In the past, LED bulbs were mostly used for display on your small electronic devices, like your bed side clock. However, recent improvements in technology have seen LED lights rise in popularity in your average household. Once outrageously expensive, LED bulbs now average around $10 a bulb, and cost even less in the long run due to their efficiency and durability.
Incandescent Bulbs
Incandescents are your traditional light bulbs. Cheap to buy, but expensive to run. This is because a lot of electricity going into the bulbs is emitted as heat, instead of light. This results in a hot bulb which is dangerous to touch, and will need replacing within a year or so.
What’s the real cost?
When it comes time for you replace you household light bulbs, cost is naturally a big factor. However, the upfront cost is a lot more than the price of the bulb upfront, and as with most things, investing a little more today leads to better savings in the long run. When comparing different types of bulbs you should consider how long it is expected to last, the cost of the electricity used to power the bulb, and the expected environmental impact.
| Incandescent:Up front cost of the bulb – $2Running costs per year – $30Lifespan – 1.2CO2 Emissions – 477kg | LED:Up front cost of the bulb – $10Running costs per year – $7Lifespan – 50CO2 Emissions – 205 |
Overall, LED bulbs come out as a much smarter option, especially when you factor in the number of lights in your house and how much difference that would make. It’s hard to argue against a product that more than pays for itself in energy savings and might last for the rest of your life.
BLOG SOURCE: Former Brisbane Based Electricians Positive Power