Low Wattage Light Bulbs
Introduction
This article looks at what is the lowest wattage light bulb.
Light bulbs come in all shapes and sizes. Basically going from tiny pencil torch bulbs up to high-intensity discharge lamps used in lighthouses. In this article we look at what is the lowest wattage standard bulb. Specifically we will look at bulbs that have E26 (1 inch) or E12 (1/2 inch) Edison screw bases.
Firstly we look at what wattage actual means versus the light a bulb produces. Secondly we discuss what wattage means in terms of the type of light bulb. Furthermore we look at what areas use low wattage bulbs. Finally we pick out what is the lowest wattage light bulbs.
Wattage Versus Lumens
When considering what is the lowest wattage light bulb the first thing to remember is that wattage is a measure of power not light. Wattage is defined as the voltage a device uses multiplied by the current. Given that here in the United States we have a 110 volt power supply a 60 watt light bulb would use 60 watt divided by 110 volts giving 6/11 (or 0.55) amps. Furthermore, we pay for electricity by the kilowatt hours (thousand watts per hour). Thus, the more watts a light bulb uses the more it costs to run.
Lumens is the measure of how much light the bulb gives off. In fact most light bulb packaging now shows the lumens provided. In order to give you some idea of the lumen output the table shows some standard light outputs.
The actual and equivalent wattages for a few bulbs from GE are shown below. Even though 150W and 200W equivalents produce different amounts of light they use the same actual wattage according to the manufacturer.
Equivalent Wattage | Acutal Wattage | Lumens |
60 Watt | 9 Watt | 760 |
100 Watt | 13.5 Watt | 1600 |
150 Watt | 23 Watt | 2610 |
200 Watt | 23 Watt | 3010 |
Light bulbs have become more efficient. In consequence, we have lower wattage bulbs that give off the same amount of light as older less efficient one. So an old 60W incandescent bulb might provide 615 lumens and a new efficient LED 9 watt bulb (which the maker says is equivalent to an old 60W bulb) provided 760 lumens.
Wattage usage in incandescent, Halogens, CFLs and LEDs
There are four main technologies used in the light bulbs we buy in our stores.
Incandescent – These are the old style light bulbs with a wire filament. When a current passes through it the filament glows brightly generating light. They waste a lot of power generating heat rather than light, making them very inefficient.
Halogens – Like incandescents halogen bulbs have a filament that glows when a current passes through it. The difference being that the element surrounding the filament contains only halogen gas. The gas increase the light produced and also extends the life of the filament.
Compact Fluorescents – or CFLs are fluorescent tubes, like the ones used in offices and stores. The manufacturing process folds the tubes into a compact shape so that they fit in a normal light bulb socket. Light is release when a current passes through the mercury vapor within the sealed tube.
LEDs – Light Emitting Diodes are small pieces of semiconductor that emit a light when a current passes through them. Within an LED light bulb there are 3 separate LEDs, one red, one blue and one green. These three different colors of light combine to produce a white light.
What Wattage Do They Use?
Incandescents are the least efficient with 90 to 95 percent of their energy converting to heat rather than light. Even though there are low wattage incandescents, for example night lights, they tends to use between 4 and 7 watts.
Halogens are more efficient than incandescents. That said, they produce a very white light which is not conducive to night lighting. Thus they don’t tend to be used in low wattage lighting.
Compact fluorescents are considerably more efficient. However the folding nature of the bulb makes them quite large and not really suitable for low level needs.
Finally LEDs are the most efficient still and are also produced in smaller sizes. Although they tend to be more expensive their much longer lifetime makes up for this.
What is the Lowest Wattage Light bulb Used For?
Seeing that lowest wattage light bulbs provide a limited amount of illumination they are normally used in situations where only limits light is needed. That is to say night lights in hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens for night time safety. Also, in higher traffic areas that don’t get enough light.
Night light bulbs tend to come with the smaller E12 Edison screw base (12mm or 1/2inch). For the most part the have a C7 shape (C meaning cone and 7 is 7/8th inch diameter).
Additionally we should include decorative bulbs. Used in chandeliers, sconces, fixtures where the bulb is visible. Given that these fixtures take multiple bulbs these small wattages can add up. Not to mention string light which take lots of little low wattage lights.
Finally those small appliance light than come on in our fridge and freezer do not need to be high wattage.
What is the Lowest Wattage bulb?
In summary there are quite a few uses for low wattage light bulbs and quite a lot of them available. Because LEDs produce much more light for the same wattage it is not surprising that the lowest wattage bulbs usable are also LEDs. Checking through the standard suppliers (Lowes, Amazon, Home Depot) we find that the lowest wattage standard bulb is actually 1W.
As an illustration we have picked out 3 one-wattage bulbs giving you an idea of what they are used for, how much they cost and how much light they produce.
GE 1 Watt String Light LED
Not only have GE been in business since 1892 but they are also the most popular brand here in the U.S. So it is not surprising to find their bulbs on our low wattage list. So a few facts about this 1W wonder. Firstly they come with the mediums size E26 (1″ wide) screw base. Secondly they are rated to last 15,000 hours and have a five year warranty to back this up. Thirdly they produce a remarkable amount of warm white light at 60 lumens. Finally they have a great look. We really like the vintage filament and clear glass. In conclusion a whole lot for $2 a bulb.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $2.00 a bulb if bought in a 10 pack
- Wattage: 1 watts actual
- Lumens: 60
- Light Range: Warm white (2700k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Sunlite 1 Watt String Light LED
Sunlite are one of the leading lighting manufacturers in the United States operating since 1980. Further, their company headquarters are in Brooklyn, New York. These 1 watt string lights produce a fairly hefty 50 lumens of light for their low power input. Although they are slightly more expensive than the GE bulbs they do have a long life and excellent on-line rating. Moreover, they can be bought in either frosted (as shown) or clear.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $3.50 a bulb if bought in a 6-pack
- Wattage: 1 watts actual
- Lumens: 50
- Light Range: Warm white (2700k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
GE 1 Watt Flicker Flame Bulb
Finally we bring you this 1 watt flickering flame chandelier bulb from GE. To illustrate what one wattage light bulbs are used for more than as a recommendation. As can be seen from the fact sheet below these little beauties cost $8.50 each and only produce 10 lumens. Therefore you are going to need quite a few to light up anything larger than a broom cupboard. Bring your calculator and your wallet. Then again they do look great and GE promises they simulate dancing warm candle light. So if money is no object then fill your candelabra with these yellow flickering marvels.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $8.50 a bulb if individually
- Wattage: 1 watts actual
- Lumens: 10
- Light Range: Candle light (1600k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only