Did you know the average household dedicates about 5% of its energy budget to lighting? Your lighting plays a big part in your home’s electrical costs, which is why our electricians are often asked:
“What light bulbs should I use to decrease my energy bills?”
Traditional incandescent bulbs use a LOT of energy to produce light, with 90% of the energy lost and given off as heat. Thankfully, these are no longer manufactured and will soon be completely phased out.
Here are the three best light bulbs to buy for energy efficiency and savings:
- Halogen Incandescents: These bulbs closely resemble traditional incandescents, but use a quarter less energy thanks to a capsule inside that holds gas around a filament. They come in a variety of colors, such as soft white, natural white and clear, and are great for use in lamps with dimmers.
- Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs): CFLs are recognized for their curl-shaped bulbs and provide an energy-efficient “twist” on traditional fluorescents. Aside from their iconic curl, CFLs also come in a range of shapes and sizes and are commonly used for recessed fixtures, table lamps and ceiling lighting. CFLs use about a third of the energy of a halogen incandescent.
- LEDs: Light-emitting diode (LED) lights are a very popular and perhaps the most energy-efficient option of lightbulbs. Instead of the electrical current passing through a filament, it passes through a microchip to illuminate the light source, generating very little heat while providing great lighting! When you think of LEDs you might think of bright, fluorescent-like lighting, but there are now a variety of colors, sizes and styles to fit many products and spaces in your home or business.
Overall, these energy-efficient lightbulbs will typically consume up to 80% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional bulbs, helping you improve lighting, reduce energy use and see noticeable savings on your energy bill each year. And while the initial investment in an LED or other energy efficient bulb may be more costly, the energy savings accrued in its use pay for the bulb in just a few months.
For more insight into choosing the right bulbs for your home, or if you need assistance in upgrading your lighting, contact us! Our professional, knowledgeable and experienced electricians will be happy to help you select and install the right lighting with our energy-saving lightbulb installation and LED retrofitting services.
