When it comes to buying light bulbs, there’s always that one big question “which light bulb type should you go for?
With the many options of light bulbs on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose which light bulb works for you, especially if you are running on a tight budget. The truth is that the 21st-century shopper is faced with what appears to be infinite options while we’re shopping for new lightbulbs in the market.
So, it is essential to know what you are looking out for before choosing the light bulb to buy.
However, do you know that there are some lightbulbs that do help to reduce your electric bills? Oh, do you even know that some light bulbs are created to be more environmentally friendly than others? Well, it’s high time you started making the right decisions about the lightbulbs you go for and, of course, you’ll benefit greatly when you’re conscious of what is right.
Your Options When It Comes to Light Bulbs
There are three common types of light bulbs.
- Incandescent bulbs
- Compact fluorescent lightbulbs
- LEDs
Let’s briefly run through these three types of lightbulbs.
Incandescent Bulbs
These bulbs don’t last very long and they’re not energy-efficient. Most of us grew up with this kind of bulb. They’re typically old-fashioned and are a cost-effective alternative to other bulb types.
Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs)
When one thinks of energy-efficient bulbs, the images of these “spiral” bulbs are what tends to pop in our minds. These types of bulbs are a great option if you are big on saving energy.
LEDs
Maintaining the look and feel of an incandescent bulb, these kinds of bulbs are known to be very energy-efficient.
Between these three kinds of light bulbs, it’s advised that you fix your mind on LED bulbs because there’s a different amount of energy required by LED bulbs, CFL, and Incandescent.
There are several reasons why choosing LED Light Bulbs is an excellent move.
Do LEDs Save Energy?
When choosing light bulbs, one of the most important things many people consider is the energy-saving option. You want a light bulb that helps you shave off some extra bucks off your electricity bills, and LED bulbs are the right kind of bulbs for the job. LED bulbs are tiny semiconductors (diodes) and compared to filament light, they’re much more efficient and power-wise.
The bottom line is that regular light bulbs use up way more energy than LEDs. Compared to an incandescent bulb with a 50-watt capacity, LED flood lamps to create the same light output without using more than 11 to 12 watts.
LEDs use more than 75% less energy compared to regular light bulbs. Aside from the intriguing energy, a regular bulb cannot last as long as LEDs can.
Can I Save Money With LEDs?
Aha – the one question that’s probably been on your mind since you read the first sentence in this post. Yes, you can save money with LEDs. In fact, you can save more. If you don’t mind paying the higher price for LEDs since you’re aware that LEDs save energy, you’ll benefit greatly in the long run with your LEDs.
There’s actually no back and forth about this. The basic calculation is that you stand to pay higher electricity costs when you’re using regular light bulbs like incandescent bulbs but with LEDs, you’ll enjoy paying way less. Oh – and one more important thing; always recycle bulbs and avoid throwing them away improperly.
Incandescent Bulbs
These bulbs don’t last very long and they’re not energy-efficient. Most of us grew up with this kind of bulb. They’re typically old-fashioned and are a cost-effective alternative to other bulb types.
CFL Bulb
You can incur energy costs of $32.40 if, over the year, you use only 216 kWh of energy by using a 25-watt CFL bulb, which is also the equivalent of the brightness of the capacity of the first regular bulb mentioned. Additionally, you may as well have to prepare for the possibility of replacing the bulb twice, which will, of course, add to the cost.
LED
To start with, one LED would last the whole year and you don’t have to worry about getting another one. And, the electricity cost would be just $21 if, over the year, you use only 140 kWh of energy, which is as well the brightness of a 100-watt incandescent bulb but it’s just a LED 16-watt bulb doing the trick.
Do you get the logic now? LED bulbs do help you save some bucks and it’s advisable that you go now and start making a difference. While you plan on starting to replace your regular light bulbs, it’s worthy to point out that based on the cost of your community, there’s likely to be a slight variance in the numbers.
What Should I Do With My Old Regular Bulbs After Replacing Them With LEDs?
A lot of the time, many people do not know how to handle their old regular light bulbs. Some people might just toss them in the bin, or even worse – dispose of them improperly.
The best option is to take your old lightbulbs to your local hazardous waste center. Note that parts of the bulb can be reused.
So, here’s the bottom line when it comes to LEDs:
- LEDs help you save money
- LEDs save energy
- LEDs are a more efficient option than regular bulbs
- LEDs last longer than regular bulbs
LED lighting does offer several advantages, from its long lifespan and energy efficiency to improved environmental performance, design flexibility, and no heat or UV emissions. The point is that you can’t downplay how significant LED bulbs are.
And, if you’ve been longing to reduce your energy usage and costs, LED lightning might be the simple solution you need. So, the next time you go shopping for light bulbs, you should consider choosing LED bulbs. LED bulbs are a worthy investment, and you’ll be glad you choose these light bulb types over regular bulbs. Call the experts at Phyxter Electrical Services to determine if they service your area.
