How to Save on Electricity Costs By Installing Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Yourself

Installing energy efficient light bulbs is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your electricity costs at home. By replacing your existing incandescent or halogen bulbs with LEDs or CFLs, you can slash your lighting energy use by 75% or more.

I recently replaced all the bulbs in my home with LEDs and have seen a significant drop in my electricity bill. Here's my step-by-step guide on how you can do the same.

Choosing the Right Bulbs

When selecting new energy efficient bulbs, you have two main options - CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and LEDs (light emitting diodes). Both use much less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can save you money, but there are some key differences between them:

CFL Bulbs

• Cheap to buy, costing just a few dollars per bulb
• Use about 75% less energy than incandescents
• Last 6-10 times longer than incandescents
• Contain a small amount of mercury - must be disposed of properly

LED Bulbs

• More expensive than CFLs, $5-$20 per bulb typically
• Use at least 75% less energy than incandescents
• Last 25 times longer than incandescents
• Contain no mercury
• Work well with dimmers and in cold temperatures

LED bulbs are the best for long-term savings and environmental impact. Though more expensive initially, their 25,000+ hour lifespan makes them worthwhile. I chose Philips LED bulbs for my home.

Figuring Out How Many You Need

To determine how many new bulbs to buy, take inventory of all your light fixtures. Make a list of each lamp, chandelier, and light socket in every room. Note the type of bulb (A19, G25, BR30 etc) and the wattage.

You want to buy LED or CFL bulbs that match the type, brightness (lumens) and shape of your existing bulbs. You can find these details printed on the bulb or on the packaging.

Here's a quick guide:

• 60W incandescent = 14-15W CFL or 8-12W LED (800+ lumens)
• 40W incandescent = 9-13W CFL or 6-8W LED (450-800 lumens)
• 25W incandescent = 5-7W CFL or 4-5W LED (250-450 lumens)

Buy bulbs in multipacks to save money. Make sure you have the right number and type for each fixture.

Installing the New Bulbs

Installing energy efficient bulbs is just as easy as putting in incandescent bulbs. Just remember these tips:

• Switch off the light and allow the old bulb to cool before removing it
• Don't touch the new bulbs with your bare fingers - oil can damage them
• Screw in the new bulb gently until snug
• LEDs must be installed right side up to work

It's a good idea to clean the fixture while changing the bulb to maximize light output. Wipe down shades and use glass cleaner on any glass coverings.

Dimmer Switches and Fixtures

LEDs and CFLs work differently than old-fashioned bulbs. For optimal efficiency and lifespan:

• LEDs work best with LED-compatible dimmers
• Use regular (non-dimmable) CFLs and LEDs for fixtures without dimmers
• Install maximum allowed wattage of CFLs/LEDs for dimmers

Check dimmer switch packaging for compatible bulb types and wattages. You may need to replace these switches.

Disposing of Old Bulbs

Don't throw CFL bulbs in the trash! They contain a small amount of mercury and must be disposed of properly.

Many stores allow you to recycle CFLs for free. Or look up fluorescent lamp recycling programs in your city.

Incandescent and LED bulbs can be safely thrown away.

Enjoy Your Energy Savings!

Replacing all your home's old incandescent bulbs with efficient LEDs can reduce your energy bill by $40-$80 per year or more. You'll also enjoy less heat output from the cooler running bulbs and won't have to change them nearly as often.

With upfront costs of $3-$5 per LED bulb, the upgrade pays for itself within a year. And you'll be doing your part to reduce electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Installing LEDs is a quick, simple DIY project. Just take inventory, buy compatible efficient bulbs, screw them in, and dispose of old bulbs responsibly. Then sit back and enjoy significant savings on your electric bill!