Light bulbs have come a long way since Thomas Edison. Today’s LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 15 times longer. And less energy used means more savings: By upgrading just six of your most-used bulbs to LED ENERGY STAR® models, you can save up to $90 per year in energy costs.

Most ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs are dimmable. Check out the package to be sure and visit the manufacturer-provided URL for a list of recommended dimmers.

Lighting Buyer's Guide

If you’re new to LEDs, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with their different color temperatures. Some consumers who have purchased LEDs in the past mistakenly think they’re always a cool, daylight blue. Actually, like incandscent bulbs, LEDs can range from warm yellow to daylight blue. The key is to look at the bulb’s K value, which indicates temperature.

Color temperature describes the light appearance of a light bulb and is measured in Kelvin (K).

Yellow Range: 2,700K to 3,500K ­— ranges from orange to yellow-white in appearance. Cozy, inviting and warm. Good for bedrooms, living rooms and dens. Highlights rich colors like dark wood.

Neutral Range: 3,500K to 4,100K — emits a more neutral white light and may have a slightly blue tint. Clean, crisp and radiant. Good for kitchens, work spaces and bathrooms. Best for enhancing white or chrome features.

Blue Range: 5,000K to 6,500K — emits blue-white light that mimics daylight. Active and bright. Cool tones are ideal for detail-oriented activities and promoting alertness.

Watts vs. Lumens 

It’s a misconception that watts (w) indicate brightness, when in fact watts measure electricity use. Lumens is a direct measure of brightness and it's the way LEDs are labled. Use the table below to determine which LEDs to buy to replace your existing incandescent bulbs.