FTC wades in on home lighting labels

[headers]

I just found this missive on home lighting labels from the FTC.

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/06/lightbulbs.shtm

Converting over from incan Watts to the light output you might want and get has to be a win.

Should there be anything else on the label? How long before regular home bulb buyers (who have not fiddled with nicer flashlights) are comfortable in lumens for their lighting purchase? What do you guys think?

I have had a problem explaining to people how bright a 1000 lumen light is in the past, usually for 1000 I just go with a car headlight. If more choices are available based on lumens maybe things will change.

S

 

[gsegelk]

My initial impression is that this is a good move...they included a lot of the key factors such as color, life, and watts consumed. The fact of the matter is that the incan wattage value is a misleading comparison and is hindering the adoption of newer lighting technologies. Of course, there are other factors that can't be ignored (primarily price) that are contributing to a lack of adoption.

I don't think it will take long for people to adjust to the new rating...I would think that during the transition we'll still see product labeling claim what the incan wattage equivalent is.

The 'life' rating...is that to a set percentage of minimal light output and if so, what value is it? For instance, some lights will dim over time. For example, I think some LED lighting claims x number of hours before 50% light output (or something like that).

The only thing I would like to see in addition (but don't know a good way to go about it) is to show the light characteristics such as flood, spot, etc. For example, all LED downlights do not have the same flood characteristics. Some are more spotty and some have very smooth flood output. I have 4 different LED flood downlights and each have very different characteristics. I had no way of knowing what the 'flood characteristics' was for each without buying them and seeing for myself.

 

[fyrstormer]

A 60W incan is roughly 1000lm. It's not that tough. People will be fine.

 

[LEDninja]

I think during the conversion period an incandescent comparison chart would help.
Such as:
100W 1400-1600 lumens.
60W 800-900 lumens.
40W 500-600 lumens.
At the present time a depressing number of LED bulbs in the 100-200 lumen range are claiming to be equivalent to 40W bulbs.

 

[blasterman]

The problem with just using lumens is it doesn't work well when used in conjunction with optics. 400 'legitimate' lumens of LED for instance can be brighter than a 100watt bulb in terms of actual lux. Proved this with Bridgelux in other threads.

However, the flip side to this are the LED bulbs LEDNinja rightly complains about. An underpowered LED bulb can be marketed to seem brighter than it is simply because it's using 60degree optics.

In this respect, the current 'wattage/comparison' index even though it seems silly does work. A typical consumer might not be able to calculate the lumens/lux they need, but when they see stuff like "compares to 30watt bulb" on the label of a $39 LED retrofit at Home Depot typically it will rightly draw some reservations.

What's the most helpfull is when big box stores actually have all the bulbs out on display so you can make your own comparions. I see this more and more with CFLs and PAR. The problem is that given the cruddy out-put of current LED retrofits this would only hurt the sales. I've yet to see an LED retrofit on display in such a fashion.

 

[racerford]

The problem is the incandescent watt equivilent depends on the bulb type and fixture it is put in.

A PAR38 in a ceiling fixture could work in a spot version with lower lumens in an LED because of the more controlled spot.

In a round bulb in a table lamp, a different radiation pattern is needed to get the same useful light.

This is a very complicated conversion due the very different radiation patterns of the bulbs and fixtures. Well, and the use of the fixture.

 

[ddawg16]

Overall I think its a good idea....though I too have an issue with the 'life'. I think they should 'also' show the number of hours.

When you think of comparisons....think of Imperial vs Metric....people still have trouble with metric units.

My wife is English....I heard the stories from her mom about what it was like when the UK converted from old money to new money....many people could not understand it....some even committed suicide....

So....anything they do to help people understand....good thing....in a few years people will understand what things like CRI means.