Should I Upgrade My Light Bulbs

Should I Upgrade My Light Bulbs

As technology advances, there are so many more options for things than ever before. Light bulbs are one of them. While you may think that CFL bulbs, or compact fluorescent lamps, are the best because they’ve been around the longest, you may want to consider LEDs instead.

LED stands for light-emitting diode, and they can provide several benefits over CFL lights. 

CFL vs. LED

When you’re looking at CFL vs. LED lights, here are just a few of the ways that LEDs reign supreme: 

  • Brightness. While early versions of LEDs weren’t omnidirectional and, therefore, not as bright, that is no longer the case. Technology has changed, and now CFLs don’t necessarily lead the charge with brightness. Current LEDs are more efficient, more competitively priced, and have the availability for omni directionality — which means they can be brighter than CFLs.
  • Cost effectiveness. If you’re price checking at the store, LEDs are certainly more expensive. But LEDs have a much longer lifespan than your typical incandescent or CFL bulbs. Incandescent bulbs may be the least expensive option, but they may only last as long as 1,200 hours. LEDs, however, see an average lifespan of 25,000 hours. You’d need about 21 incandescent bulbs to match that.  
  • Wattage. It’s just a plain fact that LEDs require less wattage than incandescent or CFL bulbs. This means LEDs are more energy efficient, have a longer lifespan, and are more cost effective. The lower the wattage required for a bulb to work, the lower your energy costs. It’s as simple as that. 

LEDs of the past aren’t what they are today. More technology available means that there have been significant improvements in design and production. LEDs are now more affordable, more dependable, and more cost effective. While that upfront cost may be concerning initially, the overall lifetime savings will be huge, and you’ll notice it in your utility bill right away. If you need help making the switch, contact the team at Electrical Insight today.