in some porch lights, in wall sconces and in some chandeliers.
• Check the packaging to ensure the bulb is rated for 3-way or dimmable fixtures (like chandeliers, recessed lights or track lighting). Using LEDs that are not labeled “dimmable” in a dimmable fixture can shorten their lifetime.

Make sure your LED bulb has the word “dimmable” on the packaging before using it with a dimmer switch. However, be aware that LEDs have a more limited dimming range, so the bulb may turn off before the switch is dimmed completely, or the LED may remain brighter than you like at the bottom of the range. If you experience problems with your bulb, you may want to check that your dimmer switch is compatible with the bulb type and replace it if it is not.

ENERGY STAR qualified products have been tested to meet stringent performance criteria established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE). The criteria ensures that all bulbs earning the ENERGY STAR label meet minimum lifetime and efficacy requirements, and are within maximum allowed product start and warm-up times.

Manufacturers are also required to label the product if the light output is different than that of a soft white incandescent. If you choose a bulb that is not ENERGY STAR certified, you might not get the performance you are looking for.

ENERGY STAR manufacturer partners must certify that their product meets the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and DOE. When they do, they may place the label on their product. As technology advances and more energy-efficient products make it to the marketplace, ENERGY STAR reviews the guidelines for each product category and strengthens them as necessary to ensure that, generally, only the top 25% of products in each category can earn the label.

Incandescent light bulbs work by heating a tungsten filament, or wire, until it glows. This is what produces the light you see. Unfortunately, 90% of the energy used to generate that light is wasted as heat, making incandescent bulbs a very inefficient way to light your home.

LEDs are referred to as solid-state lighting technology, or SSL. Basically, instead of emitting light from a vacuum (as in an incandescent bulb) or a gas (as in a CFL), an SSL emits light from a piece of solid matter. In the case of a traditional LED, that piece of matter is a semiconductor. An electrical current passed through semiconductor material illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs. The little bit of heat produced is absorbed into a heat sink, keeping the bulb cool.

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified LEDs right away, rather than waiting until they burn out, is beneficial because you can start saving energy and money now, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of throwing away the incandescent bulb, you can always save it for areas where lights are only on for a few minutes at a time. LEDs provide the most savings in applications where the light is on for at least two hours a day.

Click here to visit ENERGY STAR’s website for more in-depth information about energy efficient lighting.