When it comes to home energy use, small changes can have a big impact. Switching to LED light bulbs can help you use up to 75% less energy and save big on your home energy bill . In fact, replacing the bulbs in your 5 most used light fixtures in your home will help save the average homeowner 9% on their electricity bill!
There are many options for LED light bulbs; the same features, styles and colors that you would traditionally find are still available for both residential and commercial use.
Before you head to the store, here are some things to consider:
- Read the Lighting Facts Label: to make sure the brightness and color is right for where the light bulb will be located. In many instances, choosing a bulb with a “soft white” or “warm white” color will help recreate the cozy feeling we are used to with incandescent bulbs.
- Dimmers: If you have an older style dimmer, it could be incompatible with LED bulbs. With older dimmers, it is smart to choose bulbs that are specifically dimmer-friendly, or replace your dimmers with new, LED friendly switches.
- The cost: Though the cost of LED light bulbs has gone down significantly since their introduction, they are still more costly than standard incandescent bulbs. Still, most now cost less than $10 a bulb due to advances in manufacturing and higher demand from consumers. They are designed to last more than 20 years, so while the cost up front can be higher, LEDs cost significantly less to operate over the life of the bulb and you will find yourself replacing them far less often.
- Smart technology: Smart technology controlled LED light bulbs are enabled with wi-fi or bluetooth, allowing you to control your lighting like never before. Through an app on your smartphone or tablet, you can easily schedule times for your lights to turn on or off, create ambiance by changing the brightness or color of individual bulbs, or even program them to shift with your movies or music.
Interested in learning more about LED lighting? Call the professionals at Mel Carr Electric! We have over 40 years of experience helping Capital Area homeowners and we would love to help you decide if LEDs are right for you!