There are many small changes that can be made around the home to promote an eco-friendlier environment, but one of the most impactful can actually be changing your lighting solutions. While LED lighting isn’t exactly new to the market, the options are becoming more widely accessible – and as the market becomes more popular, LED bulbs are both getting cheaper and improving in function every year. Switching now could be the smartest move you make for your home, your wallet and the environment.
The Environmental Impact of Lighting
As traditional lighting options like incandescent, fluorescent (CFL) and halogen bulbs require a high volume of electricity to power, a significant amount of fossil fuels are burned, releasing toxic greenhouse gasses out into the atmosphere – but their negative impact doesn’t stop here. Fluorescent lighting in specific often contains mercury, which is highly toxic, and this will seep into the earth in landfills when these non-recyclable bulbs inevitably break.
Energy Star-rated LED lights (like those found at LED Supplier) are reported to use around 75% less energy than incandescent alternatives – and can last up to 25 times longer. CFL lightbulbs are 25% more energy efficient than incandescent ones, but are the least eco-friendly option. Lastly, LED bulbs are over 80% more efficient than halogen bulbs – so it is clear to see that these solutions are the most worthwhile selection.
Right now, LED lighting is the most energy-efficient option on the market. Light-emitting diodes function by converting electrical currents into lighting via a small microchip and a series of little bulbs. Not only does this process use less energy than traditional bulbs, but it actually better utilises energy, so there is less wastage. Eco-friendly lighting solutions are made with hard-wearing yet biodegradable plastics that are widely recycled, so they are far safer for local wildlife and ecosystems, too.
Cost Savings of LED Lighting
One of the most attractive features of LED lighting is the cost savings for households across the UK. Due to the way energy is converted, you will actually save more money the longer your bulbs are in use, so you could see savings month after month. Differences in energy costs can be apparent after just one energy bill when traditional bulbs are swapped for LEDs, so the initial slightly higher purchase price will soon pay for itself. Cost savings with the national average of 0.10p per kWh can come anywhere between £200-£400 a year depending on the type of bulbs you are replacing. The great news is that LEDs perform well for both indoor and outdoor use and can have a significant financial impact for homes as well as businesses of all scales.
Long-Term Benefits of Switching to LED Lighting
Aside from the main benefits on offer when using LEDs, such as eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness and longevity, there are a host of other long-term benefits, such as:
- Lifespan – The average incandescent bulb lasts around 1000 hours whereas an LED bulb can last as little as 50,000 hours – so you could enjoy anywhere between 6 and 12 years of use before you will need to buy a new bulb.
- No heat or UV emissions – Incandescent light bulbs can get extremely hot during use as they convert over 90% of the energy generated into heat as well as light. LEDs actually emit energy within the visible spectrum instead, so there are no heat or UV emissions to consider.
- Dimming capabilities – A fantastic feature of LED lights is that they become even more energy efficient when dimmed. Lowering the output of your bulbs via dimming capabilities can help you to save more energy and money, as well as increase the lifespan of the bulb.
As an additional benefit, LED lights are far easier to clean and maintain than their counterparts and as they can last as much as 50% longer, you’ll replace them far less. This will equate to maintenance cost savings of £3 over £150 with incandescent bulbs.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a host of advantages to using LED lighting, on both a personal and environmental level, so it’s simple to see that making the switch from traditional lighting solutions to LEDs right now can be a smart move. Why not go online or to your nearest local hardware store and upgrade your home right now?