Pros And Cons Of Energy-Saving Bulbs

Do you want to save energy as well as cut your monthly utility costs all at once? To help you achieve each of these objectives, there are numerous home improvement projects you could take on. Updating your home's lighting is among the simplest ways to make it more energy-efficient. Make sure you comprehend these benefits and drawbacks before deciding to switch to energy-efficient lighting:

The fact that energy-efficient lighting uses a great deal less energy than conventional lighting is one of the main benefits of using it. You will save a significant amount of energy each month just by switching to energy-efficient bulbs because they use between 25 and 80 percent less energy than conventional bulbs.

The price of energy-saving bulbs is one of their main drawbacks. It can be costly, at least initially, to switch out incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient ones. Depending on the manufacturer, Energy Star-rated compact fluorescent bulbs to replace 100-watt incandescent can range in price from $2 to $15 per bulb, while the initial 100-watt LED bulbs can cost as much as $50.

The good news is that LEDs are getting cheaper every year, despite their high current prices. In fact, over each decade, their price decreases by a factor of twenty. Energy-saving light bulbs' performance (amount of light produced per watt of electricity) will rise exponentially, just like that of other electronic devices.

Because of the materials used in its construction, one energy-saving design, the compact fluorescent, has sparked safety concerns. A small amount of mercury is present in CFLs, but it's enough to pose a health risk if the bulb malfunctions. Additionally, as a safety measure, the electronics in the base of a CFL bulb self-destruct when the bulb reaches the end of its lifespan. This procedure has the potential to burn the plastic housing and even cause a puff of smoke. One notable instance involved minor fires brought on by poorly made first-generation bulbs.

Traditional lights don't last nearly as long as energy-efficient bulbs. It has been demonstrated that they last three to twenty times longer. Because you won't need to replace the energy-efficient bulbs as frequently, even though you will pay more upfront, you will end up saving money in the long run. The lifespan not only saves you money, but it also spares you the hassle of having to replace light bulbs in your home regularly. This will save you a ton of time, especially if the light bulbs are located in awkward locations.

This is a real drawback of CFL lighting, but not of LED lighting. In extremely cold climates, compact fluorescent light bulbs have trouble turning on, but LEDs do so right away. Because of this, LED lights are suggested for outdoor lightings, such as porch or garden lights.

Consumers did not prefer the first generation of environmentally friendly light bulbs. Why? Because they didn't provide the quality and level of light that people were accustomed to with incandescent bulbs. However, as more colors and light levels were made available, energy-saving light bulbs quickly emerged as respectable rivals.

Customers have expressed dissatisfaction that regular CFL bulbs available in stores either cannot be used with dimmer switches or perform less effectively when they are. But there is a solution: switch to LED bulbs. They can be used with dimmer switches, so look for LEDs with packaging that says they are compatible.