How to swap the remaining bulbs for LEDs
To switch to LED bulbs, shop by lumens instead of watts: about 800 lumens replaces a 60-watt bulb and about 1,600 replaces a 100-watt. Match the base and shape, pick a color around 2700 to 3000 K for warm light, and buy bulbs marked dimmable for any dimmer switch.
LED bulb lumens and color: how to choose
The Department of Energy says an ENERGY STAR certified LED uses up to 90% less energy than an old incandescent and lasts 15 to 25 times longer. The average US home has about 70 bulbs, so a whole-house swap adds up.
Every bulb box carries a Lighting Facts label, which the Federal Trade Commission requires. It shows brightness first. Read it the way you'd read a food label.
| Old bulb | Look for |
|---|---|
| 60 watts | About 800 lumens |
| 100 watts | About 1,600 lumens |
Color is the next number on the label, measured in kelvin (K). A higher number changes the tint of the light, not how bright it is.
| Label says | Light looks | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 2700 to 3000 K | Warm and soft | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| 3500 to 4100 K | Cool and bright | Garages, workshops, some kitchens |
| 5000 to 6500 K | Blue-white, like daylight | Task lighting |
Check the package for what your fixture needs. Not every LED works with a dimmer, a motion sensor or a daylight sensor, and closed glass fixtures need a bulb rated for enclosed use.
Where to switch to LED bulbs first
Start where lights run longest, because those bulbs save the most. Kitchens, family rooms, porch lights and any fixture left on overnight come first. A closet bulb used a minute a day can wait until it burns out if your budget is tight.
Each spot has its own needs:
- Ceiling fans and closed globes: look for enclosed-fixture approval on the box.
- Recessed cans: these often take reflector shapes, not standard bulbs. Pull one out and bring it to the store.
- Outdoors: check the box for a wet or damp location rating.
- Chandeliers: these often use a smaller base, so look at the bulb before you buy a stack of standard ones.
How to switch to LED bulbs room by room
- Count by room
List each fixture, its bulb count, its base and its shape. Take a phone photo of any bulb you don't recognize.
- Mark the controls
Flag every fixture on a dimmer, timer, motion sensor or daylight sensor. Those need bulbs labeled for that use.
- Turn watts into lumens
Write the lumen target next to each old bulb's wattage before you shop.
- Test one before you buy ten
Try a single bulb in the room, especially on a dimmer, and live with the color for a night.
- Swap with the power off
Turn off the switch and let hot bulbs cool. Use a stable step stool for ceiling fixtures.
- Box up the CFLs
Keep them unbroken in their boxes until you drop them off. Search.Earth911.com lists local options, and many hardware stores take them, so call first.
What it costs to switch to LED bulbs
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard LED bulb | Varies | Compare the price per bulb in multipacks |
| Specialty shapes and dimmable bulbs | Varies | Usually the ones you'll need to hunt for |
| Lifetime saving per certified bulb | About $55 | DOE estimate, in electricity costs |
| CFL recycling | Often free | Some local programs charge a small fee |
Mistakes to avoid with LED bulbs and old CFLs
- Comparing boxes by watts. An LED's watts tell you what it uses, not how bright it is.
- Throwing CFLs in the trash without checking. EPA recommends recycling them. California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington ban mercury lamps from landfills, and other places may be strict too.
- Vacuuming a broken CFL first. EPA says to clear the room, open a window or outside door for 5 to 10 minutes and turn off central heat or air. Then scoop up the pieces with stiff paper and use sticky tape for fragments.
- Shopping with no notes. Odd bases are easy to miss until you're back on the step stool.
What homeowners say about LED bulb color
Pick one warm color temperature for the whole house so rooms don't clash, and add dimmers where you can. Check every multi-bulb fixture. One owner found most bulbs in the house burned out. Note any odd bases before you shop. (Reddit)
Dimmable LED bulbs and other questions
What LED bulb replaces a 60-watt bulb?
Look for about 800 lumens on the Lighting Facts label. The LED's own wattage will be much lower, so use lumens to compare.
Can I put an LED bulb in a dimmer switch?
Only if the package says the bulb is dimmable. The Department of Energy says many LEDs are, but you need to check each product.
Can I throw old CFL bulbs in the trash?
It depends on where you live. EPA recommends recycling them, and some states ban them from landfills. Where trash is allowed, EPA says to seal the bulb in a plastic bag first and put it in the outside trash.
What you’ll need
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, EPA
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.