Energy Saving Light Bulbs: LEDs versus CFLs
One of the easiest ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home or business is with energy saving light bulbs.
When it comes to energy saving light bulbs, you have two options. The first, and most popular option, is LED bulbs. LED bulbs are long, compact, and extremely energy efficient. On the flip side, you have CFL bulbs. These bulbs are curly shaped and project near identical light compared to incandescent bulbs. Each bulb option has it’s pros and cons, but overall they both promote energy efficiency. Below we will lay out the important features of each bulb as well as what a lumen is.
If you’re in the market for energy saving light bulbs, LED bulbs may be the right choice for you.
There is a long list of benefits that you will reap when you switch your lighting over from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs. First, your energy efficiency will increase by a whooping 75%! Even better, your new energy saving light bulbs have a lifespan of up to 25 years. LED bulbs are known for being both mercury free and highly durable. This means that they are safe and also won’t succumb to typical wear and tear. While the cost to switch from incandescent to LED is a little more expensive from the get go, you will end up saving more money in the long run.
Another option for energy saving light bulbs is the CFL bulb.
One huge benefit of CFL bulbs are their flexibility. These bulbs can easily be placed anywhere where incandescent bulbs have previously been used. The bulb itself operates via a ultraviolet light+heat process, so it can take up to 3 minutes for bulbs to become fully lit. In addition, CFL bulbs do contain trace amounts of mercury. So, you will need to be careful when replacing and installing them. While CFL bulbs are 35% more efficient than incandescent bulbs, they fall second in energy efficiency compared to LED bulbs. They have a maximum lifespan of only 10 years, which can be significantly diminished if lights are constantly being turned on and off.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when investing in energy saving light bulbs.
First, these bulbs are sold and marketed based on lumens rather than the traditional watts of incandescent bulbs. Lumen is just a fancy word for how much light the bulb gives off. The higher the lumens in a bulb the more light it gives off. There is also the potential for higher energy efficiency as well, dependent on your lighting needs. So, how do you convert from watts to lumens? Well, a 40 watt bulb can be replaced with a 450 lumen bulb, and a 100 watt bulb requires a 1600 lumen bulb. Lastly, your individual energy savings will be dependent on what wattage of bulbs you use now, and the number of bulbs in your home.