Equivalent Wattage - LED vs Traditional Lighting

Equivalent Wattage - LED vs Traditional Lighting

Wattage is a measure of energy consumption, not brightness (measured in lumens). For example, the light output of a 100 W incandescent bulb is equivalent to a 10 W LED bulb. However, LED bulbs list equivalent wattages to traditional lighting on the packaging as a guide. Lumens and colour temperature are better indicators of brightness.

This guide will highlight the equivalent wattage between LED bulbs and all alternative lighting solutions.

Equivalent Wattage - LED vs Incandescent Bulbs 

Incandescent bulbs represent the least efficient lighting solution on the market. Many countries have already begun to phase out the sale of these bulbs. 

The table below highlights the vast difference in energy-efficiency between LED bulbs and incandescent bulbs. As we can see, LED bulbs require 10% of the energy needed to light an equivalent brightness incandescent bulb.

Incandescent Bulb (Wattage)	LED Bulb (Wattage)
100	10
75	7.5
60	6
50	5
30	3

Conclusion: switching from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption by approximately 90% per bulb.

Equivalent Wattage - LED vs Halogen Bulbs

Halogen lights entered the market as an energy-efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs. However, the technology is outdated, and many countries have begun to phase out the sale of halogen bulbs.

Halogen Bulb (Wattage)	LED Bulb (Wattage)
100	12
75	11
60	8
50	6
30	4

Conclusion: switching from halogen bulbs to LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption by approximately 85% per bulb.

Equivalent Wattage - LED vs CFL Bulbs

CFL bulbs are more efficient than halogen bulbs. When the price of CFL bulbs dropped to affordable levels in the 1980s, they became the popular choice of efficient lighting, replacing many halogens and traditional incandescent bulbs. However, CFL technology now fails to meet efficiency standards in many countries. 

CFL Bulb (Wattage)	LED Bulb (Wattage)
20	12
15	9
9	5.5
5	3

Conclusion: switching from CFL bulbs to LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption by approximately 40% per bulb.

Equivalent Wattage - LED vs Fluorescent Tube Lights

Fluorescent tube lights use the same technology as CFL bulbs. That is to say, each of the two lighting solutions creates light by passing a current through a gas. Fluorescent tube lights are physically longer and slightly less efficient than CFL bulbs. Let’s see how they compare in equivalent wattage to LED:

Fluorescent Tube Lights (Wattage)	LED Bulb (Wattage)
70	24
58	22
35	18
20	9

Conclusion: switching from fluorescent tube lights bulbs to LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption by approximately 40% - 50% per bulb.

Equivalent Wattage - LED vs Sodium Lighting 

Street lighting is the main use for sodium lighting (there are also some other industrial applications). Sodium lights gained popularity due to their reliable output - even towards the end of the bulb’s life - offering up to 80% output after 24,000 hours. Let’s see how sodium lighting compares in equivalent wattage to LED:

Sodium Lighting (Wattage)	LED Bulb (Wattage)
250	100
150	60
70	30

Conclusion: switching from sodium lighting to LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption by approximately 50+% per bulb.

Equivalent Wattage - LED vs Metal Halide

Metal Halide bulbs create light in a similar way to CFL and fluorescent bulbs. Current passes through a gas, which in the case of a metal halide bulb contains compounds of metals mixed with bromine or iodine. This style of bulb finds uses in commercial, industrial, and public spaces.

Metal Halide Light (Wattage)	LED Bulb (Wattage)
400	200
250	100
150	80
100	30

Conclusion: switching from metal halide to LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption by approximately 50% per bulb.