Two of the most popular energy saving bulbs on the market is CFLs or compact fluorescents, and the LEDs, light emitting diodes. Which one offers the greatest return on investment has been the subject of discussion for months now. Replacing your incandescent bulbs is a must to save any money or energy at all. Both the CFL and Led choices offer great savings.

CFLs initial cost is less but in the long run how does it all shake out? There is a detailed calculation for figuring out which investment is best, but if you are smart enough to use it, then you wouldn’t be reading this article. It can be simplified, or at least we will try.

CFLS have a cheaper initial cost, five times shorter lifespan and are less efficient than LEDS. LEDS cost more in the beginning but are far more efficient, live longer and have lower Co2 emissions. CFLs also take up to three minutes to be fully lit. It takes that long for the phosphor coating to light up. LEDS light up right away, and they don’t emit as much heat as CFLS.

The final outcome with all factors considered such as replacements, maintenance, and Emissions Reduction all favour the LEDs. Such factors like the CFL lifespan is around10, 000 hours and the Led lasts 50,000 hours. So you would have to replace the CFL five times, which is added into the total ROI of the LED. LEDs consume less electricity than CFLs by far, so the return on investment is compounded by the lifespan of hours per bulb.

Research shows that if all consumers were using LEDS the amount of electricity used would be reduced to 40% throughout the world. Additionally, it would reduce carbon emissions by 60 million metric tons. These figures are especially significant when you consider that only 19% of the global energy is used for lighting.

BLOG SOURCE : FORMER BRISBANE ELECTRICIANS (POSITIVE POWER)