Every lamp carries an energy label with a letter from A to G. You'd think you should always go for A, but most good LED lamps are rated D, E or F. How come? In this guide I explain how the energy label for lamps works, what it tells you and what to look out for.
In short
- Scale: since 2021 the label runs from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
- Why no A? The scale was made so strict that almost no lamp reaches an A. So an E lamp isn't bad.
- Compare: look at lumens and watts as well as the label, and you'll see how efficient the lamp really is.
- Efficient: an LED uses roughly 85 to 90% less power than an incandescent bulb.
Jump straight to:
Reading the energy label on lamps
The letters A to G
Since 1 March 2021 the EU has used a new scale for lamps, without the old plus signs (A++ and A+). A is the most efficient, G the least. The letter is determined by how much light (lumens) a lamp gives per watt of power.
Consumption per 1000 hours
The label also shows consumption in kWh per 1000 hours of use. Handy for comparing two lamps, because it shows roughly what they cost over a year.
QR code and product info
The QR code on the label or packaging leads to the official EU product database (EPREL) with all the details of the lamp. That way you can check for yourself whether the stated values are correct.
Why do good LED lamps get an E or F?
When the scale was recalibrated in 2021 it was set so strictly that the most efficient class (A) only starts at around 210 lumens per watt. Almost no ordinary lamp reaches that. This leaves room to show future improvements. As a result, a perfectly good LED lamp with around 100 to 130 lumens per watt ends up at E or F.
How to compare lamps fairly
Only compare lamps with the same lumens and light colour. An 800-lumen lamp at 6 watts is more efficient than an 800-lumen lamp at 9 watts. You can read how the unit works in What is a lumen?.
The label doesn't tell the whole story
The label is about efficiency, not colour rendering, dimming or lifespan. Also look at CRI, light colour and warranty. You'll find more terms in the LED alphabet.
What do you save with an efficient lamp?
Worked example
A 60-watt incandescent bulb that burns 3 hours a day uses about 66 kWh a year. A 6-watt LED with the same brightness uses roughly 7 kWh. That's a saving of about 59 kWh. At an electricity price of 0.30 euros per kWh (an assumption, your rate may differ) that's well over 17 euros a year, per lamp. More comparisons are in LED vs incandescent, halogen and CFL.
CFLs and fluorescent tubes
Since 2023 most CFLs and fluorescent tubes containing mercury may no longer be sold in the EU. Replacing them with LED is therefore usually the logical step, see Replacing fluorescent tubes with LED. Have a look at our LED tubes and LED spots.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the energy label on a lamp mean?
Why doesn't my LED lamp have an A label?
Is a lamp with an E label bad?
Where do I find the energy label of a lamp?
Do I need to replace my old CFLs?
Kind regards,
Bas / LEDPLANET.NL