LEDs = big savings
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We’re considering upgrading to LED light bulbs in our home, but at the store we choked. LEDs cost a pretty penny! However, I’m told that LED light bulbs last so long they are worth the significant upfront cost. Being the Bargain Babe, I decided to crunch the numbers to prove – or disprove it.
Are LED light bulbs worth the money?
I started to gather data when I came across this awesome chart, which the folks at EarthEasy.com were kind enough to let me share. It sums up all the relevant info.
So LEDs win, right?
One LED light bulb costs 800 percent more than one CFL bulb and 2700 percent more than one incandescent. But over the life of that one LED, you will save $4 over a CFL and $266.75 over an incandescent.
I had NO idea LEDs were such a huge savings over incandescent bulbs, a few of which we still have in our home. (The rest of our bulbs are CFLs.) Did you?
Did you notice that LEDs are not a huge savings over CFLs?
LEDs are still relatively expensive. But if you can find them on sale or have a coupon, the savings will tip in your favor. Here are two more important environmental reasons why LEDs win out over CFLs.
- CFLs contain mercury, which is toxic
- CFLs generate twice as much carbon dioxide emissions (via the coal utilities burn to create electricity) as LEDs
What’s the bottom line to save money on light bulbs?
The numbers don’t lie. If you have any incandescent light bulbs in your house, run to the hardware store and upgrade now! You can also find LEDs online and at many big box stores, like Target.
So many brands! Which to buy?
- The Philips L. Prize LED got a score of 10 out of 10 from the review site TopTenReviews. It ranks nine other LED bulbs for comparison.
- The Cree Warm White places first at TheWireCutter, booting the Philips L. Prize from it’s perch.
Looking for more info comparing light bulbs?
- Pros and cons of each type of bulb on GreenAmerica.org
- This Consumer Reports video (no subscription needed) compares light quality, light direction, and brightness
- Home Depot’s LED buying guide
Have you invested in LED light bulbs? Why not?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
CFLs also cause skin cancer. (I’d put a link but I’ve got a newborn in my arms–you can google it. 🙂 )
@Jenny I never heard that CFLs cause skin cancer. Is that related to the mercury inside the bulbs? In which case, it’s only toxic if the bulb breaks and you inhale the fumes.
@Jenny PS. Congrats on the new baby!!!!!! What a wonderful treat. I hope you are enjoying motherhood. It gets easier@
I’m not buying either one…I stick to incandescent – who knows what side effects the LED lights will have? I’ll give it some time before I try it.
@Michelle Ventresca You and I are both late adopters. But something tells me that LEDs are safe. They have been around for 51 years! The Wikipedia page has more on LEDs (light-emitting diodes).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode
LED don’t have any side effect please read. You don want to save that’s it.
@Linda Do you have an article you can share about LEDs not having any side effects? I’d like to read it, and I’m guessing others will too!
You don’t need an article, its called science.
I’ve been using LED lights for quite a while, and the only down side for me is that they’re not bright enough for some areas, especially in larger rooms. However, I’m happy with them overall. A friend’s husband tried them, and didn’t like them at all, so I got all the ones they’d already purchased as a gift! Nice!!! I do have the old fluorescent rings in my kitchen, as well as under the cabinet lighting. I’ve never had a problem with those. I do put burned out bulbs of all kinds in a box until one of the periodic recycling events is in my area, then get rid of everything that is possibly toxic.
We have mostly CFLs but we’ve had a few expire in a lot less hours than they’re supposed to.
We’ve recently installed LED spotlights in the kitchen and I like them.
I’ve done a ton of research on this, so here’s the run-down:
– If you’re still using Incandescent lights, your only excuse is you’re lazy or you haven’t found a bulb replacement yet to match the luminosity of your standard incandescent.
– CFL bulbs are super fragile and thus break easily, even from shock while being screwed in (such as in your basement ceiling under the living room). They are super cheap to buy now, and an easy way to get quick energy savings. Unfortunately, because of the mercury, they take a minute to gain full brightness, and are bad for the environment.
– LED’s win out any debate here where money isn’t involved, and soon with technology being developed around them, you’ll see prices drop even more. For instance, when they first came out, as the chart shows, you’d pay a solid $30-40 for one bulb. I’ve bought led bulbs at Walmart in the last year for $5 each, and there’s bulbs at Home Depot that come in soft white or daylight. LED bulbs are 100% safe. It’s all electric diodes lined up and reflected for a very intense luminosity. If you’ve noticed how much brighter car lights are getting in newer models, those are LED lights. They last forever, they’re 100% safe (no chemicals), and are better for the environment and your wallet.
So speaking from experience, LEDs are the way to go. Shop around, get the right light and luminosity for each room and make the investment and you won’t regret it.
Thanks for the good info, Steve. BTW ~ Are you “our” Steve from BB’s Daily News days?
$35+ for an LED?! I pay at most $6 (for the 60w variety) and when the power company is giving rebates at Costco, I pay even less.
@BJ, obviously the chart is from a few years back. Today an A19 LED bulb (which is what we’re talking about here — replacement for a traditional incandescent) is around $10 to $15, but less (as you point out) when buying an off brand or getting a subsidized bulb. (Those in some large stores have subsidies built in.) When someone reads this comment next year, they might comment on how high my prices are.
@BargainBabe, I’m pretty sure Jenny was referring to the UV emitted by CFLs. Relatively little comes from LEDs or incandescents. CFLs are also typically not living up to their expected lifespan, because that’s only realistic if they’re left on for long periods of time. In my opinion, there are too many negatives to CFLs, but of course they’re dirt cheap so they still appeal to many people.
LEDs are the future, no doubt. The problem no one talks about is that most LED build DO NOT last 30,000 or 50,000 hours. Yes, the LED itself WILL last BUT the circuit boards they are attached to burn out/short out because they are very poorly made in most bulbs. Without the circuits, the LEDs are useless. Some higher end bulbs do last a good while but (doing the math) are you going to keep a bulb (on average) 43 years?! Remember it’s a piece of electronic hardware that will wear out, especially outside. Who do you know that has electronics from 1971 that still depends on them? Just wear and tear on a bulb will eventually cause it to fail. This article essentially says you have to keep your LED bulbs for 43 years to get the results above. For now, just keep your money, buy cheap CFLs or regular incandesents until LEDs come down in price. When I can get them, under $2, I’ll be buyin. (Source: energystar.gov average bulb use per day 3.13hrs)
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for bulbs
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