How often do you think about your light bulbs?
Is it only when you have to change them?
You might not think of your lightbulbs very often, but it’s important to know how much they can affect your home- which is why we love using LED lights.
But, what kind of benefits can they have on your home?
The average American household will save anywhere from $175 to $250 by switching from incandescent to LED lights. Lighting costs compose around 15% of a home’s electricity usage, and with the efficiency of LED lights, you can drive that cost far down to save money.
Can you predict how much your LED lights will save you, or do you have to learn by taking a chance?
How is it that LED lights can save you so much money?
Is there any reason to keep your incandescent lights?
Read on to learn about how LED lights can help you save money on your home in ways that you never imagined.
Energy efficiency has never seemed more attainable!
Table of Contents
What Is An LED Light?
LED stands for a light-emitting diode, and LED light bulbs are one of the most popular names in home lighting right now.
These bulbs have even managed to overtake traditional incandescent bulbs in popularity in some places.
LED light bulbs feature a composition of many small diodes, each contributing a small portion to the light’s greater size.
With the many small diodes of LED lights, certain “smart lights” can pair with apps or home hubs to display a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Certain LED lights can even steadily shift between colors in real time.
Do LED Lights Save Money?
To put it simply- yes, LED lights will save you money.
An LED light can save you as much as $300 per year on energy costs in optimal conditions.
We love our LED lights, but we know that products vary.
As such, if you want to save as much money as possible, you must make a more costly initial investment.
Higher-quality LED bulbs are often more efficient and longer lasting.
Therefore, these bulbs can save you more money over a more substantial period.
However, you don’t have to take our word for it.
You can easily calculate your savings by either taking the average amount of money saved or plugging your home’s statistics into the equation.
How Much The Average Home Saves On Lighting Costs
Ultimately, there is a fairly simple equation to determine just how much money you can save by switching to LED lighting.
All you need to solve it is a basic knowledge of high school math, though we’ve found that a calculator will also do the job just as well.
You will have to use this equation twice to compare both your incandescent and LED costs.
First, multiply your number of bulbs by their hours of daily use.
Multiply that number by 365.
Find your bulb’s wattage and divide it by 1000.
Multiply this number by the one you found in the prior step.
Next, multiply that by your average yearly electricity rate.
You should receive a fairly accurate representation of how much money you can save by switching to LED lights!
Why Do LED Lights Save Money?
LED lights don’t save you money via magic.
LED lights are notably efficient, with several factors contributing to this efficiency and saving you money in the long run.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes LED lights so special.
Directional Lighting Source
LED lights feature directional lighting.
Directional lighting helps increase a lightbulb’s efficiency, aiming the light from your bulb exactly where you want it to go.
Incandescent bulbs emit light equally in any direction they can reach, making them excellent for mood lighting but less intense as a lighting source.
Emitting Less Heat
Incandescent bulbs work by heating their filament, and as such, they emit heat.
However, LED lights do not emit heat.
Experts estimate that incandescent bulbs utilize anywhere from 80% to 90% of their power generating heat instead of light.
With LED bulbs, all of this excess power goes to light production.
Longer Lifespan
LED lights last longer than their incandescent counterparts, with some models lasting over five years with proper usage.
With an extended lifespan, LED lights ensure that you do not have to spend money constantly replacing your lightbulbs and provide you with more savings!
In Summary
Ultimately, yes.
LED lights can save you plenty of money on your home.
Once you buy an LED light, you may never want to go back to incandescent bulbs again.
However, there is something to be wary of; many LED lights cost far more to purchase than their incandescent counterparts.
You may save money in the long run, but it requires a strong initial investment.
If you are ready to leap into LED lighting, congratulate yourself; you have made a major first step in improving the cost efficiency of your home!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Incandescent Bulbs Have Any Benefits Over LED Bulbs?
Ultimately, incandescent bulbs do have benefits over their LED counterparts.
However, these benefits are often offset by the quality of LED bulbs.
While we prefer the durability, efficiency, and color of LED bulbs, we think it’s only fair to list the benefits incandescent bulbs have and let you decide for yourself.
- Incandescent bulbs emit all colors of the light spectrum, giving a unique appearance
- Incandescent bulbs have a cheaper initial cost
- Higher-quality incandescent bulbs may be far brighter than their LED counterparts
- Incandescent bulbs can provide particular levels of heat in cold environments
Ultimately, we think that the bonuses of LED lights are far stronger than those of incandescent bulbs, but you have the final choice on what to put in your home.
Should I Worry About Mercury Poisoning In My LED Bulbs?
Many consumers know that incandescent bulbs contain levels of mercury, and rightfully may feel concerned about using these bulbs in their homes.
Thankfully, LED bulbs do not feature the same mercury composition as incandescent bulbs.
If you switch to LED lighting, you not only save money but allow yourself to maintain a healthier and happier household!
