NEMA Podcasts Explain New Lightbulb Labels and Lumens

To support America’s transition to more-efficient residential lamps, NEMA is producing a six-part podcast series focused on the 5LS of Lighting: Location, Lumens, Lightbulbs, Label and Law. As utilities, contractors, and consumers attempt to both understand and explain the new lighting world, they can quickly learn the basics. The most recent releases are included below.

Labels Podcast–New lightbulb packaging labels are starting to appear on store shelves. There will be varying types of information included on these new labels, and to help sort it out for consumers, we spoke with Hampton Newsome, attorney at the Federal Trade Commission. Information on the new labels will include:

* Brightness (lumens)
* Estimated energy cost savings and life of bulb
* Watts (energy use)
* Whether or not the bulb contains mercury
* Color temperature

Lumens Podcast–Many consumers are unaware of the differences between watts and lumens. To help our listeners understand what these lightbulb characteristics are, we spoke with Pam Horner, Director of Government & Industry Relations at OSRAM SYLVANIA. We learned that a lumen is a measure of useful light, “useful” referring to light that the human eye can see. A watt, on the other hand, does not measure light at all, but rather the amount of electric power used by a bulb. We also discussed the tactics consumers should use when purchasing replacement bulbs.

Craig DiLouie

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