Do you know how to tell if your light bulb is LED? It can be tricky because there are a lot of different types of light bulbs on the market these days. In this article, I going to share with you 7 easy ways to tell if the light bulb you have is LED.
So, how do you know if your light bulb is LED? There are a few ways to tell, but some of the most common tips are by checking;
- Power Consumption
- Led Lights Are Dimmable
- How Long The Light Bulb Has Lasted
- The Price
- See If It Is Cool To The Touch
- How Bright The Bulb Is
- The Type Of Socket
- The Bulb Sizes
- Packaging
In the rest of the article, I’m going to break down each of these ways in a little more detail. So, stick around to find out more!
1. Power Consumption
One of the easiest ways to tell if your light bulb is LED is by checking the power consumption.
Although not the most obvious way to tell immediately if a light bulb is led, how much power the light bulb consumes is a good indicator of whether or not your light bulb is LED.
Ideally, an led bulb will consume about 80 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb. In some instances, LEDs consume around half the energy of incandescent bulbs.
So if you have a way to quickly check how much power your light bulb is consuming, that can be a good way to tell if it is LED.
One easy way is to check the packaging of your light bulb. Many LED light bulbs will list their wattage on the package.
Another way to check is by looking at the base of your light bulb. If it has a number that starts with “A”, then it’s an LED.
2. Led Lights Are Dimmable
Another sure way to check if your light bulb is LED is by its ability to be dimmed. This helps to create the perfect mood for any occasion.
All LED lights are dimmable, while not all incandescent or fluorescent bulbs are.
Dimmable led lights are becoming more and more common as people are making the switch from incandescent bulbs to LEDs.
This isn’t a characteristic that all LED light bulbs share, but if you have one in your home that can be dimmed, it’s likely LED.
To test if your light bulb is dimmable, try turning the knob on your lamp or switch to the lowest setting. If you’re able to control your lights by dimming them and the light gets brighter or dimmer, then your light bulb is LED.
If you’re not sure if your light bulb is LED, try looking for a label on the light bulb that says “dimmable.”
So if you’re looking for a light bulb that can be easily dimmed to create the perfect mood, then an LED is your best bet.
3. How Long The Light Bulb Has Lasted
Another way to test if your light bulb is LED is by how long it has lasted. Although this may not be the most accurate way to test, it can still be helpful.
LEDs typically last a lot longer than all other types of bulbs. Typically, an led bulb can last up to 25,000 hours, which can be translated to more than 20 years with average use (which is around 4-6 hours a day).
There are led lights today that can even last up to 50,000 hours which is totally amazing – which when compared to other types of light is significantly more.
When compared to other types of bulbs like the CFLs which would usually give you between 8,000 to 12,000 hours or the incandescent, between 750 hours to 1000 hours of life.
So if you’ve had your light bulb for a while and it’s still going strong for more than 10-15 years, it’s likely LED.
If you’re not sure how long your light bulb has lasted, try checking the package or label for the number of hours it is supposed to last.
4. The Price
You can also know if your light bulb is led by how much it cost. LEDs are typically more expensive than other types of light bulbs, but they last a lot longer.
On average, a standard 40w led light bulb will cost you between $15 and $25. Whereas a CFL light bulb will cost you around $0.50 to $0.75 and an incandescent light bulb costs about $0.25 to $0.30.
So if the price is significantly higher than other types of bulbs, it’s likely LED.
Keep in mind that some LED light bulbs come with a higher price tag because they offer additional features like being dimmable or having a longer life span.
It is important to add that the price difference between LED and incandescent or CFL bulbs has been decreasing in recent years as LED technology has become more popular.
But even though the prices are getting closer, LEDs are still more expensive than other types of bulbs. This, however, applies to the initial cost as led lights always pay for themselves in the long run.
5. See If It Is Cool To The Touch
Led bulbs do not generate heat the way incandescent or fluorescent bulbs do.
One way to tell if your light bulb is LED is by feeling it. If it’s cool to the touch, then it’s likely an LED.
This is a good characteristic of LEDs because they don’t produce heat like other types of bulbs which can be dangerous and create fires.
Led lights will only become warm after it has been on for a while and reached their full brightness.
On the other hand, incandescent and fluorescent bulbs will get very hot to the touch, especially if they’re being used in a confined space.
So if you’re going to be touching the bulb, make sure to use some kind of hand protection to first test out how hot the bulb is.
If your light bulb is cool to the touch, it’s likely LED. If not, then it might be a different type of light bulb.
5. How Bright The Bulb Is (Light Output)
LEDs are known for their bright light output. One way to know if your light bulb is LED is by how bright it is. LEDs are typically a lot brighter than other types of bulbs.
LEDs emit white light as opposed to the yellow-ish hue from incandescent lights. CFLs have a greenish-white light.
CFLs and incandescent bulbs usually emit a softer light, while LEDs emit a crisper, whiter light. A good led bulb will produce about 65 to over 70 lumens per watt as compared to incandescents that can only produce around 15 lumens per watt.
This means that an LED bulb uses less energy and emits more light than a regular incandescent bulb.
So if you have different types of bulbs installed in your house and you’re trying to figure out which is LED, the easiest way to tell is by how bright it is.
If a particular light bulb is significantly brighter than the other type of bulbs in your house, then it’s likely LED.
One thing to note: not all led light bulbs are created equal. Some might be a little bit brighter than others or have a different color temperature.
But in general, LEDs are a lot brighter than other types of bulbs.
If you’re not sure how bright your light bulb is, try to compare it to other light bulbs in your house.
6. Mercury Content
LEDs do not contain mercury as CFLs and other types of light do. One way to know if your light bulb is LED is by checking the mercury content. LEDs typically don’t have any mercury, while light bulbs like CFLs do.
Some CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury – about 0.01 milligrams – which can be released into the air if the bulb is broken.
Mercury is a toxic element that can cause health problems, so it’s important to know if your light bulb contains mercury or not.
The way you know if your light bulb contains mercury or not is by checking the label. If it doesn’t say anything about mercury, then it’s likely that the bulb does not contain any.
But if it does say that it contains mercury, then you should probably know immediately that it is not an led light bulb.
7. The Type Of Socket
Another way to know if your light bulb is LED is by the type of socket it fits. Most LED bulbs fit into an E26 or E27 socket, which is the same as an incandescent light bulb.
But not all LED bulbs fit into this type of socket. Some might fit into a GU24 socket, which is used for CFLs, or a GX23 socket, which is also used for CFLs.
So if you’re not sure what type of socket your light bulb uses, try to look for the label or consult the manufacturer’s website.
The type of socket is another way to identify whether your light bulb is LED or not.
9. Packaging:
When you see the packaging always have ‘’LED’’ or other additional information that indicates that they are LED bulbs. However, we must be careful with naming conventions and try to understand on the different conventions and their meanings.
8. Bulb Size.
With advanced technology LED bulbs have been improved and sometimes are made smaller than traditional incandescent bulbs or sometimes they are more compact fluorescent bulbs. Technology has made LED to be more efficient and does not require much space to produce the same light. Nevertheless, LED bulbs can come in different shapes depending on demand.
How to differentiate LED Bulbs from other Bulbs.
Lifespan: LED bulb has a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs on average it has up to 25,000 hours for household bulbs and up to 50,000 hours for commercial use.
LED has a smart bulb version: LED offers a smart bulb that can be controlled by using a smart application. You can switch on and off and regulate the colors using the smart remote control.
The size and shape of bulbs: LED bulbs are produced in different sizes and shapes; you can easily choose the right size and shapes you need that will suit your requirements.
Dimming capabilities: Some of the bulb-emitting diodes are not compatible with dimmer switches. Make sure you check before you purchase to ensure the specifications indicate that the light is dimmable.
Compensation and discount: Some of the community local government and utility companies are providing discounts and compensation when you buy and use energy-efficient LED products.
Final Thoughts
So those are some ways to tell if your light bulb is LED. Hopefully, this article was helpful and you’re now able to identify whether your light bulb is LED or not.
If you’re still not sure, don’t worry – just consult the manufacturer’s website or contact customer service.
LEDs are a great alternative to other types of light bulbs and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
So if you’re looking for a more energy-efficient option, then consider an LED light bulb.