Vintage style is all the rage. In homes, bars, and restaurants, you see the old-fashioned light bulbs adorning cozy, inviting spaces and adding a neat vintage vibe to décor. Some call them “Edison” bulbs, since they are designed to show the filament like the original light bulb invented by Thomas Edison.
Did you know that many of those vintage style light bulbs use the latest LED technology? Turns out, they are extremely energy efficient! Today’s manufacturers have figured out how to string together tiny LEDs to look just like an old-fashioned filament. And, believe it or not, these LED filament style bulbs are some of the best energy saving light bulbs among those that earn the ENERGY STAR label.
Get the vintage look but be sure you make the smart choice of one that has gone through the extensive ENERGY STAR certification process. All “filament” LED bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR are here. There are all kinds of shapes, from standard A19 to Globes and Candle shapes.
Have you been looking for tear shaped bulbs? This shape is called ST. You can find the list of certified bulbs with this shape here.
Looking for that very warm amber glow? Check out the ENERGY STAR certified options here. Many are also dimmable. Some even get warmer as they dim. For tips on dimming LED bulbs click here.
FAQs
Some call them “Edison” bulbs, since they are designed to show the filament like the original light bulb invented by Thomas Edison. Did you know that many of those vintage style light bulbs use the latest LED technology? Turns out, they are extremely energy efficient!
How efficient are old light bulbs? ›
A typical 60-watt incandescent bulb uses as much as 12 times the electricity as a 5-watt LED that provides nearly the same amount of light.
Are all light bulbs energy efficient? ›
Light bulbs that are 100% energy efficient would have the ability to convert all electricity to light, while not producing any heat. Generally, LED bulbs are 90% efficient, CFL bulbs 85% efficient, while incandescent bulbs are only 10% efficient.
How much energy does an old style light bulb use? ›
On average, incandescent light bulbs use about 60 watts of electricity, and LED light bulbs use about 10 watts.
Do vintage light bulbs get hot? ›
They get hot! Especially the 60 watts bulbs. They on average last 3000 hours. Only available in one color temperature which is very warm.
Do old lamps use more electricity? ›
Energy efficient lighting has made immense progress over the last decade—and old wiring and fixtures weren't made to the same standards we have today. This means that any of the old lighting in your home or commercial building could be greatly contributing to your energy consumption.
Should I keep old light bulbs? ›
It is recommended to recycle CFLs and other types of fluorescent bulbs so that the glass and metals can be reused. In fact, almost all components in a fluorescent bulb can be recycled. CFLs and fluorescent tubes that contain mercury can and should be recycled to prevent hazardous leaks into the water supply.
How long do vintage light bulbs last? ›
The warm amber glow of the vintage style incandescent filament light bulb will provide a nostalgic feel to any environment. Incandescent bulbs typically last between 1,500 - 3,000 hours and are fully dimmable to help you increase their average life span.
How much power does an old bulb use? ›
Compare wattage
| Traditional bulb1 | Halogen2 | LED |
|---|
| 40 watts | 25 watts | 5 watts |
| 60 watts | 40 watts | 7 watts |
| 75 watts | 45 watts | 9 watts |
| 100 watts | 60 watts | 12 watts |
1 more rowLED light bulbs stand out as the most energy-efficient option, using 75% less energy and lasting 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
To determine if your light bulb is low energy, you can look for the energy efficiency rating label on the packaging. The new energy rating label shows a rating from A (most efficient) to E (least efficient) and gives information on the bulb's energy and power consumption amount, brightness, and expected lifespan.
Is it cheaper to leave lights on or turn on and off? ›
In general, the more energy-efficient a lightbulb is, the longer you can leave it on before it is cost effective to turn it off. In addition to turning off your lights manually, you may want to consider using sensors, timers, and other automatic lighting controls.
What is the efficiency of an old style light bulb? ›
Traditional or incandescent light bulbs were invented more than 100 years ago and are extremely inefficient. Only about 5% of the electricity they use converts into visible light. What's more, the bulbs don't last long because the filament that creates the light evaporates as heat passes through it.
How much does it cost to run one light bulb for 24 hours? ›
On average, a 10W LED light bulb used for 24 hours will cost about $0.10 to $0.20. This is significantly less than traditional incandescent bulbs, making LED bulbs a cost-effective and energy-efficient choice for both indoor and outdoor lighting.
What type of light bulb is the most energy efficient? ›
LED bulbs
- They consume significantly less energy than other types of bulbs.
- Some LED bulbs can last as long as 100,000 hours (over 10 years of use!)
- LEDs are four to five times more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs.
- They produce a brilliant level of brightness at a cool operating temperature.
Those old bulbs are not worth the electricity they'll use, so dump 'em. Unlike compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, they don't contain hazardous materials. The bulb materials are so low in value that recycling doesn't help.
How long do vintage bulbs last? ›
Incandescent Light Bulb
The warm amber glow of the vintage style incandescent filament light bulb will provide a nostalgic feel to any environment. Incandescent bulbs typically last between 1,500 - 3,000 hours and are fully dimmable to help you increase their average life span.
How do newer light bulbs use less energy? ›
Direction: LEDs emit light in a specific direction, reducing the need for reflectors and diffusers that can trap light. This feature makes LEDs more efficient for many uses such as recessed downlights and task lighting.
