How to Save on Lighting Costs With Retrofit LED Bulbs

Switching your home's lighting over to LED bulbs can provide significant energy and cost savings. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to save on lighting costs by retrofitting with LED bulbs.

What Are Retrofit LED Bulbs?

Retrofit LED bulbs are designed to replace traditional incandescent or CFL bulbs in existing light fixtures. They have the same E26 or E27 screw-in base as standard bulbs but use LED technology which is more energy efficient and longer lasting.

Retrofit LEDs come in a variety of shapes, sizes and brightness levels to match the bulbs you are replacing. They provide the same omnidirectional lighting as incandescents and CFLs, making them easy to swap into existing fixtures.

Benefits of Retrofitting with LED Bulbs

Here are some of the main benefits of retrofitting your home's lighting with LED bulbs:

• Save on energy costs - LEDs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. This can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings over each bulb's lifetime.

• Long lifespan - LED bulbs can last over 25,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours for incandescents. This significantly reduces the cost and hassle of frequent bulb replacements.

• Reduced maintenance - The long lifespan of LEDs leads to lower maintenance overhead. You won't have to replace bulbs as often.

• Eco-friendly - LEDs are free of toxic chemicals like mercury. Their energy efficiency also leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

• Better light quality - LEDs provide a warm glow without flickering or humming. They also produce little heat, reducing fire hazards.

How Much Can You Save by Switching to LED Bulbs?

The cost savings from switching to LED lighting depend on how much you currently spend on electricity for lighting and the types of bulbs you use.

Here is an overview of potential savings:

• Replacing a 60W incandescent bulb that's used for 3 hours per day can save around $8 per year in electricity costs if switching to a comparable 8W LED bulb. Over 10 years, that's a total savings of $80 per bulb replaced.

• For a frequently used 100W incandescent bulb that's on for 5 hours a day, the yearly savings work out to around $15. Over a decade you can save $150 per bulb.

• With halogen bulbs, the savings may be slightly less but still significant. Replacing a 50W halogen with a 9W LED can save around $3 per year in electricity costs.

• For CFLs, switching to LEDs can still save around 20% on lighting costs depending on the types being replaced.

In most cases, retrofitting with LEDs provides noticeable energy and cost savings - often cutting lighting electricity use by 75% or more. The savings quickly outweigh the higher upfront cost of the LED bulbs.

Determining the Right LED Bulbs for Your Home

Choosing the right LED bulbs requires a little bit of planning. Follow these steps:

• Do an audit of your existing bulbs - Note the types (incandescent, CFL), wattages and the light output (lumens) of all the bulbs in your home. This gives you a baseline for comparison.

• Check light fixture compatibility - Ensure that the shape, size and type of base of the LED bulbs will fit into your existing light fixtures. Retrofits are designed to be compatible.

• Match light output - Choose LED bulbs that provide around the same lumen output as the bulbs you are replacing. This will maintain proper lighting levels.

• Determine the right brightness - Think about what color temperature you want from the LEDs. Softer white 2700K to 3000K is good for bedrooms while bright white 5000K works well for task lighting.

• Consider dimmable LEDs - If your fixtures are on dimmer switches, you'll need dimmable LED bulbs for proper compatibility.

Once you know your requirements, you can easily find suitable and cost-effective retrofit LED options.

Tips for Installing Retrofit LED Bulbs

Installing retrofit LED bulbs is a simple process but here are some tips for best results:

• Handle new LED bulbs carefully by the base, not the glass, to avoid getting oils on them that can shorten their life.

• For bulbs with directional light like BR and PAR types, ensure they are oriented properly when screwing them in so the light goes in the right direction.

• Use only LED bulbs marked as "dimmable" for any fixtures controlled by a dimmer switch. Others may not perform well. Check dimmer switch compatibility too.

• When removing existing bulbs from fixtures, carefully inspect sockets for any damage or corrosion and clean them out with a dry cloth if needed.

• To avoid overheating when using higher wattage incandescent bulbs previously, you may want to clean the fixture to improve airflow when installing new LEDs.

• Take note of any sockets that are loose or do not make clean contact with bulb bases and repair them if possible to ensure proper function.

With these tips in mind, you can easily retrofit LED bulbs throughout your home's lighting fixtures. Just take your time and work through each room to maximize the energy and cost savings.

Maximizing the Long Lifespan of LED Bulbs

To get the most out of the long 25,000+ hour lifespan of LED bulbs, follow these usage and maintenance guidelines:

• Do not install LED bulbs in totally enclosed fixtures that trap heat. Opt for open fixtures or those with ventilation. Excess heat degrades LED bulb life.

• Use LED bulbs with your fixture's recommended wattage rating and avoid overpowering them which strains the LED components.

• Operate LED bulbs within the proper ambient temperature range - most work best between -20°C to 45°C.

• Keep LED bulbs away from moisture which can cause corrosion and damage circuits.

• Only operate LED bulbs on a proper voltage supply (120V or 230V). Higher voltage can fry the electronics.

• Use surge protectors or suppressors if you have frequent power surges to avoid burning out bulbs.

• Keep fixtures clean of dust build-up which retains heat. Regularly dusting bulbs and fixtures improves heat dissipation.

• Handle LED bulbs gently by their base when installing to avoid loosening internal connections.

By following these guidelines, your LED bulbs should provide many years of use before needing replacement. Proper installation and care is key to maximizing their lifespan.

Bottom Line

Retrofitting existing light fixtures with LED bulbs is one of the fastest and most effective ways to cut lighting costs and reduce energy consumption in any home. Modern LED retrofit bulbs provide the same omnidirectional lighting as traditional bulbs but at a fraction of the energy use and cost, while lasting decades before they need replacing. With proper selection and installation, you can easily realize savings of 75% or more on your lighting electricity. Retrofit LEDs provide bright, warm, maintenance-free lighting for many years, making them a smart choice to save money and go green.