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Watts Explained: Understanding Power Consumption in Lighting
What Are Watts and Why Do They Matter?
Watts (W) measure how much electrical power a light consumes. They indicate the amount of energy drawn from your electricity supply to produce illumination. In older incandescent bulbs, wattage was directly linked to brightness. However, with energy-efficient lighting such as LEDs, watts now represent power consumption rather than brightness, helping you understand how much energy and cost your lighting requires.
Watts vs Lumens
While watts measure energy use, lumens measure visible light output. A 60-watt incandescent bulb might produce 800 lumens, but an LED can produce the same light using only 8 to 10 watts. This demonstrates why modern efficiency is measured in lumens per watt (lm/W) — the higher the number, the more efficient the light source.
How to Calculate Lighting Energy Use
You can estimate how much energy your lighting uses with a simple calculation:
Power (Watts) × Time (Hours) = Energy Used (Watt-hours)
Example: A 10W LED bulb running for 5 hours uses:
10W × 5h = 50 Wh or 0.05 kWh
If electricity costs £0.34 per kWh, that light costs around £0.017 (less than 2p) to run for 5 hours. Multiply this across all lighting in your home or business to see how upgrading to LEDs can significantly reduce your energy bills.
Improving Efficiency and Reducing Costs
Reducing wattage without sacrificing brightness is key to energy savings. Switch to LED lighting, install smart controls, or use dimmers to optimise power usage. Every reduction in wattage lowers both energy consumption and carbon footprint, especially across large installations.
Typical Wattage by Light Type
Conclusion
Watts represent the energy your lighting consumes, not how bright it is. Understanding this difference allows you to make informed, energy-efficient choices that reduce running costs and environmental impact. For the most efficient lighting, compare both watts and lumens to find the perfect balance between brightness and power use.
Learn More About Lumens →
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