MidAmerican Energy is happy to power a brighter and more efficient tomorrow. And, with the phasing out of incandescent and halogen lightbulbs, we want to remind you of the most effective lighting to use so you can conserve energy and save money!

Why should I choose ENERGY STAR® lighting?

ENERGY STAR certified LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, which make them suitable for almost any lighting need – whether in your home or at the office. In fact, according to ENERGY STAR, swapping out just one incandescent light for an ENERGY STAR certified LED could save you up to $80 in electric costs over the lifetime of the bulb. And, just think how much you could save if you changed all of your lightbulbs to LEDs!

In addition to the huge savings for your wallet, when compared to traditional incandescent lightbulbs, ENERGY STAR certified LEDs:

• Use 75% less energy
• Last up to 25 times longer
• Have a more durable exterior
• Stay cooler, reducing risk of combustion or burning

How do I make the switch to LED?
If you don’t know what to look for, replacing your bulbs could become a frustrating challenge. Size, shape, brightness, color and dimming abilities all play a part in deciding the bulb that is best for you. See the charts below to understand how to make the switch to LED with as little hassle as possible.

How much light?
For brightness, look for lumens, not watts. Lumens indicate light output whereas watts indicate energy consumed. ENERGY STAR bulbs provide the same brightness with less energy. Refer to the table below to help find the right brightness.

Standard Bulbs (Watts)	ENERGY STAR Bulb Brightness (Minimum Lumens)
40	450
60	800
75	1,100
100	1,600
150	2,600

Which color?
Depending on where it is used, there are different color temperatures, from warm white to daylight. The exact value is measured in Kelvin (K). Starting at around 2200K, a warm or soft white color is ideal for most indoor applications. In the middle of the color spectrum, neutral or cool white is great for kitchens and workspaces. Finally, a daylight color at the coolest level of 6500K is optimum for reading.

Want to dim your lights?
Dimmable LED lights do exist! However, you may have to get an LED-compatible dimmer to accommodate the new bulbs. When you buy LED lightbulbs, make sure that they have the dimmable logo on the box or state that they are dimmable.