Let There Be (Eco-Friendly) Light!
LED lightbulbs are the easiest way imaginable to do the right thing. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) consume 80% less energy than incandescent, last up to 25 times longer, and don’t produce as much heat. Sounds too good to be real, I know, but it’s true.
On average, a 60-watt equivalent LED bulb lasts for 25,000 hours, uses 212.5 kilo-watt hours of energy to run (as many as 212.5 lbs. of coal) and incurs an average cost of $21.50. How does that compare?
To achieve 25,000 hours of similar light with a CFL (Compact Fluorescent Bulb) would use 350 kilo-watt hours of energy to run (as much as 350 lbs of coal) and incur an average cost of $35. Such CFLs only last around 10,000 hours. Costs would thus be even higher due to needing more frequent replacement bulbs.
To achieve 25,000 hours of similar light with an incandescent would use 1500 kilo-watt hours of energy to run (as much as 1500 lbs of coal) and incur an average cost of $150. Such bulbs only last around 1,500 hours. Costs would thus be substantially higher due to needing to very frequently replace bulbs.
Why are LEDs so great? They work by emitting photons of light through multiple semi-conductors and electron holes.
Incandescent bulbs, by contrast, use a filament to channel the energy that flows into them to create both light and heat – with less than 5% of energy converted into visible light. CFL bulbs are extremely efficient, but require mercury – which is highly toxic.
When picking out your LED bulbs, be aware that lumens, and not wattage, is the key factor for brightness. As a rule of thumb, remember that a 60-watt incandescent bulb produces 800 lumens, (while a 6-8 watt LED bulb will produce a similar amount.
Also remember to pay attention to the color of the light. LEDs come in a range, based on the Kelvins (temperature) of the bulbs: yellow (2,700-3,000 K), white (3,500-4,100), and blue (5,000-6,500 K).
Have a dimmer? Don’t worry. While it’s true that early-on, LED bulbs lacked the ability to be connected to a dimmer, new technological advances means this no longer always holds true.
Learn more ways to save on power with LADWP.
Learn more about the assumptions behind Magenta House water and power savings calculations.
DETAILS
Upgrade: LED lightbulbs
Goal: Switch as many bulbs as possible to LED.
Potential Savings*: 1,000-1,250 KWH (kilowatt hours)-hrs/yr, $120-$200/yr for a household with 30-40 bulbs.
Skill level: ★☆☆
SAVINGS*
The average home savings calculation is based on the usage needs of a family of four and includes the following assumptions:
the home is lit up with somewhere between 30 and 40 lightbulbs;
and all of these bulbs are switching from incandescent to LED.
Based on these assumptions, LED costs are$150-$200 in the first year (assuming $5/bulb)
Yearly energy savings amount to 1,000-1,250 KWH per home, or $120 to $200.
