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Convert luminous flux to power consumption based on bulb efficiency
Watts = Lumens ÷ Luminous Efficacy (lm/W)
Current efficiency: 90 lm/W (LED (90 lm/W))
| Lumens (lm) | LED (90 lm/W) | CFL (60 lm/W) | Incandescent (15 lm/W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 450 lm | 5 W | 7.5 W | 30 W |
| 800 lm | 8.9 W | 13.3 W | 53.3 W |
| 1,100 lm | 12.2 W | 18.3 W | 73.3 W |
| 1,600 lm | 17.8 W | 26.7 W | 106.7 W |
| 2,400 lm | 26.7 W | 40 W | 160 W |
| 3,000 lm | 33.3 W | 50 W | 200 W |
| 4,000 lm | 44.4 W | 66.7 W | 266.7 W |
| 5,000 lm | 55.6 W | 83.3 W | 333.3 W |
| 7,500 lm | 83.3 W | 125 W | 500 W |
| 10,000 lm | 111.1 W | 166.7 W | 666.7 W |
Lumens (lm) measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a source, representing actual brightness. Watts (W) measure electrical power consumption, not brightness. With modern LED technology, watts no longer indicate brightness as they did with incandescent bulbs. A 10W LED can produce the same brightness as a 60W incandescent bulb due to superior luminous efficacy. Understanding the lumens-to-watts relationship helps consumers choose energy-efficient lighting while achieving desired brightness levels. The conversion depends on bulb technology: LEDs achieve 80-100 lumens per watt, CFLs reach 50-70 lm/W, while traditional incandescent bulbs only produce 10-17 lumens per watt, wasting most energy as heat.
Watts measure energy consumption, not light output. Traditional incandescent bulbs had a predictable brightness-to-wattage ratio because their technology was standardized. Modern LEDs convert electricity to light far more efficiently, producing the same brightness using a fraction of the power. Always check lumens for actual brightness, not watts.
A "60-watt equivalent" LED produces about 800 lumens (same as a traditional 60W incandescent) but only consumes 8-9 watts of power. This represents an 85% reduction in energy consumption while providing identical brightness. Always look for the lumens rating and actual wattage on LED packaging.
No, LED efficiency varies by quality, age, and design. Budget LEDs may achieve 70-80 lm/W, while premium models reach 100-120 lm/W. Efficacy also depends on color temperature (warm white vs. cool white) and bulb design (directional vs. omnidirectional). Check the specific bulb's specifications for accurate efficiency ratings.
When dimming compatible bulbs, both lumens and watts decrease proportionally, maintaining similar efficiency. A dimmable LED at 50% brightness uses roughly 50% of its rated wattage and produces 50% of its lumens. However, some older dimming technologies (like phase-cut dimmers with certain LED drivers) may reduce efficiency slightly at lower settings.
No, wattage only indicates power consumption and cannot be used to compare brightness across different technologies. A 15W incandescent, 15W CFL, and 15W LED produce vastly different amounts of light (225 lm, 900 lm, and 1,350 lm respectively). Always compare lumens when evaluating brightness, and use watts only to calculate energy costs and electrical requirements.
Manufacturers include "watt equivalent" (like "60W equivalent") to help consumers transition from incandescent thinking to lumens-based selection. It provides a familiar reference point for those accustomed to shopping by wattage. However, this is gradually being phased out as consumers become more familiar with lumens as the standard brightness measure.