Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
LED lights and why you should be using them
Marc Crosby
16th Dec 2015
LED lighting is increasingly being seen as the next generation of lighting.
They save energy, last a lot longer than traditional light bulbs (and therefore cost less in replacements) and, because of their efficiency, help save the environment. Some think LEDS might just save the planet.
For many who remember trying LED lights out before however, they may remember weak dim lighting that couldn’t compare to their traditional bulbs. So, who give LED lights a go now?
Why LED lights?
Well, for starters, thankfully LED lights have really improved and can now match the brightness of a traditional light bulb.
Equally they’re a lot more energy efficient and, therefore, eco-friendly. LED lights can save up to an amazing 90% of energy used by incandescent and halogen bulbs and up to 50% used by fluorescent bulbs.
You may have noticed the sheer amount of heat given of by incandescent light bulbs?
That’s because between 80-90% of the energy emitted from an incandescent bulb is converted into heat instead of light – not very efficient! Thankfully, LED lights are about 85% more efficient and can last about 50 times longer than a standard bulb!
In fact figures released by the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that if the US embraced LED lighting on a large scale by 2025 then it could save over $280 billion!
It would reduce energy usage by 62% and result in 258 million metric tons of carbon emissions being wiped out.
Will it save me money?
Well, initially LED lights are that bit more expensive than a traditional bulb. However, as we’ve already mentioned, they last up to 50 times longer so, in the long term, you’re going to save money not buying replacements.
They’re also a lot more energy efficient which is a real plus. This is particularly true if you’re using solar panels for your energy where you’re unlikely able to afford an unnecessary drain on the energy you’re generating.
For more information about the benefits of LED lights you can read this great article here.
Which LED lights should I get?
If you’re giving LED lighting some thought then your next question will be deciding which ones to get.
Unlike with conventional bulbs where there is very little selection, there is huge variety in the LED market including in shape, brightness and indeed price!
Right now LED lights are flooding the market but they vary greatly in quality. In fact the market is a bit of a wild west, with some manufacturers making claims about their products which are often not validated by independent lab testing.
All this makes choosing the right LED light quite difficult. This is why we like Which LED Light, a free and impartial comparison service which helps you find the right LED light for your situation.
Using their comparison service you can find the best value or cheapest LED light for your appliance without any hassle. They also highlight whether a product has had independent lab testing so you know if the manufacturer is justified in making their claim.
They compare the whole market to give you the best choice possible when buying an LED light.
Are you interested in buying LED lighting? Maybe you’ve already given it a go? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
LED lights are way better than the first energy saving ones which took ages to get to a dim light. Give me a 100 watt incandescent bulb any day.
I’m a bit fan of LED lights is the best choice for me because it does not only save energy but money as well,they have a much longer lifespan than conventional bulbs,plus they give out a might greater light output at a much reduced energy cost.