I’m sure you’ve all heard that one of the ways you can reduce your energy bill is by replacing your incandescent light bulbs with CFL bulbs, but if you’re like me, you’re probably also worried about the possible risks associated with doing so. CFL bulbs contain mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause kidney and brain damage, turning a minor mess of broken glass into a HazMat situation.
Because of this, we’ve been very hesitant to use CFL bulbs in our household, so I was very intrigued when The Home Depot contacted me about their new line of LED light bulbs. LED bulbs actually supply just as much light as traditional incandescent bulbs but use far less electricity — a whopping 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and up to 50 percent less energy than CFL bulbs.
I was also amazed to learn that LED bulbs an extremely long life expectancy that, 100 times longer than incandescent bulbs! Each bulb can last up to 100,000 hours or 11.42 years! I know we have several fixtures that are a real hassle to change, so my husband would be thrilled if he only had to do so every ten years or so.
More interesting LED facts:
- Replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-saving lighting options, such as LED lights, is a simple way to reduce your energy bills.
- Replacing standard light bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs will bring you immediate savings on your electricity bill.
- In fact, innovative LED technology uses up to 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, without sacrificing lighting quality.
- LED bulbs supply just as much light as your old bulbs but use far less electricity. In fact, the innovative technology uses up to 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and up to 50 percent less energy than CFL bulbs.
- LED bulbs also have an exceptionally long life expectancy that is 100 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Each bulb can last up to 100,000 hours, or 11.42 years.
Sounds great, huh? So you’re probably wondering what’s the catch. The bad news is this great new technology comes with a price tag that’s significantly higher than we’re used to paying for incandescent bulbs. Expect to pay about $17.97 for an LED bulb that’s a 40W equivalent.
However, the good news is that the price is rapidly coming down. In fact, just two years ago, a 60-watt equivalent cost $90 and a 100-watt dimmable bulb went for $360. Wow!
New legislation is requiring that most incandescent bulb production be discontinued by 2014, so it’s definitely important to start looking at other options. While the initial investment may seem steep, it’s important to consider the savings in energy coupled with the longevity of LED bulbs.
Next week I’ll take you shopping with me at my local Home Depot to purchase LED lighting for several fixtures in our house. But in the meantime, you can win a $50 gift card to The Home Depot!
To enter: Just check out the LED lighting page on HomeDepot.com and tell me one cool fact you learned about LED bulbs. Would you purchase LED light bulbs? Have you already started using LED light bulbs in your household?
This giveaway will close at 2:00pm EST on 1/13/11.
The Home Depot works with bloggers such as myself to conduct product reviews. They do not tell bloggers what to say about their products or how to say it. THD fundamentally believes that people should be free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot often provides product – free of charge – to bloggers for review as they did for this post. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
andrea
I didn’t know they didnt’ contain mercury. Good to know!
Mrs Suber
Just think — if they can produce light from a chip, what kind of technology will they come up with to replace the internal combustion engine (passenger car)? We have CFL’s, but I didn’t know about the mercury. Will change eventually.
Amy Sp
I was shocked to read that they could last 20 years!?! That seems crazy, and well worth the extra money. We only have LED flashlights for now.
Mary Ann
Didn’t know that they don’t contain mercury. Haven’t used them yet, but I’m willing to try them.
Michaelene
I had not idea they do not contain mercury! We use them everywhere we can in our house to save on our electric bill. Plus I like that they don’t get as hot as traditional light bulbs and they last longer.
Chris Buckley
I didn’t know LED’s were 85% more efficient than regular light bulbs. Wow!
Maria
LED lights can save you up to 85% of your lighting bill. I just learned that they can last up to 20 years. I’d love to replace all my incandecent bulbs with Led lights but i must wait until they are more affordable. I did replaced all my christmas lights with LED lights this year.
Holly
I learned that an LED down light (of which we have about 12 in our house) would last about 16 years in our household! Hard to beat that. We have decided to slowly invest in LED lighting for our home. It just makes sense, and we really do count it as an investment.
Catalina
I learned that they do not contain mercury, and they last a lot longer than regular light bulbs.
Jenna
HD website says LED lasts 85% longer, up to 20yrs longer than a regular bulb. We used the same sets of LED lights on our tree last year and this year, and left them on 24/7 for over a month.
My husband has an LED flashlight that works by shaking it. We use it quite frequently and it’s lasted for at least 4 years. I have no doubt that LED bulbs will be long lasting.
Kendra
I am very impressed with the energy savings of LEDs, and it seems as though the “investment” could be worth it.
teresa
I like the fact that they burnbrighter and use less energy…
dana behne
We haven’t tried them yet, but if they can last 20 years that sounds like it is worth it.
Tiffany Sparks
I think it’s interesting that they do not contain mercury and other toxic material. I have already purchased LED light bulbs and I absolutely love them!
becky d
I try to save energy any way I can and I believe I will start to change my whole house over since they use less energy and last longer, thanks
eM
I learned that they use less energy which results in good savings!
Nancy
I am so glad that they are cooler than regular bulbs. I have just started replacing my kitchen flood lights with these. My kitchen gets too hot when having parties with the regular light bulbs constantly on.
Melissa A.
It’s great that they last up to 25 years longer than incandescent bulbs.
I might buy them in the future when the price drops.
Joni
I learned that they don’t contain mercury or other toxins. I would buy them, we use some LED Christmas lights.
Bethany
We love LED lights! CFL bulbs seem so dim to me and I would love to use more LED’s for great energy savings.
Amy Cummings
I have started replaced my christmas lights to LED’s last year and I really do like the look and the savings. We replaced all of our bulbs with CLF’s but I too do not like the mercury content. I will probably change them out to LED as they need replacing. I know our electric company now provides rebates for the LED’s as well.
Pat
The price will have to go way down before I buy them, since I am frugal about keeping lights on anyway. I do plan on buying my Christmas lights in LED. So far, the LED’s I’ve seen are not as bright and I don’t like them, hopefully that will change.
Christie White
Up to 20 years longer than incandescent bulbs! Really? I’ve been hoping LED bulbs would come out for household use. I’ve always liked them in flashlights, etc.
Crystal
I just learned how much longer they last than the regular light bulbs. I’m trully impressed. Will have to check into these!!!! Thank you.
Sharon
I knew they had a longer lasting life but didn’t know it was as mcuh as 20 years or more. I would probably but them when the price is lower but right now, they are to costly for my budget
Crystal
These bulbs seem trully wonderful. Can’t wait to try them and see….maybe when the price drops a little more? I learned how they last so much longer than regular bulbs, and I’m really impressed!!
Allison
Thanks for the info!! Love that they are mercury free and no filament to burn out either! Will definitely buy and replace some hard to reach lights!!!
Kim
I didn’t know they lasted so long or that they were that efficient. I would buy some. We replaced with cfl bulbs in places that the bulbs had covers and didn’t worry about them breaking. LEDs are the answer for the other bulbs!
Amy Cummings
I started purchasing LED bulbs last Christmas for my lights and love the look and the cost savings. We updated our some light fixtures a couple years ago and at that time we purchased alot of CFL’s to replace our old bulbs and took advantage of the rebates our electric company was offering. I do not like that they contain mercury and will definitely start replacing them with LED and I see our electric company has starting giving rebates for these as well.
Katie
I lerned they last up to 20 years longer than incandescents. I can’t wait to get some in our house! Will have to see if our budget will handle it.