Shedding Light on Buying Bulbs: A Bright Idea
Energy efficient lighting can save you money. The law requires light bulb manufacturers to provide information to help you choose the most energy efficient bulb. For all standard bulbs, including halogen, reflector, and compact fluorescent bulbs, the package must tell you about:
* Light output: How much light the bulb produces, measured in lumens. A 60-watt regular incandescent bulb yields about 855 lumens. A 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb yields about 900 lumens.
* Energy usage: The total electrical power a bulb uses, measured in watts.
* Voltage: If the bulb is not 120 volts, the voltage must appear on the label. Most bulbs run on 120 volts. Light output and efficiency decrease when you use a bulb with voltage that is different from the voltage you use in your house. Most places in the United States operate on a 120-volt system.
* Average life in hours: How long the bulb will last.
* Number of light bulbs in the package (if more than one).