LED light bulbs will eventually be what we use to replace incandescent bulbs – CFLs are a temporary solution to energy-efficient lighting. The reason LEDs have not yet displaced CFLs from the market are twofold: the first generation LED bulbs had a narrow and focused light beam, and the cost of the LED bulbs was too high.
Recent developments in LED technology, however, have been addressing these issues. LEDs have been 'clustered' to provide more light, and mounted within diffuser lenses which spread the light across a wider area. And advancements in manufacturing technology have driven the prices down to a level where LED bulbs are more cost-effective than CFLs or incandescent bulbs. This trend is continuing, with LED bulbs being designed for more applications while the prices are going down over time.
The 'sticker shock' of the new LEDs 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 incandescents for overall efficiency as well as cost-effectiveness.
comparison between LEDs, CFLs and Incandescent light bulbs
|
|
LED |
CFL |
Incandescent |
|
Light bulb projected lifespan |
50,000 hours |
10,000 hours |
1,200 hours |
|
Watts per bulb (equiv. 60 watts) |
6 |
14 |
60 |
|
Cost per bulb |
$35.95 |
$3.95 |
$1.25 |
|
KWh of electricity used over |
300 |
700 |
3000 |
|
Cost of electricity (@ 0.20per KWh) |
$60 |
$140 |
$600 |
|
Bulbs needed for 50k hours of use |
1 |
5 |
42 |
|
Equivalent 50k hours bulb expense |
$35.95 |
$19.75 |
$52.50 |
|
Total cost for 50k hours |
$95.95 |
$159.75 |
$652.50 |
Energy Savings over 50,000 hours, assuming 25 bulbs per household:
|
Total cost for 30 bulbs |
$2398.75 |
$3993.75 |
$16,312.50 |
|
Savings to household by switching |
$13,913.75 |
$12,318.75 |
0 |
Notes:
- Cost of electricity will vary. The figures used above are for comparison only, and are not exact.
- The cost per bulb for LEDs may vary. We used the figure of $35.95 (for a 6 watt LED) as an average among lighting retailers. Eartheasy's retail price for a 7 watt LED is $39.95.
- Estimates of bulb lifespan are projected, since it would take about 6 years of continuous lighting to test. Some manufacturers claim the new LED bulbs will last up to 25 years under normal household use, but this is not proven.
- Bulb breakage and bulb replacement costs have not been factored into this comparison chart. Incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs are more easily broken than LEDs, which increases their cost of use.
- Most LEDs come with a minimum 2-year guarantee. Any defective LED bulb will usually fail within this time.
|
LED bulb |
Price |
Watts |
Lumens |
Incandescent Equivalent Watts |
Dimmable |
CRI |
Lifespan |
|
|
ZetaLux Warm White |
$39.95 |
7 |
350 |
40 - 50 |
no |
80 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
ZetaLux Cool White |
$39.95 |
7 |
450 |
50 - 60 |
no |
75 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
DesignoLux NX8 |
$43.95 |
8 |
300 |
40 - 50 |
no |
80 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
EvoLux SH Warm White |
$49.95 |
13 |
1000 |
75 - 100 |
no |
80 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
EvoLux SH Cool |
$49.95 |
13 |
1075 |
75 - 100 |
no |
75 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
DesignoLux Candelabra |
$27.95 |
3 |
150 |
20 |
no |
80 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
EarthPAR-20, R-20, Spot light, Warm White |
$54.95 |
7 |
400 |
40 - 50 |
no |
70 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
LumiSelect MR-16 PRO, Warm White, Dimmable |
$54.95 |
5 |
350 |
40 - 50 |
yes |
75 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
LumiSelect PAR-16 Warm White, Dimmable |
$65.95 |
6 |
300 |
40 - 50 |
yes |
80 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
LumiSelect PAR-20 Warm White, Dimmable |
$85.95 |
9 |
450 |
40 - 60 |
yes |
80 |
> 50,000 hrs |
|
|
Cree LR 6 Bulb and Module, Warm White, Dimmable |
$124.95 |
12 |
650 |
50 - 60 |
yes |
92 |
> 35,000 hrs |
|
|
Cree LR 5 Bulb and Module, Warm White, Dimmable |
$159.95 |
10.5 |
540 |
40 - 60 |
yes |
94 |
> 35,000 hrs |
Notes:
- Dimmable LEDs cost about 40% more than non-dimmable LEDs of similar wattage.
- Estimates of bulb lifespan are projected, since it would take about 6 years of continuous lighting to test. Some manufacturers claim the new LED bulbs may last up to 25 years under normal household use.
Terms:
- Lumens - The unit of measurement of the flow of light, or 'luminous flux'. With light bulbs, it provides an estimate of the apparent amount of light the bulb will produce.
- Coloring Rendering Index (CRI) . CRI represents the quality of light and its ability to render colors correctly. The EvoLux bulb, for example, features a CRI of 75 for Cool White and 80 for Warm White making it one of the highest in the industry.
wattages and light output of Incandescent, CFL and LED bulbs
|
Light Output |
LEDs |
CFLs |
Incandescents |
|
Lumens |
Watts |
Watts |
Watts |
|
450 |
4 - 5 |
8 - 12 |
40 |
|
300 - 900 |
6 - 8 |
13 - 18 |
60 |
|
1100 - 1300 |
9 - 13 |
18 - 22 |
75 - 100 |
|
1600 - 1800 |
16 - 20 |
23 - 30 |
100 |
|
2600 - 2800 |
25 - 28 |
30 - 55 |
150 |
Comparing the features of Incandescent, CFL and LED bulbs
|
|
LEDs |
CFLs |
Incandescents |
|
Frequent On/Off Cycling |
no effect |
shortens lifespan |
some effect |
|
Turns on instantly |
yes |
slight delay |
yes |
|
Durability |
durable |
fragile |
fragile |
|
Heat Emitted |
low (3 btu's/hr) |
medium (30 btu's/hr) |
high (85 btu's/hr) |
|
Sensitivity to temperature |
no |
yes |
some |
|
Sensitivity to humidity |
no |
yes |
some |
|
Hazardous Materials |
none |
5 mg mercury/bulb |
none |
|
Replacement frequency |
1 |
5 |
40+ |
Choosing an LED light bulb
Many different models and styles of LED bulbs are emerging in today's marketplace. When choosing a bulb, keep in mind the following:
• Estimate desired wattage - read the package to choose desired illumination level. For example, a 3W LED is equivalent in output to a 45 W incandescent.
• Choose between warm and cool light - new LED bulbs are available in 'cool' white light, which is ideal for task lighting, and 'warm' light commonly used for accent or small area lighting.
• Standard base or pin base - LEDs are available in several types of 'pin' sockets or the standard "screw' (Edison) bases for recessed or track lighting.
• Choose between standard and dimmable bulbs - some LED bulbs, are now available as dimmable bulbs.
The common styles of LED bulbs available for household use include the following:
