You may be familiar with the term 'Lumens' and what it means, especially if you've shopped around for lighting before. If you're not familiar with it and are unsure how it is relevant to lighting, don't worry. Just like weight is measured with grams and volume is measured in litres, light is measured with lumens, and it's important to know what it is when choosing lighting. The number of lumens a light can emit is linked directly to how bright it is, meaning you can use this to determine which lighting you want.
There is more to choosing lighting than just the lumen level, though, with colour, type of bulb and power consumption all being important factors. If you're looking for an eco-friendly option with lower power consumption, LED lights are a great option. Whether you opt for an LED bulb or LED strips, they're typically able to produce a high lumen level with minimal power consumption. This is also a great example of why lumens shouldn't be the only thing you look for in a light.
At Vision Lighting, we stock a range of lighting products that can produce varying levels of lumens, giving you a wide range of choices to find the light output that you want. From energy-efficient bulbs to fairground lighting for bold signage, we've got you covered on all bases. If you have any questions about the products we stock or need help choosing a lighting option that is suitable for you, please get in touch. You can call us on +44 (0) 1132 799745 to speak to a member of our team directly or email us at info@vision-lighting.co.uk with your message.
What are lumens?
So, what exactly are lumens? Well, in simple terms, lumens = light output. If the level of lumens is higher, this will create a brighter light. This is why it's important to know the lumen measurement when buying a light, as this, and only this, will determine how bright the light is. It's a common misconception that a higher wattage level equals brighter light, but this isn't the case. You could have a light bulb that consumes a large amount of energy but outputs the same level of light as a bulb with lower power consumption. This is all due to energy efficiency and doesn't mean that if you're getting an energy-saving bulb that you have to compromise on the light level.
This is possible due to the way that different lights work, and you'll notice this by simply touching the light. A traditional incandescent bulb, which features a filament, works on a heat-based system. When power is supplied to the bulb, it is conducted through the filament, which heats it up as a result. This then gets so hot that it begins to glow and, therefore, creates light. These types of bulbs typically require more power as the energy is converted into heat and then light, whereas an LED light is able to convert electric energy directly into light. This system is far more energy-efficient and requires less power, which also means that you can cut down on your electricity bill by switching to LEDs.
The abbreviation for lumens is 'lm', which is important to know if you're working out how energy efficient a bulb is. In the equation, the level of lm/w (lumens per watts) will need to be calculated in order to identify the efficiency of the bulb. This is done by dividing the total lumen output by the wattage input, leaving you with Xlm/w. The result will also help you determine how much the light bulb will cost to run. So, if the number is high, at around 150lm/w, for example, this will be cheaper to run as you're getting a higher lumen output for less wattage input. For a light with an efficiency of around 70lm/w, this will be more expensive, as more power is needed to achieve a lower level of lumen output.
What about lumens per watt?
You should always look out for Lumens per Watt (Lm/W) when determining which LED lighting products are the most energy-efficient. Lm/W evaluates how much light is emitted from an LED light source in comparison to the product's operating power consumption. Ultimately, the higher the Lumens per Watt, the more energy-efficient an LED light is. Nowadays, it’s common to find LEDs that operate at 100-100 Lumens per Watt, with premium products at 120-130 Lumens per Watt.
Because buying decisions can have a great environmental impact, sign makers should consider this metric when selecting lighting solutions for signage, bars, hotels, and houses alike. Lighting, for example, contributes for one-fifth of global energy consumption, and lit signs are expected to account for 13% of lighting sector profits in the United Kingdom alone. As a result, it's vital that customers assess the solutions that are available, and their environmental impact, before making a purchase.
Why do lumens matter?
Lumens are important as they can clearly indicate the efficiency of a bulb. As lighting technology advances, we're able to produce more efficient light bulbs, which lowers energy consumption and is more beneficial to the environment. Without this measurement, understanding the energy efficiency of light would be far more difficult and make improving upon this nearly impossible. To ensure that the new bulbs designed can achieve a good level of brightness with lower power consumption, we must be able to calculate using lumens.
For the everyday user, knowing the lumen output of a bulb is also extremely important as it allows the customer to choose the right option. If someone is looking to illuminate an entire room, they will need to make sure that the bulb they are buying is capable of delivering the output they require. Similarly, if you're using bulbs outdoors, at a fairground, for example, you will need to know the lumen output to ensure that it will be bright enough to be seen clearly. Using the measurements of lumens, you'll be able to work out the minimum requirement to light up your required area.
Lumens are also important when working out what you'll need for other equipment that requires light, such as a projector. To ensure that the projector shows a bright and crisp picture, you will need to ensure that there is a substantial lumen level to make this happen. To offer some insight into the level of lumens that common light sources emit, we've compiled this list of average lumen levels:
Candle – 14 lumens
100-watt fluorescent light bulb – 1600 lumens. To achieve this from an LED bulb, the bulb could be around 13-16 Watts, depending on how efficient it is.
Lighting on a movie set – 1000 lumens
Sunny day – up to 100,000 lumens
Projector – between 500-10,000 lumens
Our range of products at Vision Lighting
At Vision Lighting, we stock a wide range of lighting products suitable for a variety of applications. Whether you're looking for bulbs or fairground lighting, we've got a great selection for you to choose from. We pride ourselves on being able to cater to a wide range of customers and provide them with high-quality lighting solutions. We even provide accessories to help you perfect your lighting setup or provide you with an essential missing piece of the puzzle.
If you're looking to improve the lighting in your house or workplace but aren't sure exactly how to do it, we're always on hand to help. With products such as our LED strips, you can add stylish, coloured lighting to almost anywhere in a room. With an adhesive back, you can stick the LED lighting strips to any compatible surface, to create a unique and modern lighting option. LED strips work great when placed just out of sight, such as under a desk or work surface, so that the coloured glow is emitted from hidden areas. They can also highlight key areas in the room and add depth, which makes the room feel more spacious.
We also stock LED bulbs that are a modern alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. With these bulbs, you can cut down on energy consumption and reduce your electricity bills as a result. Minimising energy waste is also a great way to do your part for the environment. With technology such as LED bulbs available in today's world, there's simply no need for inefficient, outdated bulbs. Here's an insight into some of the products we stock.
Red LED Strip Light, 5 Metre Reel - 24W IP67 12V
This LED strip is capable of reaching up to 5 metres; however, if you need it to fit into a tighter space and don't want any overlap, you're able to cut the strip without damaging the light. This allows you to achieve a custom length that will suit your desired application. Whether you're looking to jazz up your kitchen, add mood lighting to a gaming room or create an atmosphere in your living room, these LED lights are a stylish addition to any room.
Outdoor Up and Down Fixed Wall Light - GU10, IP44, Stainless Silver
This outdoor wall light is a great choice to improve the aesthetic of your home. Having an outdoor light can be extremely helpful when navigating the outside of your home in the dark. These lights can also help to improve the security of your home, acting as a deterrent to any trespassers when they see your home is lit up. The benefits of a stainless silver light also mean that during the day when the whole fitting is visible, it looks classy and capable.
Kanlux Rapid LED Bulb - 6.5W, GLS A60, E27
If you haven't upgraded the bulbs in your home to LED bulbs, already, this Kanlux Rapid is a great place to start. With an output of 500 lumens and an energy consumption of only 6.5W, you can enjoy lower electricity costs throughout its lifespan of around 20,000 hours. The colour of this particular light is a bright white, which will give the room it's placed in a crisp, clean brightness.
Fairground Cabochon LED Lights Set - E10 Bulbs, 24V
This LED lights set is perfect for signage, due to its ability to make large lettering stand out during both day and night time. Due to the design of the casing, these lights create a radial effect as the LED light is diffused through the plastic. This allows the bulb to emit light from all angles, covering a wide area of space and catching people's eyes as they pass.
Why choose Vision Lighting?
As a company that takes high quality extremely seriously, we ensure that all design and manufacturing processes are kept in-house so that we can closely monitor the detail of each product. This ensures that we can maintain our extremely high standard and provide products that continually meet expectations. By doing this, we can ensure that our range of LED lights, sign lights, sign frames and other accessories are of the highest quality that they can be.
If you're having trouble finding a particular product or would like to speak to us about our range, then please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on +44 (0) 1132 799745 or email us at info@vision-lighting.co.uk with your message. Alternatively, you can use the contact form on our website. A member of our dedicated customer service team will respond to you as soon as possible to provide you with the help and support you require. We are located in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but are able to service customers from cities across the UK including London, Manchester and Southampton. You'll also be able to find directions to our location via our website.