LED & CFL light bulbs versus incandescent light bulbs—what’s the difference? Incandescent light bulbs are the kind of light bulbs you grew up with. These light bulbs could be expected to last 750-2000 hours depending on use. These bulbs were cheap and were the only option for in-home lighting. Starting in the 1980s, Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs became an option. Around the same time, Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs also gained popularity. However, both LEDs and CFLs were much more expensive than incandescent. Now, over thirty years later, LEDs and CFLs are the standards for in-home use. But what is the difference between these two bulbs and why is it important?
3 Benefits of LED Bulbs
- LED lights last much longer than traditional bulbs. In fact, where the life span of an incandescent bulb is 750-2000 hours, the LED lasts 35,000-50,000 hours. This means that you will change your bulbs less often, which saves you money in the long run.
- Energy efficiency is another benefit of LED bulbs. In addition to a much longer life expectancy, LEDs turn nearly 70% of their energy into light. While traditional bulbs convert more energy into heat. This also means that LEDs tend to be brighter than incandescent bulbs and don’t emit the amount of heat that traditional bulbs do.
- LEDs are more reliable than traditional bulbs. Incandescent bulbs contain more fragile filaments and don’t hold up well in cold weather. LEDs on the other hand can withstand temperature fluctuations and don’t contain fragile parts.
3 Benefits of CFL Bulbs
- CFLs are also energy efficient. CFLs are just shortened versions of traditional fluorescent lights. Just like fluorescent bulbs, CFLs use about 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last about ten times longer than regular bulbs.
- CFLs are great for longevity. While these bulbs last longer than traditional bulbs they are also good for spaces that must remain lit for long periods of time.
- CFLs cost less than LED light bulbs which are still about twice as expensive, even though the cost of LEDs has come down significantly in the past decade.
Cons of Both Types of Bulbs
As with anything, there are some cons to these types of bulbs. LEDs are still the more initially expensive option. While LEDs save money in the long run, a typical LED bulb will cost $8 or less compared to $2 per bulb for CFLs. However, CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and need to be disposed of properly which makes them less environmentally friendly.
The bottom line is that both LED & CFL light bulbs are good, economical options for lighting in your home. Contact Raceway Electric if you have lighting that you need to be installed in your home.
