How to Save on Your Monthly Electric Bill by Switching to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Why Switch to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs?

Switching to energy efficient light bulbs, like LEDs and CFLs, can help me significantly reduce my monthly electric bill. Here's why:

• LED and CFL bulbs use up to 80% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs to produce the same amount of light. This can lead to major energy savings over time.

• Energy efficient bulbs like LEDs and CFLs last much longer than incandescent bulbs, so I won't have to replace them as often. An LED bulb can last over 25,000 hours compared to just 1,000 hours for an incandescent.

• The long lifespan of LED and CFL bulbs offsets their higher upfront cost. Even though they cost more initially, I'll save money in the long run by avoiding frequent bulb replacements.

• Many utility companies and local governments offer rebates and discounts on energy efficient bulbs to encourage their use. I may be able to get LEDs and CFLs at a reduced price or even for free.

• Using efficient bulbs is an easy way for me to reduce my carbon footprint. LEDs and CFLs produce a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions of traditional incandescent bulbs.

How Much Can I Save by Switching Bulb Types?

Here's an estimate of how much I could save on my electric bill by switching to energy efficient bulbs in the most commonly used light fixtures and lamps in my home:

LED vs Incandescent

• 60W equivalent LED bulb: Uses about 6-8 watts, saves ~$4 per year in energy if used 4 hrs/day
• 100W equivalent LED bulb: Uses about 13-15 watts, saves ~$7 per year in energy if used 4 hrs/day

CFL vs Incandescent

• 60W equivalent CFL bulb: Uses about 13-15 watts, saves ~$3 per year in energy if used 4 hrs/day
• 100W equivalent CFL bulb: Uses about 23-25 watts, saves ~$5 per year in energy if used 4 hrs/day

Based on these estimated savings, I can see how switching just 5-10 bulbs in my home to LED or CFL could easily save me $20-$40 or more per year on my electric bill! The savings would really add up over the multi-year lifespan of the bulbs.

What to Look for When Buying LED and CFL Bulbs

Here are a few key things I should look for when purchasing energy efficient bulbs:

• Brightness level: Check the lumens rating, not watts. Lumens measure actual light output. Choose bulbs with lumens similar to the incandescent bulb being replaced.

• Light color: Choose bulbs with a warm color temperature around 2700K-3000K to match the look of incandescents. Avoid cool white or daylight colors above 4000K.

• Dimmable: If using with a dimmer switch, make sure the bulb is labeled dimmable or compatible with dimmers. Not all efficient bulbs can be used with dimmers.

• Energy Star certified: Choose bulbs that carry the Energy Star logo to ensure they meet efficiency and performance guidelines set by the EPA.

• Warranty: Look for 3-5 year or longer warranties offered by reputable brands to protect against early failures.

Tips for Maximizing Savings

Here are some handy tips to help maximize my energy and cost savings when switching to LEDs and CFLs:

• Upgrade the bulbs I use most like kitchen ceiling lights and living room table lamps first to gain the biggest savings.

• Remember to turn off lights when leaving a room to take full advantage of the reduced energy use of efficient bulbs.

• Use timers, motion detectors, or smart home technology to automatically turn lights on and off as needed. This avoids wasting electricity on unnecessary lighting.

• Use efficient bulbs in hard to reach fixtures that require a ladder or electrician to replace. Their longer lifespan avoids frequent bulb changes.

• Check with my utility to see if they offer free or discounted bulbs, rebates, or other incentives for upgrading to energy efficient lighting.

The Bottom Line

Switching the bulbs I use most to energy efficient LED and CFL options offers one of the fastest and easiest ways to start reducing my electric bill right away. With significant savings on lighting energy use and reduced bulb replacement costs, I can save $20, $30 or even more per year. And every little bit of savings helps trim my monthly utility expenses!