Can I replace a 60W fixture with a higher-watt LED equivalent bulb?
LED lights have grown in popularity over time. LED bulbs are increasingly being used to replace incandescent lamps in houses. Is it okay to use LED bulbs with greater power equivalents than my fixtures allow? is one of the most often asked topics.
To that, I say YES.
If the LED bulb uses less wattage than the fixture, you are permitted to substitute an LED bulb with a greater wattage equivalent.
Let's make the explanation above simpler.
When a label reads "60-watt LED equivalent," it does not always signify that the LED bulb uses 60 watts. It really implies that the light the bulb generates is equivalent to that of a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
When a fixture warns against exceeding a specific Watt limit, it is warning against the risks associated with incandescent bulbs' high heat production. But LED light bulbs produce less heat than incandescent lights.
So, even if the socket specifies "not to exceed 60-watts," you might install a 100-watt equivalent LED light bulb without risk. A high wattage LED may not be appropriate for enclosed installations, however, so bear that in mind. For instance, if you put a 14W LED bulb, which has an equivalent power of 100W, in a 40W fixture, the light bulb is extremely likely to burn out quickly.
The reason why LED light bulbs are so energy-efficient is another common query.
This is so that LED light bulbs may produce light without using direct heat.
The spectrum of radiation produced by an incandescent light bulb in general is much broader. That is so because the source of light is heated metal. In addition to visible light, incandescent bulbs can create non-visible radiation including infrared and ultraviolet light. They need a lot more energy as a consequence. In contrast, LED bulbs only emit visible light and have a much narrower range of emission. They become much more energy-efficient as a result.
How can I tell whether an LED bulb will be sufficiently bright? Another common query we get is this one.
Think about Lumens rather than Watts when you are buying for LEDs. In general, an LED light bulb with 800 lumens will generate the same amount of light as a typical 60-watt incandescent bulb.
What happens if you wish to utilize something more vibrant? Since all of them utilize less than 60 watts, you may use a 100 watt, 125 watt, or even 150 watt LED equivalent without any problems. For instance, a 150 watt LED equivalent produces around 2,600 lumens while only using 30 watts. In essence, this implies that you can use a 150 watt LED equivalent bulb in a socket designed for a 60 watt bulb and get illumination that is more than three times as bright.
Compared to the conventional incandescent bulb, LED bulbs provide more even lighting. However, not every LED bulb offers the same level of illumination. Only LED lights with a CRI90+ rating provide high-quality light. When you shop for LEDs in the future, keep this information in mind.
