Choosing Your Light Bulb

Hopefully you already know or have heard that incandescent light bulbs are on their way out. For many years now they have been phased out of production and are getting harder to find. You can still find them on store shelves, but once they're gone they're gone for good.
 

​So, what are we left with? CFLs and LEDs. Well, let's discuss what's out there and the pros/cons. 

​​                        CFL   (Compact Fluorescent Light):

Pros: use less energy than incandescent bulbs; cost less to purchase than LED bulbs; produce bright light that spreads evenly; are available in multiple hues
Cons: Some bulbs cannot be used with a dimmer switch; need to warm up to reach maximum brightness; can be sensitive to cold temperatures; contain mercury
Take home points:
CFL bulbs may cost you more than incandescent bulbs  up front, but save you money in the long run. CFLs use energy more efficiently than incandescent bulbs, reducing the energy consumption, reducing your monthly power bill. Mercury is a known toxin and cannot be disposed of in the trash with household garbage. You must take care when dealing with a broken bulb, and know how to dispose of these bulbs properly when they burn out. 

                                    LED   (Light Emitting Diode)

Pros: Immediate light, no warming up; put off less heat, stay cooler to the touch even after being used for a length of time; long life spans; no cold sensitivity
Cons: Increased cost upfront
Take home points: 
LEDs cost more, but save money in the long run in most applications. If you replace lights used regularly you will see small savings in your power bill. If you have a light fixture that is hard to reach (ie: stairwells, vaulted ceilings, etc) replacing bulbs with LEDs you won't have to get up there again for a while! 

         So, which bulb should you choose?

I'm not going to tell you which one you should choose, you have to look at the pros/cons and decide for yourself. Ask yourself some questions to figure it out.

• "How much time are these lights on?" - If you are thinking of replacing bulbs that are on for multiple hours per day it might be worth it to get the LEDs. 
• "How long am I going to live here?" - If you don't plan on being in that house for any length of time, consider if it's worth it to buy more expensive bulbs that will be left behind. (LED bulbs are getting cheaper and cheaper, but still advertise a 20+ year lifespan!) 
• "Am I looking for immediate brightness, or more even brightness?" - Consider that CFLs take time to warm up to their full brightness, but LEDs are more directional light and don't offer that even cast we're all used to. If you are looking at replacing bulbs in a space that has multiple sockets you can replace half with LEDs and half with CFLs; that way you get benefits from both. 
• "Am I worried about mercury?" - Mercury isn't something to take lightly, for your health or the planet. Even for the small amounts in each bulb it is still something to consider. If managed properly CFLs are a great choice; if not handled correctly it can cause problems. Only you can decide what is right for you. 
• "Is my biggest priority to save money now or in the long run?" - well, you need to decide that for yourself. You can take a look at your electricity bill, estimate how many hours your lights in question are on per day, and price check bulbs. From this information you can calculate your break-even point (when the upfront cost of the bulbs equals the monthly savings from implementing them). You can find examples of how to do this easily on the internet. 

If you have any further questions on the topic or want to discuss with us what would be the best choice for you, send us an email - we always love hearing from you!