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LED (Light Emitting Diode) light bulbs will eventually replace incandescent bulbs as the main lighting used in homes. For the moment, Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) are used more often by consumers than LEDs; CFL bulbs, however, are just a temporary solution to energy-efficient lighting. The reason LED lights have not yet displaced CFLs from the market are twofold: the first generation LED light bulbs had a narrow and focused light beam, and the up-front cost of the LED bulbs is much higher than the cost of traditional incandescent or Compact Fluorescent Lights.
Recent developments in LED light technology, however, have taken place to address these issues. LED light bulbs have been 'clustered' to provide more light, and mounted within diffuser lenses to spread the light across a wider area. Advancements in manufacturing technology have driven LED bulb prices down so much that LED lights are now becoming more cost-effective than either CFLs or incandescent bulbs.
The 'sticker shock' of the new LED light bulbs remains a deterrent to their widespread acceptance by consumers. The following comparison charts illustrate the value of the latest LED bulbs when compared with CFLs and incandescent light bulbs for overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Cost Comparison between LEDs, CFLs and Incandescent Light Bulbs
|
|
LED |
CFL |
Incandescent |
|
Light Bulb Projected Lifespan |
30,000 hours |
10,000 hours |
1,200 hours |
|
Watts per Bulb (equivalent to 60 watts) |
2 |
14 |
60 |
|
Retail Cost per Bulb |
$13.99 |
$3.95 |
$1.25 |
|
KWh of Electricity used over 30,000 Hours |
60 |
420 |
1800 |
|
Cost of Electricity (@ 0.165per KWh) |
$9.90 |
$69.30 |
$297 |
|
Bulbs Needed for 30k Hours of Use |
1 |
3 |
25 |
|
Equivalent 30k Hours Bulb Cost |
$13.99 |
$11.85 |
$31.25 |
|
Total Cost of 30k Hours |
$23.89 |
$81.15 |
$328.25 |
Energy Savings over 30,000 Hours
(Assuming 30 Bulbs per Household):
|
Total Cost over 30K Hours for 30 Bulbs |
$419.70 |
$355.50 |
$937.50 |
|
Energy Cost over 30,000 (30K) Hours |
$297.00 |
$2,079.00 |
$11,910.00 |
|
Savings to Household by Switching from Incandescent Bulbs |
$12,130.80 |
$10,413.00 |
N/A |