Benefits of Energy Efficient Lighting

Energy efficient lighting has been getting a lot of attention lately. As we become more and more aware of how our everyday habits affect the planet, we realize that making small changes in our day-to-day lives can achieve big results. One of those changes is switching from regular light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs that not only help the planet, but also save us money.

There are two types of energy efficient light bulbs that consumers can buy. The first is compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs. These bulbs give a similar lighting effect to normal light bulbs and come in a range of shapes and sizes. LEDs (light-emitting diode) are the other option and are miniature bulbs powered by movement of electrons. LEDs tend to last longer because there is no filament to burn out and are less bulky than both traditional and CFL bulbs.

Both types of bulbs have numerous benefits. Here are the two main ones:

They Save Money

CFL bulbs are four times more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs and LED bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours. Though CFL bulbs range from $2 to $25 per bulb and LEDs can be ten times more expensive than incandescent bulbs, the money they save on energy bills and in fewer replacement costs well outweigh the cost. CFLs can save you $30-$60 per bulb in energy costs while LEDs can reduce your electric bill by up to 90%. In addition, LEDs stand up to stress much better than incandescent bulbs due to their lack of filament that can be broken by bumping or dropping.

They Help the Planet

Incandescent bulbs can emit huge quantities of CO2 into the air which affect our ozone layer and overall air quality. For every energy efficient bulb you use, you reduce the Co2 emission by half a ton. What does this amount to? Think of it this way: if every US citizen switched just one incandescent bulb to an energy efficient one, they could prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emission of 800,000 vehicles. That is a significant number, especially when you think about how easy it is to make the change. In addition to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, using energy efficient bulbs equals less waste as they last much longer and do not end up in landfills as quickly as incandescent bulbs.

Going green in your home does not have to be an expensive and time-intensive endeavor. By simply changing your shopping habits and buying LED or CFL bulbs instead of your traditional incandescent, you can save money and do your part to protect the planet. Have questions about energy efficient lighting or other ways you can go green? Please visit our website and consider speaking to one of our knowledgeable professionals.