If you're trying to figure out how to replace light bulbs with LED bulbs, the government offers coupons to make these bulbs cheaper - but only if they are ENERGY STAR certified. ENERGY STAR certified products have this logo on the package:
Ontario offers discount coupons to make the cost of converting to LED bulbs more palatable. Often, the coupons will be found in stores but you can download and print as many coupons as you need from SaveOnEnergy's Printable Coupons page. To save on paper, I've combined up to 5 coupons (store sale limit of 5) on one sheet.
You get $3 off for the regular light bulbs (A-code, one or two bulb package). For a package of 3 or more, there is a $8 off coupon for A-code bulbs. All other types of bulbs get a $5 off coupon. There is also a $8 or $15 coupon for light fixtures, depending upon the number of light sockets. For ceiling lighting, consider Energy Star certified ceiling fans ($10 coupon) because these could also help you to keep cool in the summer and reduce your air conditioning costs.
LED bulbs are sold by the light output (luminous flux, in lumens, abbreviated lm) so:
- 1600 lumens is about the output of a 100 watt incandescent bulb
- 1100 lumens is about the output of a 75 watt incandescent bulb
- 800 lumens is about the output of a 60 watt incandescent bulb
- 450 lumens is about the output of a 40 watt incandescent bulb.
The other thing to look for is the colour temperature in Kelvin (K) and, the higher the temperature, the bluer the light. Common bulb colour temperatures are:
- 2700K – Soft white
- 3000K – Warm white
- 5000K – Cool white / daylight
You should look for a bulb with the lumens you want using the least amount of power (in watts). For example, you can get bulbs that put out 800 lumens but they vary from 9W, 9.5W, 10W, etc. The colour temperature of the bulb affects the watts consumed so bluer bulbs tend to use slightly less power. The last thing I consider is the life rating (10,0000 hrs, 25,000 hrs, etc) of the bulb. If two bulbs are identical in every respect, check to see which has a longer rated lifespan.
LED bulbs were horrendously expensive only until recently. With incentives and increasing economies of scale, the price of LED bulbs has started to come down but they're still more expensive than compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and far more than the old incandescents. 40-60 watt equivalent bulbs are relatively cheap compared with other outputs and shapes. I’ve been looking for LED bulbs that cost less than $3/bulb (with or without the coupon).
Wait for a sale before replacing bulbs and be sure to use your discount coupons!