You might not know this, but LED lights are kind of a big deal. In recent years, they have become the standard for indoor lighting in commercial and residential spaces alike. In fact, the market for LED lights is expected to grow by 17.5% annually until 2021. However, some people still wonder if LED lights use a lot of electricity. After all, these lights are now ubiquitous in homes and businesses because they’re more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. So do you need to unplug your LED lights to save money on your electric bill? Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of LED lights and how much energy they use.
Do LED Lights Use A Lot of Electricity?
The amount of electricity that a light fixture uses depends on a few factors, including the type of light fixture and its lumens (the unit used to measure brightness). Generally speaking, led lights to use less electricity than other types of lights, such as incandescent or fluorescent lights. This is because led lights are more efficient and require less energy to produce the same amount of light.
Why Are LED Lights More Energy Efficient?
1. LED Lights Are Incredibly Efficient
LED lights are incredibly efficient. In fact, LED lights are about 100 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs, which are the least efficient of all common light bulb types. LED lights have a lifespan of about 25,000 hours, which means they’ll last more than 20 years if you use them for just two hours per day. Incandescent bulbs, on the other hand, last only about 1,000 hours, or roughly 10 years if you use them for just two hours per day. With incandescent bulbs, you’ll have to spend time and money to keep replacing them. With LEDs, you’ll have to spend money upfront, but you’ll get that money back in the long term in the form of lower energy bills.
2. LED Lights Last Longer
LED lights last longer than other types of lights, meaning you’ll have to replace them less often. Incandescent bulbs last about 1,000 hours and fluorescent bulbs last about 10,000 hours. With both types of bulbs, you’ll have to replace them every year or two depending on how often you use them. With LEDs, you’ll only have to replace them after 25,000 hours or about 20 years if you use them for two hours per day. At that point, you’ll have saved so much money on your energy bills that you’ll be able to buy new LED lights without feeling the financial pinch.
3. LED Lights Require Fewer Materials To Produce
While the upfront cost of LED lights is higher than the cost of other types of lights, the materials required to produce them are less than other types of lights. This means that the cost of raw materials used in LEDs is less than the cost of materials used to produce other types of lights. LED lights last longer than other types of lights, so there are fewer materials used to produce them. LED lights are made from semiconductor materials, whereas incandescent and fluorescent lights are made from tungsten filaments. Tungsten is more difficult to produce and is more expensive than semiconductor materials.
4. LEDs Are More Visible In Daylight
LEDs are more visible than other types of lighting during the day, meaning they won’t cause accidents and they’ll be useful in everyday situations. Incandescent bulbs produce light in the yellow spectrum, which makes them difficult to see during the day. LED lights produce light in the blue spectrum, which makes them easier to see during the day. This might seem like a small thing, but it could save you from an accident or two.
5. LED Light Colors Aren’t Absorbed By The Atmosphere
Another difference between LED lights and other types of lights is that the light from LEDs is not absorbed by the atmosphere as much as other types of light. This is because the light from LEDs uses different wavelengths than the light from the sun. This means that less of the light from LEDs is absorbed by the atmosphere, making the lights more efficient than other types of lights.
How Much Electricity Do LEDs Use?
- Let’s do a little math to figure out how much electricity your LED lights use. Let’s say you buy LED lights rated at 8 watts per bulb. That’s the same amount of light you would get from a 60-watt incandescent bulb. The following chart from EnergySaver.gov shows how much energy each type of bulb uses. So, to find out how much energy your LED lights use, you need to know their wattage. Then, multiply 8 watts by the number of bulbs you have in your space. Because each of these bulbs uses less energy, your monthly electricity bill will be less than if you used incandescent bulbs. If you use these bulbs for 10 hours per day, you would save about $6 per month on your electric bill.
- One of the most important things to consider when buying LED lights is how much energy they use. The amount of electricity used determines how much money you will save over time. LEDs are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, but they are not as efficient as fluorescent bulbs.
- LED bulbs use a semiconductor material to produce light. They are very durable and can last up to 50,000 hours or longer. Compared to incandescent bulbs, they only use about 10% of the electricity and last 10 times longer. They also cost less than $1 per bulb at home improvement stores or online retailers like Amazon® and Home Depot®.
- LED lights use less energy than incandescent bulbs. If a 75-watt incandescent bulb and a 9-watt LED bulb are left on for an hour, the incandescent bulb will use 9 times as much energy as the LED bulb. However, the amount of electricity used is just one part of the equation. You also need to consider the cost of the energy and how long each bulb lasts. If you use an incandescent bulb for 1,000 hours and an LED bulb for 50,000 hours, the LED bulb will save you money in the long run.
The Pros Of Using LED Lights
- LED lights are more energy efficient and last longer than other light bulbs. So, if you’re in the market for new bulbs, they might be a good option. Here are a few reasons to consider switching to LED lights.
- They have a longer lifespan – LED lights last around 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. So, you’ll have to replace them less often and you’ll save money in the long run.
- Lower energy costs – LED lights use less energy than incandescent bulbs, so they’ll save you money on your monthly electric bill.
- Environmentally friendly – LED lights are made with recyclable materials and don’t contain mercury like other types of bulbs.
- Easy to install – It’s easy to install most LED lights, and the bulbs are small enough to fit into most light fixtures.
The Cons Of Using LED Lights
- There are a few drawbacks to using LED lights. They might not be the best choice for every situation. Here are a few downsides to keep in mind when shopping for LED lights.
- They can be expensive – LED lights are more expensive than other lights, and you will likely have to replace them more often than traditional bulbs.
- They contain a small amount of mercury – LED lights contain trace amounts of mercury, which is harmful to humans and the environment when not disposed of properly.
- You may need to change your wiring – If you have track lighting or are replacing bulbs in a ceiling fan, you might need to change your wiring.
Final Word
LED lights use less energy than other types of lights. They last longer and are more energy efficient, so you’ll save money in the long run. However, they are more expensive than other lights. You also need to be extra careful with how you dispose of them. Be sure to read the instructions to make sure you properly dispose of any bulbs that break. If you’re in the market for new lights, you might want to consider LED lights. They’re great for general lighting, decorative lighting, and more. They’re also great for indoor and outdoor use.
