When it comes to choosing the right LED (light emitting diodes) light bulb, it’s important to select the proper ENERGY STAR® certified LED for the right application inside or outside of your home. Energize Connecticut and its partner, United Illuminating, offer a simple, three-step process to help take the guesswork out of selecting LED lighting.
Three things to look for:
1. ENERGY STAR label on the packaging.
• This ensures that the bulb meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This also means that the bulb uses less energy than traditional incandescent or CFL light bulbs.
2. Energize Connecticut logo on the shelf for reduced pricing on ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs.
• Energize Connecticut partners UI and Eversource work together with retailers and manufacturers to promote and offer instant discounts on ENERGY STAR certified lighting products that are designed to save energy and money on customers’ utility bills.
3. Lighting facts label.
• Much like a nutrition label on food packaging, the lighting facts label provides information that can help consumers choose the right bulb for their needs.
Information found here includes:
i. Lumens: the light output or brightness, this is the number to focus on
ii. Lifetime: measured in years and based on 3 hours/day of use
iii. Estimated yearly energy cost
iv. Color temperature: the light appearance measured in Kelvins, the high end of the scale gives a cooler and bluer light the lower the number gives a warmer and more yellow light
v. Energy Used: measured in Watts
“When it comes to our electric bills, lighting accounts for up to 20 percent,” said Lisa Sarubbi, ENERGY STAR retail product program manager, UI. “Energy efficient LED lighting can use up to 90 percent less energy than traditional incandescent lighting, making choosing the right bulb for your needs even more important.”
Sarubbi also added that the while the lighting section of a retail store can be overwhelming, knowing what to look for can help make the best decision for their home. “Looking for the ENERGY STAR and Energize Connecticut logos is a great place to start. Then, look at the lighting facts label and other information on the package to make sure the bulb meets your specific needs.”
To help consumers make the switch to LEDs, discounts are now available through the Energize Connecticut initiative. For an instant coupon please visit led.energizect.com.
UI is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). For more information on energy-saving programs and services provided through the Energize Connecticut initiative, call 1-877-WISE-USE or visit EnergizeCT.com.
About Energize Connecticut
Energize Connecticut helps you save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the State, and your local electric and gas utilities, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy-saving programs can be found at energizect.com or by calling 1.877.WISE.USE.
###