Should I upgrade my light bulbs to LED
Posted on Feb 13, 2009 by Paul White
Before you read, please be aware that much of this information may be out of date due to the rapid advances in technology. Scroll to the bottom for the updated fixturesThe main reason I decided to do the math on these household upgrades, was because part of Obama's plan is to do things like replace light bulbs in government buildings to help save on energy costs. At first I was skeptical. But then I decided to research the options for myself. I was surprized with how much this upgrade can save me.
The upgrade I am talking about is replacing Incandescent light bulbs with the newer Fluorescent ones or the LED bulbs. The problem is like most americans when I am lowes or home depot getting replacement bulbs, I usually have my mind on how much I am spending right now rather than how much I will be spending in the future. After all a light bulb only costs 80 cents or so.
The Lighting Options
Incandescent Bulbs
These bulbs have been around since the beginning. They provide plenty of light and are cheap to purchase. However their draw back is they convert very little electricity into light. Its estimated that 98 % of the energy they consume is converted into Heat.
Fluorescent Bulbs
These Bulbs used to be very expensive. We most frequently associate these to what is installed into office buildings and schools. The long 48" glass tubes, that use high voltage to excite gas within the tube to give off light. These are much more efficient than Incandescent bulbs, but they still create some heat, and until recently they have not been available in more compact forms that more closely resemble incadescent bulbs in their shape. Their cost is still higher than regular light bulbs ( about 3-5 times as much ), but they use about 1/4 the energy.
LED Bulbs
LEDs have been around for a long time, but within the past decade or so, newer more powerful LEDs have been developed that are much brighter than the older ones. LEDs also run on lower voltages ( 5 Volts or less sometimes ), and they generate almost no heat. The downside to LEDs is their light is more directional, and they don't make very much light, with the exception of newer high output LEDs. In order to make a brighter LED you have to crame many LEDS into a single package. These packages sometimes have over 50 LEDs. Also since LEDs can't run on a home's normal 120 AC. A transformer has to step the voltage down to something compatible, or they have to be wired in a way that divides the voltage evenly accross all the LEDs to their proper voltage. These also cost 20x as much as regular light bulbs, Though they burn 1/20 of the power.
Math time.
So to get a comparison of the data. I need to create a few math equations so I can plot the results.
Incandescent Bulb Properties
Sylvania Soft White General Purpose Light Bulbs 60 Watt from Lowes 8 pack
Life: 1000 hours
Price Per Pack: $1.98
Price per Bulb: $0.25
Power Consumption: 60 watts
Light Output: 840 Lumens
Flourescent Bulb Properties
GE Energy Samert 60 Compact Flurescent 8 pack from Amazon
Life: 8000 hours
Price Per Pack: $12.69
Price Per Bulb: $1.59
Power Consumption: 13 watts
Light Output: 825 Lumens
LED Bulb Properties
7 Watt LED Light Bulb - 60 watt replacement from earth tech products
Life: 50000 hours
Price Per Pack: $49.98
Price Per Bulb: $49.98
Power Consumption: 7 Watts
Light Output: 450 Lumens.
Our Light Bulb Senereo
Lets assume that these bulbs are used in your home office and you only use 1 of them to light your office. You use your office lights for 8 hours / day. The following chart shows you how the savings looks month by month
As you can see the break even point of going from Incandescent to Flourescent happends within the first month. Break even point of going from Incandescent to LED is about 2 years. But the biggest shocker is that if you already have Flourescent lighting and upgrade to LED, it will take you 15 years 3 months to break even.
This leads me to believe that LED still has a long ways to go before it will be a viable cost effective alternative for lighting. I will definately be upgrading all the bulbs in my house to the newer compact Flourescents.
Another reason to upgrade from Incandescent bulbs is the fact that they convert 98% of their energy into heat.
During the summer months, this means that your Air Conditioner will have to burn more electricity just to compensate for the heat your light bulbs make.
How much money will it save you in 1 year?
By upgrading a single Incandescent Bulb to a Compact Flourescent that you use for 8 hours per day, you will save about $20 in the first year.
How fast will upgrading a single Incandescent Bulb to a Compact Flourescent pay for itself?
This chart should help
The upgrade will pay for itself in about 24 days assuming the bulb is used for 8 / hours a day.
Article Update 4/15/2011
So after many emails from readers saying my information is out of date, I have taken the time to update my fixtures and charts. Hopefully these updated stats will be of more use for people.
In this round we are going to compare 1 incandescent bulb, 1 CFL bulb and 1 LED bulb.
To keep things simple I am going to use information and bulbs from HomeDepot.com. I know there may be some cheaper places to buy bulbs online, but lets keep it simple for the average consumer.
| Photo | Brand Model | Lumens Watts Lifespan | Cost in $USD |
 | EcoSmart a19 8.6 Watt LED Light Bulb 40 Watt Equivalent | 429 Lumens 8.6 Watts | $17.97 |
 | Philips 60 Watt Incandescent Light Bulb $1.27 ( 4 pack ) | 860 Lumens 60 Watts | $0.32 |
 | EcoSmart 14 Watt Soft White CFL Light Bulb 60 Watt Equivalent $5.85 ( 4 pack ) | 900 Lumens 14 Watts 10K hours | $1.46 |
First lets look at the power consumption of all bulbs relative to time
its obvious that LED has the lowest power consumption. Figures are based on days, and KWH
But now lets compute the initial cost of the bulb plus the cost of power consumption
After a full year of running these bulbs for 8 hours / day. CFL are still the best value. What is even more shocking is that incandescents are still cheaper ( assuming they didn't burn out more than a few times during that year ). Keep in mind that these figures do not take into account the cost for additional cooling since 95% of the energy going into incandescent light bulbs is released in the form of heat.
So when does using LED bulbs or chips save money?
Specialty lighting used in night clubs on dance floors is one place where LED lights can save you a bundle. Traditional Halogen bulbs even though are cheap consume 250 watts, and only last about 500 hours. Discharge bulbs might last 2000 hours but cost $100 per bulb. The new LED chips out are bright as a 250 watt halogen, last 50K hours, and only cost $40 / each. But before you run out and try to slap an LED bulb into you club lights, its important to realize that if your fixture was not designed to run on LEDs then you will have to heavily modify your fixtures to work with LEDs. This is often more expensive than buying new fixtures.Summary
At this point CFL are still the best bargain for home owners.
Should I upgrade my light bulbs to LED Categories
Discussion
James | Apr 13, 2011 9:37 PM
I know it has been a couple years since you wrote this, but the LED bulbs are about half what you said, contain no mercury, and SHOULD not generate heat. I bought one online just to see, and it's cool to the touch but a little pinkish for my flavor although I just randomly picked one. I JUST bought one at a well known housing store and it is white but for some reason, giving off as much heat as an incandescent. The pinkish one I bought online has been on for a month straight and is still cool to the touch as if it is off.
I would recommend buying one to test before throwing money at something that may not be what you expect for an entire re-lamp. I am still "real world" testing. I DO know we put LED's, 100 watts, for a tall structure at work for aircraft and the light emitted is extremely bright... I mean extremely.
(I am skipping the CFLs)
I know it has been a couple years since you wrote this, but the LED bulbs are about half what you said, contain no mercury, and SHOULD not generate heat. I bought one online just to see, and it's cool to the touch but a little pinkish for my flavor although I just randomly picked one. I JUST bought one at a well known housing store and it is white but for some reason, giving off as much heat as an incandescent. The pinkish one I bought online has been on for a month straight and is still cool to the touch as if it is off.
I would recommend buying one to test before throwing money at something that may not be what you expect for an entire re-lamp. I am still "real world" testing. I DO know we put LED's, 100 watts, for a tall structure at work for aircraft and the light emitted is extremely bright... I mean extremely.
(I am skipping the CFLs)
Jason | May 9, 2011 2:35 PM
I just bought 3 60 Watt equivalent LED bulbs straight from China on ebay for about $3 piece shipped, but they are more like 40 watt bulbs than 60 Watt, I will likely hold out for $5 LEDs from Phillips or GE...might be a few years, LEDs are one product where reviews, recommendations, and reputations will matter greatly, what I like to call the 3 Rs, actually I have never called it that but there are 3 R words....but I still have 20 new CFLs to go through (acquired at $0.80 / each) I might add that the non outdoor CFLs work great in negative 20 degree 50MPH blizzards of Chicago, in a light fixture, not fully enclosed..and they last for years.
I just bought 3 60 Watt equivalent LED bulbs straight from China on ebay for about $3 piece shipped, but they are more like 40 watt bulbs than 60 Watt, I will likely hold out for $5 LEDs from Phillips or GE...might be a few years, LEDs are one product where reviews, recommendations, and reputations will matter greatly, what I like to call the 3 Rs, actually I have never called it that but there are 3 R words....but I still have 20 new CFLs to go through (acquired at $0.80 / each) I might add that the non outdoor CFLs work great in negative 20 degree 50MPH blizzards of Chicago, in a light fixture, not fully enclosed..and they last for years.
Thom | Jun 24, 2011 8:36 PM
Very interesting and informative work, thank you.
I've been using CFLs for years inside and out and do like the fact they stay pretty bright for about a year. However, if used in a bathroom or other room where you are in and out they do not not get to full brightness which normally takes at least 1-3 minutes.
And if used indoors can give some people a headache after some time especially if reading, etc.
Very interesting and informative work, thank you.
I've been using CFLs for years inside and out and do like the fact they stay pretty bright for about a year. However, if used in a bathroom or other room where you are in and out they do not not get to full brightness which normally takes at least 1-3 minutes.
And if used indoors can give some people a headache after some time especially if reading, etc.
stefen | Sep 24, 2011 10:50 PM
thanks Paul for an excellent fact based analysis; agree CFL's are most cost/energy effective today; best price for a 7w LED is about $16 in midwest for a 25K hour average lift bulb; if heat is a factor, that life may be less [don't know]; if lumen output drops over life that make bulb less of an energy saver too [means replacement before failure]...and heat generated is significant in the A bulb LED [which believe shortens its life from 50K hrs to 25K hrs]; over the next few years the cost of electric generation may increase from 12c kwh to perhaps 14c kwh; and utilities have a base cost plus kwh cost sometimes graduated -- that is the first several 1000kwh may cost more than the next higher 1000kwh...all this increases cost of operation which may shorten the brake-even point for the LED; nevertheless, the very high first cost of an LED prevents the bulb from being economically affective, unless it is on 18 hrs a day or more -- commercial uses -- exit lights, hallway and stairwell lights and similar; I have two in outdoor open bottom being tested at 12hr/day use (cost $16/ea)...will see if they last for 5.6yrs...if less they failed before their advertised 25K aver. life span which happens and make the bulb a poor purchase
thanks Paul for an excellent fact based analysis; agree CFL's are most cost/energy effective today; best price for a 7w LED is about $16 in midwest for a 25K hour average lift bulb; if heat is a factor, that life may be less [don't know]; if lumen output drops over life that make bulb less of an energy saver too [means replacement before failure]...and heat generated is significant in the A bulb LED [which believe shortens its life from 50K hrs to 25K hrs]; over the next few years the cost of electric generation may increase from 12c kwh to perhaps 14c kwh; and utilities have a base cost plus kwh cost sometimes graduated -- that is the first several 1000kwh may cost more than the next higher 1000kwh...all this increases cost of operation which may shorten the brake-even point for the LED; nevertheless, the very high first cost of an LED prevents the bulb from being economically affective, unless it is on 18 hrs a day or more -- commercial uses -- exit lights, hallway and stairwell lights and similar; I have two in outdoor open bottom being tested at 12hr/day use (cost $16/ea)...will see if they last for 5.6yrs...if less they failed before their advertised 25K aver. life span which happens and make the bulb a poor purchase
stefen | Sep 25, 2011 7:38 PM
thanks Paul for an excellent fact based analysis; agree CFL's are most cost/energy effective today; best price for a 7w LED is about $16 in midwest for a 25K hour average lift bulb; if heat is a factor, that life may be less [don't know]; if lumen output drops over life that make bulb less of an energy saver too [means replacement before failure]...and heat generated is significant in the A bulb LED [which believe shortens its life from 50K hrs to 25K hrs]; over the next few years the cost of electric generation may increase from 12c kwh to perhaps 14c kwh; and utilities have a base cost plus kwh cost sometimes graduated -- that is the first several 1000kwh may cost more than the next higher 1000kwh...all this increases cost of operation which may shorten the brake-even point for the LED; nevertheless, the very high first cost of an LED prevents the bulb from being economically affective, unless it is on 18 hrs a day or more -- commercial uses -- exit lights, hallway and stairwell lights and similar; I have two in outdoor open bottom being tested at 12hr/day use (cost $16/ea)...will see if they last for 5.6yrs...if less they failed before their advertised 25K aver. life span which happens and make the bulb a poor purchase
thanks Paul for an excellent fact based analysis; agree CFL's are most cost/energy effective today; best price for a 7w LED is about $16 in midwest for a 25K hour average lift bulb; if heat is a factor, that life may be less [don't know]; if lumen output drops over life that make bulb less of an energy saver too [means replacement before failure]...and heat generated is significant in the A bulb LED [which believe shortens its life from 50K hrs to 25K hrs]; over the next few years the cost of electric generation may increase from 12c kwh to perhaps 14c kwh; and utilities have a base cost plus kwh cost sometimes graduated -- that is the first several 1000kwh may cost more than the next higher 1000kwh...all this increases cost of operation which may shorten the brake-even point for the LED; nevertheless, the very high first cost of an LED prevents the bulb from being economically affective, unless it is on 18 hrs a day or more -- commercial uses -- exit lights, hallway and stairwell lights and similar; I have two in outdoor open bottom being tested at 12hr/day use (cost $16/ea)...will see if they last for 5.6yrs...if less they failed before their advertised 25K aver. life span which happens and make the bulb a poor purchase
Jason | Nov 16, 2011 8:17 PM
I'm glad to see that you updated the article(it was a while back, but was just notified of another recent comment.) Not sure if homedepot.com at the time didn't have 60 Watt equivalent, but they do now. Your comparison looks a little strange using a 40 Watt equivalent LED, and the other bulbs are 60 Watt, or 60 watt equivalent. The 60W equiv bulbs are quite a bit more than the 40W equiv bulbs, in fact the 40W equiv bulb you used in your comparison is now under $10!, but the 60W equiv are over $23.97+ as of today.
I'm glad to see that you updated the article(it was a while back, but was just notified of another recent comment.) Not sure if homedepot.com at the time didn't have 60 Watt equivalent, but they do now. Your comparison looks a little strange using a 40 Watt equivalent LED, and the other bulbs are 60 Watt, or 60 watt equivalent. The 60W equiv bulbs are quite a bit more than the 40W equiv bulbs, in fact the 40W equiv bulb you used in your comparison is now under $10!, but the 60W equiv are over $23.97+ as of today.
Thom | Nov 16, 2011 11:21 PM
I've checked prices at Lowe's in southern California and the 60 watt equivalent retails for $49.99 + 8.75$ sales tax. The lumens are somewhat less than the 60 watt incandescent. I have 6 incandescent 60 watt floods in my entertainment room (pink tint) and at times could use a bit more light so going with the LED flood would have less light and probably lose some of the wall reflection due to the more direct light of the LED floods. When I ran the numbers it seems it woould take 7 years to recoup the price of the initial cost vs replacing the normal floods (6 per year). Granted the electric draw would be less but would not have any effect on my bill. I replaced all my outdoor lights (100 watt x 7) with the CFL and saw no decrease in my monthly bill. Albeit only have to replace the lights once per year vs three times a year. %
I've checked prices at Lowe's in southern California and the 60 watt equivalent retails for $49.99 + 8.75$ sales tax. The lumens are somewhat less than the 60 watt incandescent. I have 6 incandescent 60 watt floods in my entertainment room (pink tint) and at times could use a bit more light so going with the LED flood would have less light and probably lose some of the wall reflection due to the more direct light of the LED floods. When I ran the numbers it seems it woould take 7 years to recoup the price of the initial cost vs replacing the normal floods (6 per year). Granted the electric draw would be less but would not have any effect on my bill. I replaced all my outdoor lights (100 watt x 7) with the CFL and saw no decrease in my monthly bill. Albeit only have to replace the lights once per year vs three times a year. %
Jason | Nov 17, 2011 9:38 AM
I'm surprised at no decrease with CFL, that doesn't seem right, unless you just use a lot of energy overall and the difference is small, or maybe rates went up around the time you changed the lights, but you should be saving energy for sure, especially if they are on 8 hours a night or so. In general LED lights should be purchased by people with a lot of extra money, for the purpose of advancing technology and reducing costs for the masses, as well as so the rich can feel as though they are being green and have the best, for more common people, I would recommend waiting until they are at $5 / bulb for good ones, it will get there.
I'm surprised at no decrease with CFL, that doesn't seem right, unless you just use a lot of energy overall and the difference is small, or maybe rates went up around the time you changed the lights, but you should be saving energy for sure, especially if they are on 8 hours a night or so. In general LED lights should be purchased by people with a lot of extra money, for the purpose of advancing technology and reducing costs for the masses, as well as so the rich can feel as though they are being green and have the best, for more common people, I would recommend waiting until they are at $5 / bulb for good ones, it will get there.
Paul | Nov 17, 2011 1:13 PM
I am still waiting for the prices of LED bulbs to come down. Though I will say after switching all bulbs in our house to CFL, so far we have had 3 bulbs go bad. This is after less than 3 years of being in use. These typical bulbs were not used very often, but the ones with the highest failure, seem to be the bathroom bulbs where the humidity gets really high from showers. I remember another person saying the transformers that are built into the CFL bulbs are very unlikely to last the full life. Starting to think they are right.
I am still waiting for the prices of LED bulbs to come down. Though I will say after switching all bulbs in our house to CFL, so far we have had 3 bulbs go bad. This is after less than 3 years of being in use. These typical bulbs were not used very often, but the ones with the highest failure, seem to be the bathroom bulbs where the humidity gets really high from showers. I remember another person saying the transformers that are built into the CFL bulbs are very unlikely to last the full life. Starting to think they are right.
I feel the rate of return for LED bulbs is much lower than youre calculation even against CFL fluorescents. I figure about two and half years . Savings at 8hrs a day based on .10 cent/kilowatt is about $ 10.50per year. Plus the fact that you will burn trough about 8 CFL in the life span of the LED. If you use them somewhere were they will be turned on/off often like closet, stairwells etc. they burn out in about 2 months. LEDs I bought havent died yet under same conditions, but jury still out.The bulbs I bought were from Menards $ 24.89 on sale. I also read if used in close proxcimitry like desk lamps the high U.V. from CFL's are not good for youre eyes
.