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Energy Savings with LED Light Bulbs (and a Giveaway!)
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I’ve long been a fan of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs because of the energy savings. They are more expensive than incandescent light bulbs but they use up far less electricity. The two biggest complaints I have with CFL bulbs is that their lifespan is significantly reduced if they are turned on and off too often and that there is mercury inside them, making disposal a little more of a hassle.
Those problems are addressed with LED bulbs. LED bulbs use less power than incandescent bulbs, last up to 100,000 hours (That’s 17.1 years based on 8 hours of use a day), and have no glass, filaments, UV light, or mercury. One interesting fact I learned was that LED bulbs rarely burn out, they simply fade over time. The lifetime measure is based on when the bulb loses 30% of its lumen depreciation. Another interesting fact is that LEDs don’t have a filament, so they don’t really “burn out.” If you drop an incandescent bulb and break the filament, it’s done.
How expensive are LED bulbs?
A quick look on Home Depot shows that it can start at around $18 and get as high as $300 (For an Accent LED Par38 Flood bulb). It’s pricier than both CFLs and incandescent bulbs, but it lasts longer and has the potential to save you more money over the long haul.
Giveaway!
As promised, we are having a giveaway. Home Depot has generously provided four prizes for four lucky Bargaineering.com readers. Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts about LED light bulbs, what is appealing about them, and I’ll select four lucky winners to win one of the following:
- 3 winners to receive 1 EcoSmart A19 bulb,
- 1 grand prize winner to receive a $200 Home Depot gift card to re-fit their home with EcoSmart bulbs.
Contest is void where prohibited and I will select the winners at noon on November 3rd. Good luck!
The contest is now closed and the winners have been notified, thanks for entering!
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I’ve used cfl’s for a few years now. I don’t see switching to led’s anytime soon. Price has to come wayyyy down for me.
This is much nicer design than the usual spiral shape. I will definitely prefer those in my flat.
I tried to switch to CFL’s but found that they’re just not as bright as incandescent bulbs (or at least they weren’t several years ago). There’s no point in me installing CFL’s everywhere if I have to turn on more lights to get the same illumination! Hopefully LED lights sidestep this problem.
I saw an advertisement for LED bulbs and was immediately intrigued. I would like to give them a try.
I’m curious to see the difference in the type of light the LEDs output as opposed to CFL and incandescent bulbs…I did change out to CFL bulbs but felt that the light had a “colder” hue than the “warmer” incandescents. I hope that some of the LED options are able to recreate that warm look.
I just thought I would say that this post is by far one of the ones with the most comments. LOL
What’s the best LED brand out there with the most natural-looking light?
i have never used LED light bulb will be happy if get one but have had about it alot
Just saw the advertisement for LED bulbs.And I would like to give them a try.
LED are like any other investment, spend now for payback over time. If their reliability is better than CFL (which is already pretty good), take the plunge.
With LED’s losing their brightness over a period of time…..how long can i expect a reasonable light?
Love the LED light bulbs, would love to win…..love to shop at Home Depot…..
How come LED’s are soooooooooo expensive when the LED itself is very cheap?
Have not yet enquired about it. Although aware that it is in the market.
I have seen the ad of LED bulbs somewhere else, still don’t know what it is. Would have a try if possible.
It seems that the LED ones have a great advantage over the normal bulbs, worth to have a try!!
Are there LED plant grow lights?
I’ve got two questions – 1) how much do you save compared to CFL bulb use and 2) Can they be used in dimmer sockets?
Interesting concept. I think more research could be done to improve LEDs and that the average consumer doesn’t think as long-term as 17 years when weighing the cost of bulbs.
Until I read your article I was not at all familiar with LED bulbs which I do understand are the next big think in industrial use as well for all the reasons mentioned.
Thanks!
Jim
I have already started using these bulbs …..save energy…look better.
I’ve tried using these bulbs in my apartment but they burn out after a few “switch ons”. I wonder if this could be caused by the antique electrical wiring in my apartment…Regular bulbs last a normal amount of time. Has anyone ever heard of something like this?
Dear Lina; Hi, Yes I’ve been “Wondering” about the so called Touted C.F.L’s.,seem’s I’ve been going through them QUICKER than the so called “CLAIM” that “They” last for Year’s,AND in FACT last about a Year IF NOT less? I am constantly Replacing them at an expensive cost,MAKE’S Me want to go back to the Old Style Bulb!!! No lie!!SCREW them C.F.L.’s!!!20.00 a Bulb??HELL NO!!
how luminescent are they? Incandescent bulbs do a great job of spreading light in a room and CFLs not so much.
LED light bulbs are great because they save on energy costs and are a lot brighter.
I use mostly cfl’s in my house, but I still use the flame shaped incandescent bulbs for my chandelier, cfl’s are just too expensive at this time. I may consider led’s and I will look for them in flame shape. I also use led’s for my night lights, with the auto on off, love them! I have them everywhere. I also have battery powered led candles, and I use cfl’s for accent lighting too.