LED light bulbs use a fraction of the energy of traditional light bulbs and they last much longer. The tradeoff is they cost more up front to replace all the bulbs in your home. How do you know if switching to LED bulbs will be with the investment? Let’s take a look at a few key points to consider.
Cost
LED light bulbs typically cost around $8 each. When compared to incandescent bulbs which only cost about $1-$2 each, the difference is significant. However, when you consider each bulbs’ average lifespan, the upfront cost becomes a smaller price to pay in the long run.
Average Lifespan
The average lifespan of an LED light bulb is 25,000 to 50,000 hours of light. That is a lot longer than the 5,000 hour lifespan of an incandescent bulb. While you might only pay $1-$2 for the incandescent bulb right now, you will need to replace it again in a year when it burns out. If you use the light bulb for three hours a day, over the course of 23 years, you will pay $8 for one LED light bulb, or $23 for new incandescent bulbs every year. Now which one costs more?
Energy Efficiency
LED light bulbs use a fraction of the energy when compared with incandescent bulbs. Consider that a standard incandescent bulb uses 60 watts, while a standard LED bulb uses only 10 watts. If you took the average lifespan of the LED bulb at the average price of $0.12 per kilowatt, you would spend $30 to run it, while the incandescent bulb would cost $180.
In 2020, incandescent light bulbs are set to be a thing of the past. A ban will go into effect, basically removing them from store shelves. If you can’t afford the upfront cost of replacing your light bulbs all at once, start small and replace a few at a time. When an incandescent bulb burns out, replace it with a more efficient LED bulb. If you start now, by the time 2020 rolls around, you will have replaced all of the bulbs in your home.
If you need advice on the best lighting for your home or are looking for an electrical revamp to ensure you get the best energy efficiency, talk to one of the pros at Winters Electric.
