Labels

How to Read the Lighting Facts Label on a Bulb Box

Every box of household bulbs carries a small black-and-white panel. It answers the questions that matter in the store, if you know how to read it.

Where the label came from

In 2011, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission began requiring manufacturers to include labels on light bulb packaging in order to help consumers select the best bulb for their lighting needs. The labels show “Lighting Facts,” modeled after the “Nutrition Facts” labels on food packages.

U.S. Department of Energy, Consumer Guide to Energy-Efficient Lighting

The Lighting Facts label gives shoppers the information they need to buy the most energy-efficient bulb to meet their lighting needs. The label includes a bulb’s brightness, energy cost, life, light appearance, and wattage.

Federal Trade Commission, The FTC “Lighting Facts” Label: Questions and Answers for Manufacturers

The five lines

• Brightness, in lumens. This is the light you get.
• Estimated yearly energy cost, in dollars.
• Life, in years.
• Light appearance, shown as a marker on a scale from warm to cool.
• Energy used, in watts.

Where the yearly cost comes from

The estimated annual energy cost of each lamp included in the package, expressed as “Estimated Energy Cost” in dollars and based on usage of 3 hours per day and 11 cents ($0.11) per kWh.

Code of Federal Regulations (FTC Energy Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 305), 16 CFR 305.23 -- Labeling for lighting products.

The label does not know your habits. It assumes 3 hours a day and 11 cents per kWh for every bulb, so that two boxes can be compared. For a TJOY A19 at 9 watts the sum is 9 × 3 × 365 ÷ 1,000 × $0.11, or $1.08 a year.

1. Take the wattsUse the energy used line, not the equivalent wattage on the front of the box.
2. Multiply by your hoursA porch light on from dusk to dawn runs about 12 hours a day, four times the label figure.
3. Apply your rateFind the price per kWh on your electric bill and use it in place of 11 cents.

Life in years

The life, as defined in this part, of each lamp included in the package, expressed in years rounded to the nearest tenth (based on 3 hours operation per day)

Code of Federal Regulations (FTC Energy Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 305), 16 CFR 305.23 -- Labeling for lighting products.

Most TJOY bulbs are rated for 15,000 hours. At 3 hours a day that is 15,000 ÷ 1,095, or 13.7 years. Run the same bulb 12 hours a day and expect about 3.4 years.

Item TJ-A19-DTD

Dusk-to-Dawn A19 LED Bulb

9 W, 800 lumens, light sensor

4 whites

4.7 · 607 ratings

$8.98from · $2.50 per bulb

Item TJ-A19-60

A19 LED Light Bulb, 60W Equivalent

9 W, 800 lumens, not dimmable

4 whites

4.7 · 2,028 ratings

$7.99from · $0.83 per bulb

Item TJ-BR30-65

BR30 LED Flood Bulb, 65W Equivalent

9 W, 800 lumens, 120° flood, dims

4 whites

4.6 · 643 ratings

$18.99from · $1.92 per bulb

Item TJ-G9-40

G9 LED Bulb, 40W Equivalent

4 W, 450 lumens, G9 pins, not dimmable

4 whites

4.7 · 807 ratings

$9.99from · $1.50 per bulb

Light appearance

the correlated color temperature of each lamp included in the package, measured in degrees Kelvin, expressed as “Light Appearance” and by a number and a marker placed proportionately on a scale ranging from 2,600 K on the left to 6,600 K on the right

Federal Trade Commission, The FTC “Lighting Facts” Label: Questions and Answers for Manufacturers

A marker near the left end means a warm, yellow white. A marker near the right end means a cool, blue white. A 2700K bulb sits almost at the left edge.

Quick answers