Starting in January 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will require that all medium screw-base light bulbs be packaged with the new Lighting Facts label. The label is designed to help a consumer compare different lighting technologies in terms of light output, energy use, color temperature and lifetime, as well as to identify what, if any, level of mercury the bulb contains.

The Lighting Facts label requirement should mark a shift in the minds of consumers who look at the higher prices of LED lighting products and, while standing in the shopping aisle, can't decide whether the energy savings and payback make it a worthwhile purchase. It may also be an eye opener to some buyers who still don't realize that CFL bulbs contain mercury and should be treated as hazardous waste when being disposed of.

One thing which may play an important role for some buyers, and that the label won't be able to account for, is the cost of replacing hard to get to bulbs in odd locations or high ceilings. Many of our customers are buying LED bulbs for that type of location simply because they are tired of the hassle of frequently pulling the ladder out to replace a bulb.

For more information on what some of these lighting terms like lumens or color temperature mean please visit our LED Frequently Asked Questions page.