According to a study by CBS News, the average household in the United States has roughly 45 lightbulbs of various sizes and shapes. And that number sounds pretty reasonable until you begin to make a list of locations, sizes, and the wattage of these various light sources. Then you start your search for suitable high-efficiency replacement options. That is when homeowners across begin to question the value of the time invested in purchasing and installing all of these new lightbulbs. But you might be surprised at what new LED or CFL light bulbs have to offer you and the planet.
Impressive Savings
It is easy to assume that any energy savings will be very minimal when you are talking about a single lightbulb. But when you multiple even small savings by the 45 lights in your home, the number becomes more impressive and motivational. A typical 60-watt incandescent bulb will cost around $5 to operate a few hours a day for an entire year. Replacing that same standard bulb with an LED equivalent will reduce the operating cost to roughly $1. So you are saving 80%, or $4 each year. It is not very exciting until you multiply that by 45 and discover $180 to turn into something fun. If you were to swap in CFL lightbulbs for the incandescent models in the same home, the savings would come in at around $170 each year.
One And Done
Of course, your time is valuable. And swapping out dozens of lightbulbs will take some time and effort for the ones that are challenging to reach. But what if you never needed to change another bulb for as long as you live in your current home? LED lights are rated up to 50,000 hours, or about 50 times longer than a traditional light bulb. So if you use a light for about two hours a day, the LED could last over six decades! And with more innovative and durable construction, these lights could easily last for decades.
Sixty years of service is a fantastic benefit by itself. But think of how many incandescent light bulbs you would have purchased in 60 years. At one every six years, that is ten bulbs as compared to the one LED. At $2 per bulb, you have spent $20 replacing a single light bulb. And when you calculate the cost for your entire home, the number reached $900. That is another excellent savings on top of the $180 a year saved on your electric bill.
Helping The Environment
Both CFL and LED lights are much more energy-efficient because they are not wasting power creating heat. Both of those points are important for the environment. As a result, you are decreasing your carbon footprint and adding less heat to the planet. Taken a step further, you will also enjoy a lower operating cost on your air conditioner with less unwanted heat from your home’s lighting.
New Fixtures
LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are revolutionizing the way we light our homes. You have hundreds of options for new fixtures and applications that were not available a few years ago. From tiny fixtures or rope lights to accent lighting that mounts right on the back of a picture frame, your options are endless and exciting.
To learn more about converting your home to energy-efficient LED lighting and light fixtures, call (541) 234-8864. The licensed electricians at Excel Electric are eager to help clients save money and energy with these new options. And as with all of our work, we provide a free price quote and warranty on every job.