Helpful Tip: Upgrading Lightbulbs
Dr. Energy Saver of Connecticut are home energy experts. We offer several insulation and home energy improvement services and can offer light bulb upgrades as an adjunct to these other services. It is important to learn why upgrading your light bulbs is so effective in making your home more energy efficient!
Upgrade your light bulbs – Replacing your old lightbulbs with LED’s or CFL’s can help you save electricity in your home! These not only last longer than your typical florescent or halogen bulbs, but they burn at a lower temperature which can help you save big on your electricity bill.
First, let’s talk about what is wrong with incandescent lighting. It turns out, when kept on for long periods of time, these bulbs produce 90% of waisted energy as they radiate unwanted heat into your home. It’s a difference between 380 degrees F using incandescent lighting versus only 130 degrees with LED’s. Even in the winter, this heat is a nuisance, as electrical heat costs much more than typical heating fuel.
LED’s, or light emitting diode bulbs, do not need to be replaced often, lasting up to 50,000 hours with 135 lumens/watts, and are incredibly rugged because they are made of a solid material and are not sensitive to lower temperatures. They light up instantly whether at room temperature or subzero weather outside. A benefit to LED’s is they are perfect for a bathroom or closet where you would need light instantly and come at various color temperatures that do not wash out colors, meaning they are also well suited for displays and in retail. They also consume up to 90% less power than most incandescent light bulbs! That’s a huge decrease in power costs.
CFL’s, standing for compact fluorescent lamp bulbs, on the other hand do not last as long, clocking in 8,000-10,000 hours before they start to dim, and they do require an amount of time to warm up once they are turned on in order to reach their light potential, especially in lower temperatures. This can be incredibly beneficial as an outdoor light that turns on at sundown or any other room needing to be lit as the sun goes down but may not require light as quickly as a bathroom or closet. But it is important to note they are not compatible with a dimmer light switch, while most LED’s are dimmer compatible.
What is incredibly important to acknowledge is the impact these
lightbulbs have on our environment. While CFL’s use 25-35% of the energy used by incandescent lighting, LED’s operate with 75% less electricity and Energy.gov pred
icts that by 2027 widespread use of LED’s can save the equivalent of the annual electrical output of 44 electric power plants. That’s $30 billion worth at today’s electricity prices…so if you don’t think upgrading your lightbulbs are worth it in your own home, consider their impact on the environment.
The reason many homeowners opt for CFL’s over LED’s is they are a low-cost alternative, but just like how paying for increased home comfort through Dr. Energy Saver of Connecticut pays for itself as an investment, LED’s will bring you higher cumulative savings over time. If you are interested in making your home more energy efficient, an expert at Dr. Energy Saver of Connecticut can discuss solutions, including lighting alternatives we have available.
Interested in learning more about the exact mathematical breakdown for your future savings? Watch this informative video as Larry Janesky, owner and president of Dr. Energy Saver does the math:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=hMb8FFjM02k
Schedule your free, no-obligation estimate by clicking the link below or call at 1-800-328-1081.
