You bought a new lamp for your house and need a light bulb for it. According to Payless Power, lighting your home impacts a fourth of your total electric bills. What types of light bulbs are the most efficient? There are several factors, such as brightness, life span, and cost, to consider. Let’s compare LED vs CFL bulbs to figure out what will be most beneficial for you.
LED vs CFL
Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs were invented to replace incandescent bulbs. They use about a third of the amount of electricity that incandescent bulbs use, and their lifespan is 10 to 15 times longer. CFL bulbs have a lifespan of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 hours, which means they will be replaced less frequently.
CFL bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but they last longer and will increase your savings on your energy bills.
CFL bulbs contain mercury, which is toxic and can be dangerous to your health. Health problems associated with CFL bulbs include headaches and migraines, fatigue, increased anxiety, seizures, loss of concentration, and sleep disorders.
Additionally, there is a concern because CFL bulbs discharge UV-B and bits of UV-C radiation. To properly dispose of a CFL bulb, you should contact your local water management.
Light Emitting Diodes (LED) bulbs create light when an electric current passes through the bulbs. They are available in the visible, ultra-violet, and infrared spectrums for multiple purposes inside and outside the home.
LED or CFL bulbs will also reduce carbon emissions compared to older light bulbs.
Other types of Light Bulbs
Incandescent bulbs are less efficient than CFL bulbs or LED bulbs because most of the energy they produce is heat rather than light. Incandescent bulbs are lit by heating a wire tungsten filament until they start to glow.
Furthermore, an incandescent bulb generally has a lifespan of approximately 1,500 hours, which is much shorter than the lifespan of a CFL or LED bulb.
Benefits of LED Lighting
The average lifespan of LED bulbs is 25,000 hours, but they can last up to 50,000 hours. They are also more durable than CFL bulbs. LEDs can withstand extreme temperatures, and they do not contain toxic mercury.
In the long run, LED bulbs are cheaper than CFL bulbs. Although LED bulbs have a higher initial expense, they will save you money because they need to be replaced less often.
LED bulbs also have less wasted energy than incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs because they do not produce most of their energy in heat.
Switching to LED lights
LED lights are a great investment — financially and environmentally. LED bulbs produce less heat and use less energy.
When replacing your older bulbs with LED bulbs, choose Energy Star certified products because they offer a “Lighting Facts” label with information about energy cost, appearance, and brightness. There are also government-backed rebates for some of the Energy Star products.
If you need help with interior and exterior LED lighting, White Electric is available. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
