Energy-Saving Lamps to LED
Over the past decades, lighting technology has undergone major changes. First, incandescent bulbs were replaced by energy‑saving lamps—also known as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)—but today, LED technology dominates. For companies and industrial environments, switching to LED means lower energy costs, better light quality, longer lifespan, and reduced maintenance.
But how do you actually know which LED bulb corresponds to an old energy‑saving lamp? Here we explain the differences and provide a comparison table to make things easier to understand.
From Energy-Saving Lamps to LED
Traditional energy-saving lamps were a step in the right direction compared with incandescent bulbs—they used less electricity and lasted longer. But they also had several drawbacks: long warm‑up times, sensitivity to cold, contained mercury, and had a limited lifespan.
With LED lighting, technology has taken a major leap forward. LED bulbs are significantly more energy‑efficient, switch on instantly, are flicker‑free, and often have a lifespan exceeding 50,000 hours. For businesses and industries where lighting is on many hours per day, switching to LED can lead to substantial cost savings and an improved working environment.
Watt vs. Lumen – How Do You Measure Brightness?
In the past, lamps were measured in watts because a 60‑watt incandescent bulb always produced roughly the same amount of light. But wattage is actually just a measure of energy consumption—not how much light the bulb emits.
For LED, it is lumens (lm) that indicate how much light a lamp produces. An LED bulb can use far less energy (watts) while still producing the same light output (lumens) as a much more powerful incandescent bulb or energy-saving lamp.
What Do Different LED Outputs Correspond To?
When switching from energy-saving lamps or incandescent bulbs to LED, it can be confusing that wattage is no longer directly comparable. Therefore, it’s helpful to understand what different LED wattages roughly correspond to in older lamp types.
1 watt LED ≈ 8–10 watt incandescent
A 1‑watt LED bulb is very small but still effective. Common in decorative lighting, signage, accent lighting, or small fixtures—ideal for hotels, restaurants, or display lighting.
2 watt LED ≈ 15–20 watt incandescent
Suitable for small spaces or decorative lighting—used in wall lamps, small spotlights, or corridor fixtures.
3 watt LED ≈ 25 watt incandescent
Good for small rooms or spaces where soft but functional light is needed—common in downlights or small office fixtures.
4 watt LED ≈ 30–35 watt incandescent
Often used for general lighting in smaller areas such as offices, staff rooms, or stairwells.
5 watt LED ≈ 40 watt incandescent
A common choice for workplaces where 40‑watt incandescent bulbs were previously used—ideal for offices, stores, and shared areas.
7 watt LED ≈ 50–60 watt incandescent
One of the most popular LED strengths—provides strong, versatile lighting suitable for offices, retail, and residential environments.
11 watt LED ≈ 75–100 watt incandescent
Delivers powerful light suitable for large spaces such as warehouses, production halls, or stores—used where strong, even light is essential.
Comparison Table
| LED (Watt) | Equivalent Incandescent (Watt) |
|---|---|
| 1 W | 8–10 W |
| 2 W | 15–20 W |
| 3 W | 25 W |
| 4 W | 30–35 W |
| 5 W | 40 W |
| 7 W | 50–60 W |
| 11 W | 75–100 W |
When Should You Switch From Energy-Saving Lamps to LED?
It is almost always profitable to switch from energy-saving lamps to LED, especially when:
The fixtures are becoming old and inefficient.
Better light quality is needed for a safer, more comfortable work environment.
The company wants to reduce operating costs and meet sustainability goals.
Switching to LED is an investment that pays for itself quickly thanks to lower energy consumption, fewer replacements, and more sustainable lighting.
Sustainable Lighting With Aura Light
At Aura Light, we help businesses find the right lighting for their needs. Our experts guide you to energy‑efficient LED solutions that provide the right brightness, improve the work environment, and reduce both operating costs and environmental impact.