LEDs Lead the Way
An important part of our everyday lives, lighting uses about 22% of all electricity generated in the U.S., according to Department of Energy statistics. It’s no wonder that the DOE and efficiency supporters have promoted upgraded lighting technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce building energy consumption and costs.
In fact, a recent report by the DOE shows that LEDs are the most efficient and environmentally friendly option. when compared to incandescents and compact fluorescent lamps.
Let’s compare:
| LEDs | Incandescents | Compact Fluorescents | |
| Average life span | 50,000 hours | 1,200 hours | 8,000 hours |
| Watts of electricity used (Equivalent to 60 watt bulb) |
6 ‐ 8 watts | 60 watts | 13 ‐ 15 watts |
| Annual operating cost (30 incandescents/year equivalent) |
$32.85/year | $328.59/year | $76.65/year |
| Turns on instantly | Yes | Yes | No (takes time to warm up) |
| Durability | Can handle jarring and bumping | Glass or filament can break easily | Glass can break easily |
| Heat emitted | 3.4 BTUs/hour | 85 BTUs/hour | 30 BTUs/hour |
Have questions about the pros and cons of each type of light? We are here to help, whether you’d like more information or want us to take a look at ways we can improve your building’s energy efficiency.