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Should You Make the Switch to LED Lamps?
Are you thinking about retrofitting your home with LED bulbs, but wondering if making the switch is worth it? The benefits below are sure to convince you that making the switch makes a whole lot of sense…
1. Energy efficiency. LEDs continue to raise the bar in terms of energy efficiency. Previously, a 60-watt incandescent lamp would emit about 800 lumens. Today’s 9-watt LED lamp emits the same number of lumens. In other words, same brightness, but a lot less energy. Score!
2. Energy savings. Energy efficiency is great, but it’s even better when the efficiency results in real savings. LEDs do exactly that. Here’s a good example: many cities and towns are saving millions of dollars switching over their streetlights to LED (although, as the article points out, the switch isn’t without controversy). Even on a household scale, swapping out regular incandescent lamps in key areas can lead to additional energy savings
- Pro Tip: Audit your highest traffic spaces (for example, your kitchen, hallways, living room, etc.). If there are portions of your home that have the lights on most of the day, LED lamps can mean a large reduction in energy consumption.
3. Low maintenance. The LED’s longer lifespan means less time replacing bulbs (and the less time spent fussing around on a stepstool or ladder, the better). Where an incandescent lamp lasts 1,000 – 2,000 hours, LED lamps have projected lifespans of 25,000 to as many as 50,000 hours.
Not only that, but LEDs are a solid state lighting source, meaning that, unlike incandescent lamps with a filament, LEDs are low profile and can be composed of non-glass materials. They can also withstand hot and cold temperatures. As such, LEDs can be used in many locations that incandescent or florescent lights might be a nuisance, such as outdoor lighting, areas that experience lots of vibrations (think ceiling fans), or uninsulated areas (like cold garages).
4. Increased control and improved technology. One of the real drawbacks to early LED lamps was the lack of dimming compatibility. Lights would flicker, hum, or turn off and on without warning. Today, you can find LED bulbs that work with your regular incandescent dimmers. These LED lamps mimic incandescent dimming (called WarmDim technology). We stock Philips Hue LED bulbs that can dim and even change color, all while using an app on your smartphone.
5. Falling prices. When LEDs first hit the market, many customers suffered from sticker shock. The good news? “LED bulb prices have dropped in price by 85% in recent years,†according to this USA Today article and the price is continuing to fall.
While it’s true LEDs are still more expensive than other bulbs, you’ll make up for it over time. The same USA Today article notes: “Switching to LED light bulbs can help the typical home save about $1,000 over a 10-year period. That’s roughly $8.33 a month.â€
LED Staff Pick: Soraa is one of our favorite LED lamps. Soraa, a California-based LED chip manufacturer, is one of the big LED players in the industry pioneering full-spectrum color rendering. The founder of Soraa, Dr. Shuji Nakamura, won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics for his research in manufacturing the first high brightness gallium nitride LED.
Used in restaurants, museums, and art galleries, Soraa’s lamps are chosen for their high-CRI rendering all colors of the rainbow. And now, consumers can take advantage of this company’s innovative work with LEDs, thanks to its newest line: Soraa Home.
What to look for when considering LED lamps: Check the lighting facts label. This will tell you everything you need to know the color temperature, CRI, lifespan, and how the lamp dims (some need special protocols).
Curious about LED lamps for your home? We stock many varieties, from PAR lamps, household lamps, MR-16s, and other common bulb types. Stop by and choose the perfect retrofit lamp for your house.
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