Lighting makes up a bigger chunk of the electric bill than many people realize. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that lighting accounts for 5-7% of energy use in the average American household. It’s one of the top four energy uses behind space heating, cooling and water heating.
For those who want to reduce energy use at home and their eco-footprint, LED lighting provides a great opportunity. Light emitting diodes, better known as LEDs, save energy, reduce waste and are a lot cheaper than they were just a few years ago.
Here are 7 reasons why you’ll want to make the switch to LED bulbs.
#1 Reason – LED Are Much More Energy Efficient
LEDs have become popular largely because they are way more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, and better energy efficiency means you save money on electricity. They use 75% less energy, sometimes even more. Switching to LEDs is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency throughout the year.
LEDs Last a Lot Longer
Another huge benefit of LEDs is their longevity. Incandescent bulbs can burn out in just a few years. There are LEDs that last up to four decades. Not only will you get more use out of LED bulbs, but you’ll also generate less waste by buying fewer bulbs.
LEDs Cost Less
When LEDs first hit the home goods store shelves they were a little pricey compared to incandescent bulbs. But that’s just the upfront cost. The much better longevity and energy efficiency meant that even back then LEDs were less expensive in the long run.
Now that LED lights have dropped in price (around 85%) to $2.50-5 per bulb, they are the clear winner in terms of what’s most cost-effective. Buy in bulk and you’ll save even more. Right now, you can find 24-bulb packs on Amazon for $24. Making the switch can save $1,000 over the course of 10 years. In the first year, you’d save the $50 spent on LED bulbs for your entire house. After that, it’s all savings.
LEDs Are More Durable
LEDs don’t just provide light for longer. In general, the construction of LED lights is much more durable than the filaments and tubes used in incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.
They Produce Good Light in Any Color
Forget about the bright white LED lights that were the norm years ago. LEDs now come in all colors and soft white that’s very similar to an incandescent. For example, Phillips’ LEDs options include:
- Warm Glow
- Soft White
- Daylight
- Bright White
- Cool White
There’s a huge range of LED lights to choose from so you can get the right look and set the right tone in any room.
They Generate Less Heat
One of the biggest energy hogs in a home is the air conditioner. In terms of using less energy and saving money, every little thing you can do to use the AC less helps. LEDs help by producing less heat. One or two bulbs won’t make a huge difference, but if all the bulbs in your home are LEDs that can keep the house cooler during summer evenings.
LEDs Contain No Hazardous Material
Once an incandescent or halogen bulb has reached the end of its life, you can’t just toss it in the trash. Those bulbs contain hazardous materials that need to be properly contained. But with LEDs you don’t have to take special steps for disposal because they are free of hazardous waste.
At Verde Energy, we can help you reduce your eco-footprint even more with green energy plans that are powered by clean renewable. Like LED bulbs, going green with a renewable energy plan is more affordable than ever before.
Smart, sustainable, cost-effective – check to see if Verde Energy plans are available in your area!
