Energy Efficient Lights: Do They Really Save You Money?

The first light bulb made its debut in October of 1879. Invented by Thomas Edison, this first bulb was a dim incandescent light bulb and could only last about 14 hours before it would burn out. But ever since Edison presented his very first light bulb to the world, scientists have been looking for ways to make light bulbs last longer, shine brighter and cost less for the consumer.

Today, we have the options of CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs and LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs, which are otherwise known as energy efficient light bulbs. Compared to the traditional incandescent light bulb, energy efficient light bulbs use less energy and last longer.

How much do they cost?

When energy efficient light bulbs were first introduced to the market, the cost to buy one was astronomical. On average, one LED light bulb could cost more than $100! If you were looking at specialty lighting, like recessed lighting installation in Stanislaus County, CA, the cost was even higher. However, thanks to incentives from the government, companies have found ways to make energy efficient bulbs more affordable. Today, a cheap, 60-watt-equivalent LED light bulb will cost you less than $5. Energy efficient light bulbs have always used less energy and lasted longer, but they have not always been accessible to the average household. Now that they are more affordable, the government hopes to completely phase out incandescent light bulbs by 2020.

How much money will it save you?

If every household switched just one bulb to an energy efficient bulb, the combined annual savings would be over $600 million. Simply put, the less energy you use the more money you’ll save. The question is, how much will you save? Your savings will depend on the quality of the energy efficient bulb you decide to purchase. However, let’s take a look at the numbers:

• Incandescent light bulb: An incandescent light bulb has a lifespan of about 1,200 to 2,500 hours and uses about 600 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
• CFL light bulb: A CFL has a lifespan of about 10,000 hours and uses about 140 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
• LED light bulb: Finally, an LED bulb lasts about 50,000 hours and uses about 300 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

So, how do the numbers compare? Well, on average, a CFL will save you about $92 over its lifespan compared to an incandescent light bulb. An LED bulb is going to save you about $80 compared to a CFL bulb, and a whopping $540 compared to an incandescent light bulb!

Switching to energy efficient lighting could save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bill every year, so why not switch today? For help switching your household to energy efficient lighting, from your outdoor lights to recessed lighting installation in Stanislaus County, CA, call Wilkinson Electric Inc. We offer prompt, quality services and can have all the lights in your home switched to energy efficient bulbs in one afternoon. To learn more about our services or to get your free estimate, just call!

Categorised in: Recessed Lighting

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