One of the best ways to save money and conserve energy is by ditching your incandescent light bulbs. There are many reasons that LED bulbs are better to use. Both for your pocketbook and for the planet, LED light bulbs offer many benefits. If you’re having trouble deciding whether or not to make the switch, reviewing a few of the advantages that LED light bulbs have over incandescent light bulbs can help you make up your mind.
- More Energy Efficient
The most obvious reason to switch to LED light bulbs is that they’re more energy efficient. In fact, they use up to 90% less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, which means you can use less electricity to provide the same level of lighting. Since they can be used to replace light bulbs in any household fixture, you can maximize the energy you’re saving by replacing all of your incandescent bulbs. For many households, this is a big step in reducing their carbon footprint.
- They Last Longer
While LED bulbs do cost more than incandescent light bulbs, you won’t have to replace them nearly as frequently. An incandescent bulb will burn out within a few months, but LED bulbs last up to three years. This means you won’t have to stock up on as many bulbs, which will actually save you money in the long run.
- They’re Less Fragile
You probably know from experience that incandescent light bulbs can get damaged very easily, so you have to be cautious in handling them. This is because they use a filament, which can be easily broken from too much jostling. Conversely, an LED bulb uses a semiconductor, which looks similar to a computer chip, and it’s encased in an epoxy protective layer. This makes LED bulbs sturdier and more reliable.
- They’re Cooler
If you have ever tried to touch an incandescent bulb that has been in use, you know they can get very hot. In fact, they can get hot enough to increase the risks of a fire. LED bulbs don’t get nearly as hot, regardless of how long you use them. By way of comparison, a standard incandescent light bulb generates 85 BTU’s per hour, while an LED bulb will only generate 3.4 BTU’s in an hour.
- Save Money on Utilities
Since you’re using less energy with LED bulbs, it stands to reason that your electric bills will be lower. In fact, companies like GEM Energy recommend switching to LED bulbs as a means of lowering electric bills. Some manufacturers have even started producing smart LED bulbs, which you can control via a mobile phone app. This allows you to control when your lights turn on and when they turn off, providing even greater control over your energy usage.
- They’re Environmentally Friendly
While LED bulbs use less energy and that will reduce the damage we do in terms of addressing global warming, they’re also eco-friendly. Neon lights contain mercury, which is toxic to plant and animal life when it’s exposed. Alternatively, LED bulbs are made from non-toxic substances to ensure they’re safe to use. Since the materials used to manufacture LED bulbs are also recyclable, they’re considered to be a form of renewable energy. Often, this is why switching to LED light bulbs is a common recommendation for households looking for ways to go green.
- Create Safer Colored Lighting
There are many situations in which you may want to add some colored lighting, either for yourself or to entertain others. With incandescent light bulbs, dangerous filters are used to create the effect, resulting in a greater risk of fire. Colored LED lights use a different type of technology that’s much safer, allowing manufacturers to offer a variety of colors, including red, amber, and blue. Additionally, since LED lights remain so much cooler, they don’t pose the same problems.
As you consider these advantages to installing LED bulbs in your home’s light fixtures, also keep in mind that incandescent bulbs may not be available for much longer. As fewer people buy them, there will be a lower demand for traditional bulbs. Switching now will help you stay a step ahead and allow you to embrace a new eco-friendly way of saving on your household’s energy consumption.
